The Lemon Index2000 Kia Sportage.
The 2000 Kia Sportage is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 145 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 211, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about brakes, it has 4 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Kia Sportage year is 2010.
Lemon alert. 2.1× the average car's complaints.
Best year 2010
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 304 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sportage year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 41K to 102K miles on the car (154 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 62K–97K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 10K–52K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 21K–81K miles
Recalls 4
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- seat belts 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Show all 4 recalls
- electrical 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 13 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Information on the sportage engine cover
- MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in…
- MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFuel tank leakage2006–2007
- ClosedFuel tank leakage2006
- ClosedSeat belt buckle false latch/malfunction2004
- ClosedSeat belt buckle false latch/malfunction2003–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Exhaust leaks at gasket, wires shorting in harness to alternator both fixed under warranty.
2000 Kia Sportage owner · NHTSA complaint 10010504
More owner reports
Between 1,500-2,000 miles consumer notices a grinding noise coming from the brakes. The dealership has replaced the brakes.
NHTSA complaint 10044405
Consumer stated that water and airflow was entering inside the vehicle, dealer replaced weather strip, which caused passenger door to adjar, adjusted striker and door still is not closing properly.
NHTSA complaint 564223
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Kia Sportage reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.1× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 211; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sportage year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2000 Kia Sportage problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (23%), engine (22%) and transmission & drivetrain (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sportage have?
4 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Kia Sportage get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Kia Sportage problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 41,900 and 102,200 miles. The middle report was at 70,800 miles, from 154 complaints.
Does the 2000 Kia Sportage have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Kia Sportage cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Kia Sportage have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Sportage year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2022 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works