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2001 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

125 reports with mileage · 103 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

25 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

20 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2010
Air BagsElectrical SystemInterior Lighting

USED CAR DEALER SOLD A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 7/3/10. JULY 5, 2010, THEY FIXED THE BACK 2 WINDOWS CAUSING CAR ALARM TO GO OFF WHEN YOU GET IN AND WHEN YOU GET OUT, THEY DISABLED THE CAR ALARM NOW CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, THE DOOR DON'T SOUND WHEN YOU OPEN IT, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK THE WAY THEY …

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USED CAR DEALER SOLD A CAR WITH ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS ON 7/3/10. JULY 5, 2010, THEY FIXED THE BACK 2 WINDOWS CAUSING CAR ALARM TO GO OFF WHEN YOU GET IN AND WHEN YOU GET OUT, THEY DISABLED THE CAR ALARM NOW CAUSING THE AIR BAG LIGHT TO BE ON ALL THE TIME, THE DOOR DON'T SOUND WHEN YOU OPEN IT, THE LOCKS DON'T WORK THE WAY THEY SHOULD, DOOM LIGHT DON'T WORK SEAT BELT DON'T SOUND TO REMIND YOU TO PUT THEM ON. SHOULD YOU DRIVE A VEHICLE WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10345697

Mileage unknown · Nov 9, 2007
Air Bags

2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH NO AIRBAG. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OUT BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS MISSING WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE HORN AND FOUND THE LEATHER WAS NOT FIRM, AND WHEN SHE PRESSED HARDER, IT LEFT A CIRCULAR INDENTATION WHERE THE AIR BAG SH…

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2001 KIA SPORTAGE WITH NO AIRBAG. CUSTOMER STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP TOOK THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG OUT BEFORE THEY SOLD THE VEHICLE. *KB THE CONSUMER REALIZED THE AIR BAG WAS MISSING WHEN SHE WENT TO USE THE HORN AND FOUND THE LEATHER WAS NOT FIRM, AND WHEN SHE PRESSED HARDER, IT LEFT A CIRCULAR INDENTATION WHERE THE AIR BAG SHOULD HAVE BEEN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10208385

82,000 miles · May 2, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

ON APRIL 24, 2005 COLUMBUS OHIO HAD POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS ;SNOW AND ICY RAIN. I WAS TRAVELING ON S.R. 104 EXITING ON HIGH ST. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND FISH TAILED MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER. THE FRONT BUMPER HAD HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND WAS ACTUALLY OFF THE CAR BY THE TIME I …

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ON APRIL 24, 2005 COLUMBUS OHIO HAD POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS ;SNOW AND ICY RAIN. I WAS TRAVELING ON S.R. 104 EXITING ON HIGH ST. I APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND FISH TAILED MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. I HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND THE CAR ROLLED OVER. THE FRONT BUMPER HAD HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND WAS ACTUALLY OFF THE CAR BY THE TIME I UPRIGHTED THE VEHICLE AGAIN. THE KIA SPORTAGE IS EQUIPPED WITH 3 AIRBAGS;THE FRONT DRIVER FRONT PASSENGER AND A DRIVER KNEE AIRBAG, NONE OF WHICH DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR WAS OFF THE CAR AS WELL WHEN I UPRIGHTED, AND AGAIN, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS, INCLUDING THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED. MY 2 YEAR OLD SON WAS ALSO IN THE CAR, IN A CARSEAT IN THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE. HE THANKFULLY SUFFERED NO INJURY, BUT THAT PART OF THE CAR RECIEVED THE LEAST DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #10118804

40,000 miles · Dec 28, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35 MPH. TWO VEHICLES IN FRONT OF ME COLLIDED AND THEN BOTH SLID INTO ME HEAD ON. DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE WAS IN EXCESS OF $5,000. NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED MINOR SOFT TISSUE INJURIES. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10104663

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2004
Air BagsCrash

I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROX. 10-15 MILES AN HOUR. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS SMASHED AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IN THE BEGINNING THAT THE AIRBAG MISFIRED AND WENT OFF INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. NOW THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME WETHER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OR NOT AND THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE EVEN GOI…

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I REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR ON THE HIGHWAY GOING APPROX. 10-15 MILES AN HOUR. THE AIRBAG SENSOR WAS SMASHED AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I WAS TOLD IN THE BEGINNING THAT THE AIRBAG MISFIRED AND WENT OFF INSIDE THE DASHBOARD. NOW THEY ARE UNABLE TO TELL ME WETHER THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED OR NOT AND THEY DO NOT KNOW IF THEY ARE EVEN GOING TO FIX THEM. I AM LIVID!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10072946

60,000 miles · Apr 19, 2004
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE BY A VEHICLE GOING 55 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DRIVER SUSTAINED A BROKEN ANGLE, A SPRAINED WRIST, AND POSSIBLE HEAD INJURIES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10067347

103,280 miles · Nov 20, 2003
Air Bags

THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED AND SOLD TO THE CONSUMER WITHOUT AIR BAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *PH

NHTSA ODI #10048420

14,000 miles · Jul 25, 2003
Air BagsTiresCrashInjury

THE VEHICLE VEERED TO THE RIGHT AND FLIPPED OVER THREE TIMES. THE AIR BAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. *MR *CB *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10031548

44,000 miles · Jun 20, 2003
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

TRAVELING AT 60 MPH, I HYDROPLANED AND LOST CONTROL OF MY 2001 KIA SPORTAGE, IMPACTING A BARRICADE WITH THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE AND THE SEAT BELT DID NOT KEEP ME RESTRAINED ALLOWING MY HEAD TO IMPACT THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10023466

30,000 miles · May 2, 2003
Air BagsSeatsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPORTAGE 2001 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT BROKE THE BACK SUPPORT OF MY SEAT. THE TRUCK FORCED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT I CRUMBLED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE. IN ALL 5 VEHICLES RECEIVED DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY SEAT BROKE AND MY AI…

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I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPORTAGE 2001 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT BROKE THE BACK SUPPORT OF MY SEAT. THE TRUCK FORCED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT I CRUMBLED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE. IN ALL 5 VEHICLES RECEIVED DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY SEAT BROKE AND MY AIRBAGS INCLUDING A KNEE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH TO THE NECK AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT LEG. I FEEL THAT HAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE DAMAGE TO MY LEG. ALSO I BELIEVE HAD MY SEAT BACK SUPPORT STAYED UPRIGHT I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE INJURIES AS BAD. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10016912

Official recalls

0

No recalls in this snapshot.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA06007 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened May 9, 2006 · Closed Nov 30, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

RQ03007 · Seat Belt Buckle False Latch/malfunction

Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Feb 27, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY KIA TO IMPROVE THE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLY.MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT DESIGN LATCH ASSEMBLIES (TYPE DB-6 OR AUTOLIV) AND EXHIBIT A MUCH LOWER COMPLAINT COUNT.THIS RQ HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN EA IN ORDER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TYPE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLIES.

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