← New search

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.

About this comparison →

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

Electrical System complaints

23 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2001 KIA SPORTAGE, STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET A FULL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE IDLER WAS DEFECTIVE, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED, WHICH WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE BATTERY TERMINALS, THE RADIO, FONT BRAKES EXHAUST SYSTEM, AIR CONDITION VAL…

Read full complaint

2001 KIA SPORTAGE, STOPPED DEAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY. *BF THE CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO GET A FULL ALIGNMENT BECAUSE THE IDLER WAS DEFECTIVE, ON 2 OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START AND IT HAD TO BE JUMP STARTED, WHICH WAS DUE TO DEFECTIVE BATTERY TERMINALS, THE RADIO, FONT BRAKES EXHAUST SYSTEM, AIR CONDITION VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARING, CRUISE CONTROL WERE ALL INOPERATIVE, THE VEHICLE HAS HAD 2 ENGINE REPLACEMENTS, AND THE DRIVE BELTS WERE OUT OF TENSION. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10115127

103,650 miles · Jan 9, 2005
Electrical System

MY KIA SPORTAGE 4WD JUST RECENTLY TRIPPED 100,000 AND NOW EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE GOING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE FIRST DAY IT STRUGGLED ONLY AT START OFF ACCELERATION AND UP HILLS. THE SECOND DAY IT STALLED WHILE BEING STARTED AND STRUGGLED AT ACCELERATION EVEN ON …

Read full complaint

MY KIA SPORTAGE 4WD JUST RECENTLY TRIPPED 100,000 AND NOW EVERYTHING APPEARS TO BE GOING WRONG. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN LOSING POWER. THE FIRST DAY IT STRUGGLED ONLY AT START OFF ACCELERATION AND UP HILLS. THE SECOND DAY IT STALLED WHILE BEING STARTED AND STRUGGLED AT ACCELERATION EVEN ON FLAT HIGHWAY. NOW, JUST 5 DAYS LATER, IT WON'T GO ABOVE 40MPH AND LOSES POWER WHEN YOU APPLY THE GAS PEDAL. THERE IS A STRONG BURNT RUBBER SMELL THAT WE'VE NOTICED FOR SOME TIME. THE FIRST TIME WE NOTICED IT, THE DEALERSHIP SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. NOW WE ARE OUT OF WARRANTY. NOT ONLY IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, BUT TODAY, THE HOLD LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. ACCORDING TO THE BOOK, THIS DEPICTS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED A PHONE CALL IN RETURN. I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR TO WORK, WHICH PUTS STRAIN ON MY FAMILY AND MY SELF. BEING PREGNANT, I NEED MY OWN VEHICLE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10106022

768 miles · Nov 5, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND A/C FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO ENGINES WITHIN A 40000 MILE USAGE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD ON A VERY BUSY US ROUTE 1 HWY. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED A TRAFFIC TIE UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A AIR CONDITIONING, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, VALVE COVER GA…

Read full complaint

VEHICLE'S ENGINE AND A/C FAILED. *NM THE CONSUMER HAD TO REPLACE TWO ENGINES WITHIN A 40000 MILE USAGE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED DEAD ON A VERY BUSY US ROUTE 1 HWY. THE SUDDEN STOP CAUSED A TRAFFIC TIE UP AND THE VEHICLE WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED BY A AIR CONDITIONING, THE VEHICLE NEEDED A COMPLETE ENGINE REPLACEMENT, VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, DRIVE BELTS OUT OF TENSION, CRUISE CONTROL, V BELTS REPLACED, BRAKES AND ROTORS, EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10101096

39,593 miles · Jul 14, 2004
Electrical SystemPower Train

THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AT TIMES AND KEPT BLOWING FUSES.. DEALER FOUND PROBLEM TO BE IN THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR. ALSO IN 10/03, ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LATE, MY TRUCK STULLED ON ME, AND THE SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR MAIN SEAL (X3). THEY HAVE ALS…

