I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4. PURCHASED IN APRIL 2004 WITH 3 YEARS & 50K MILES REMAINING ON WARRANTY. I TRAILERED MY BOAT TO THE LAKE AND AFTER LEAVING THE LAKE THE CAR DIED. TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED KIA DEALER,DICK HANNAH KIA, VANCOUVER,WA.98665 $161 TOW BILL! DIAGNOSIS WAS WATER IN THE GAS TANK!! TURNS OUT THERE IS A EVAPORATOR CHARCOAL CANISTER MOUNTED UNDER THE VEHICLE NEAR THE REAR BUMPER WHICH ALLOWED WATER INTO THE GAS SYSTEM. I AM NOW FACED WITH OVER $600 REPAIR FOR DRAINING THE TANK. MY CONTENTION IS THAT THIS IS A BAD DESIGN. NOWHERE IN THE OPERATORS MANUAL DOES IT STATE TO AVOID TRAILERING A BOAT BECAUSE IT MAY SUCK UP THE LAKE WATER! THIS SUV CAME WITH A TRAILER HITCH WHEN PURCHASED AND KIA NEEDS TO STEP UP AND COVER THIS DESIGN DEFECT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK
