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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

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

11 reports
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40,000 miles · Dec 13, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

DT: THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RPM GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, EITHER VERY HIGH OR NOT READING AT ALL WHEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, THE EXHAUST WAS GLOWING RED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EIGH…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY AND THE RPM GAUGE WAS READING INCORRECTLY, EITHER VERY HIGH OR NOT READING AT ALL WHEN THE SAME AMOUNT OF PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. ALSO, THE EXHAUST WAS GLOWING RED UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP EIGHT TIMES, AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSIS THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10145118

768 miles · Mar 29, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

2001 KIA SPORTAGE SUFFERED TWO COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES.*MR ALONG WITH THE ENGINE FAILURES, THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIO, BATTERY AND THE TERMINALS, FRONT BRAKES, A SENSOR KNOCK, EXHAUST SYSTEM, AIR CONDITION, VALVE COVER GASKET, FRONT WHEEL BEARINGS, FRONT PADS AND ROTORS, CRUISE CONTROL, AND A DEFECTIVE IDLER ARM. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10117452

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…

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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

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…

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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

37,000 miles · Aug 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY 2001 MANUAL KIA SPORTAGE CONVERTIBLE. I FIRST HAVE TROUBLE GETTING IT STARTED IN THE MORNING. AFTER I GET IT STARTED AND DRIVE IT A SHORT WHILE, THE CAR CUTS OUT ON ME. IT DOESN'T STALL, IT CUTS OUT AND THERE IS NO GAS WHEN I STEP ON THE PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPEN WHILE SHIFTING, WHILE ACCELERATING…

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I AM HAVING DIFFICULTY WITH MY 2001 MANUAL KIA SPORTAGE CONVERTIBLE. I FIRST HAVE TROUBLE GETTING IT STARTED IN THE MORNING. AFTER I GET IT STARTED AND DRIVE IT A SHORT WHILE, THE CAR CUTS OUT ON ME. IT DOESN'T STALL, IT CUTS OUT AND THERE IS NO GAS WHEN I STEP ON THE PEDAL. THIS HAS HAPPEN WHILE SHIFTING, WHILE ACCELERATING, WHILE ADJUSTING MY SPEED. AFTER IT CUTS OUT, I THEN HAVE DIFFICULTY GETTING IT STARTED AGAIN. SOMETIMES I HAVE TO STEP ON THE CLUTCH AND GAS PEDAL FOR THE CAR RPMS TO CATCH. AND THEN THE CAR MAY THEN CUT OUT AGAIN. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM HAS SINCE GOTTEN WORSE AND I HAVE BEEN PLACED IN DANGEROUS SITUATIONS IN MOVING TRAFFIC.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10030576

Mileage unknown · Oct 16, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE THROTTLE CABLE FELL OFF CAUSING LOST OF ACCELERATION. MR

NHTSA ODI #8020968

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2002
EquipmentUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING, I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BUT THE NEW ONE IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE WINDOW STRIPS ARE ALL TWISTED UP AND MAKE A ROARING SOUND WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BUT THEY STILL ROAR. THE DASH RATTLES, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. THE REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN. THE RADIO HAS STATIC MOST OF THE TIM…

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THE STEERING WHEEL IS PEELING, I HAVE HAD IT REPLACED BUT THE NEW ONE IS DOING THE SAME THING. THE WINDOW STRIPS ARE ALL TWISTED UP AND MAKE A ROARING SOUND WHEN I DRIVE. I HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED BUT THEY STILL ROAR. THE DASH RATTLES, BUT THEY DIDN'T FIX IT. THE REAR WINDOWS DO NOT ROLL DOWN. THE RADIO HAS STATIC MOST OF THE TIME. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO WANT TO GO WHEN I ACCELERATE. IT KIND OF SPUTTERS AND THEN GOES. THE BANDS SQUEAL BAD. THEY HAVE BEEN REPLACED BUT THEY STILL SQUEAL.

NHTSA ODI #762598

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2002
Engine And Engine CoolingService Brakes, HydraulicTires

SPEEDOMETER MALFUCTIONED/JUMPED AT APPROX. 30MPH TO 40 MPH THEN BACK DOWN TO 20 TOOK BACK 3X. SUV SHIMMIED AT 60+ MPH 3X'S TOOK BACK TO DEALER DEALER REPLACED TIRES, ELECTRIC BACK WINDOWS 3X'S TO DEALER REPLACED TWICE, WIRING ASSY-ENGINE, COIL IGNITION, CONV. ASSY-CAT. REPLACED (MAY HAVE CAUSED SPEEDOMETER , WINDOWS ETC TO OPER…

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SPEEDOMETER MALFUCTIONED/JUMPED AT APPROX. 30MPH TO 40 MPH THEN BACK DOWN TO 20 TOOK BACK 3X. SUV SHIMMIED AT 60+ MPH 3X'S TOOK BACK TO DEALER DEALER REPLACED TIRES, ELECTRIC BACK WINDOWS 3X'S TO DEALER REPLACED TWICE, WIRING ASSY-ENGINE, COIL IGNITION, CONV. ASSY-CAT. REPLACED (MAY HAVE CAUSED SPEEDOMETER , WINDOWS ETC TO OPERATE IMPROPERLY. R/R MAIN WIRE HARNESS, R/R BOTH CAT CONVERTORS, R/R COIL AND SPARK PLUGS, REPAIRED FUEL INJECTOR WIRE HARNESS. VEHICLE IDLED AT HIGH RPM (SUV POWER SURGED TO 80 MPH, THE SLOWEST I COULD GET THE VEHICLE TO GO WAS 40MPH AND HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. (THROTTLE CABLE IN WRONG POSS. AT THIS TIME TRANSMISSION IS STILL SLIPPING VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP PLUS I AM GOING THROUGH THE LEMON LAW AND BBAUTOLINE. THIS IS THE 10 DAY LIMIT. KIA HAS NOT BEEN VERY HOSPITABLE ABOUT THIS SITUATION, I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN THEIR VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #758735

Mileage unknown · Feb 11, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

AFTER DRIVING FOR SOME TIME AND COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP THE VEHICLE WILL HAVE TROUBLE ACCELERATING. CONSUMER WILL STEP ON GAS PEDAL, BUT VEHICLE WILL JUST DO NOTHING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #8003878

Mileage unknown · Jan 30, 2002
Vehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING 40MPH VEHICLE KEPT ACCELERATING ON ITS OWN. APPLIED BRAKES, BUT BRAKES WOULD NOT STOP VEHICLE .HAD TO USE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8003224

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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