Read full complaint

THE TRUCK WOULD NOT START AT TIMES AND KEPT BLOWING FUSES.. DEALER FOUND PROBLEM TO BE IN THE ENGINE HARNESS CONNECTOR. ALSO IN 10/03, ONE NIGHT WHILE I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK LATE, MY TRUCK STULLED ON ME, AND THE SHIFTER WAS VERY LOOSE, TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND REAR MAIN SEAL (X3). THEY HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE CAT.CONVERTOR X3, TIMING BELT DUE TO ABNORMAL STRECHING,AND 2 IGNITION COILS.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10081035

Mileage unknown · May 24, 2004
Electrical System

WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO TURN ON. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED KIAS ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT, AND TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED A WIRE FROM THE ELECTRICAL KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED THE KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE. THEN, CONSUMER WAS ABLE …

Read full complaint

WHILE STARTING UP THE VEHICLE IT FAILED TO TURN ON. CONSUMER TRIED NUMEROUS TIMES BUT VEHICLE WAS INOPERATIVE. CONSUMER CONTACTED KIAS ROAD SIDE ASSISTANT, AND TECHNICIAN DISCONNECTED A WIRE FROM THE ELECTRICAL KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM. THIS CAUSED THE KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM TO DEACTIVATE. THEN, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO START THE VEHICLE. SINCE THEN CONSUMER HAD NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER, AND WAS ADVISED TO KEEP THE KYLAS REMOTE CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10074175

76,000 miles · Mar 10, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, Hydraulic

2001 KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 WITH 76K MILES. WITHIN THE LAST 3 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES TOTALLY REPLACED, ALTERNATOR AND 2 BELTS REPLACED, MUFFLER TAILPIPE RUSTED THRU, AND BOTH FRONT BEARING HUBS NEED TO BE REPLACED (WOBBLY).*AK

NHTSA ODI #10061824

25,000 miles · Sep 30, 2003
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL LIGHT ENGAGED BY ITSELF, WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*…

Read full complaint

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED AND CAUSED SEVERAL COMPONENTS TO MALFUNCTION. THE HAZARD WARNING SIGNAL LIGHT ENGAGED BY ITSELF, WHICH CAUSED A REAR END COLLISION AND DRAINED THE BATTERY. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED BECAUSE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10041951

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2003
Electrical SystemEquipmentExterior Lighting

THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WINDOWS WHICH CAUSED THEM NOT TO WORK, THE PURGE VALVE LEAKED, THE HOLD LIGHT FLASHED AT TIMES, THE LEFT REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE D…

Read full complaint

THE AIR CONDITION WAS NOT COOLING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND IT WAS DETERMINED THE GAS CAP WAS LOOSE, THERE WAS AN ELECTRICAL SHORT IN THE WINDOWS WHICH CAUSED THEM NOT TO WORK, THE PURGE VALVE LEAKED, THE HOLD LIGHT FLASHED AT TIMES, THE LEFT REAR DOOR DID NOT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE, IT WAS DISCOVERED THE DOOR LOCK WAS OUT OF ADJUSTMENT, THE CUP HOLDER WAS COMING APART, THE BRAKES WERE NOISY AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10006071

Mileage unknown · Jan 21, 2003
Electrical System

VEHICLE WILL HEAVILY JERK AND THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL COME ON AND STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME VEHICLE IS BEING OPERATED.DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

NHTSA ODI #10004213

Mileage unknown · Jan 8, 2003
Electrical System

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN, THE CAR HIT BUMP AND THE LIGHTS WENT DIM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPED WORKING, RADIO WENT OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN CAR REFUSED TO GO, ALMOST CAUSED WRECK. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCURANCE, CONTACTED DEALER. THEY KEPT TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULD NOT FIN…

Read full complaint

DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AT NIGHT IN THE RAIN, THE CAR HIT BUMP AND THE LIGHTS WENT DIM, WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPED WORKING, RADIO WENT OFF, INTERIOR LIGHTS DIM, AIR BAG LIGHT FLASHING ON AND OFF, THEN CAR REFUSED TO GO, ALMOST CAUSED WRECK. THIS WAS THE 2ND OCCURANCE, CONTACTED DEALER. THEY KEPT TRUCK FOR A WEEK AND STILL COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. JUST HAPPENED AGAIN TONIGHT(1-8-03) NO BUMP WAS HIT.

NHTSA ODI #10000836

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.

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems