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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

Visibility complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 1, 2002
Visibility

THE GLASS PORTION (ONLY) OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN AND THE DEALER ADVISES THAT REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WHICH THE DEALER SAYS MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350 INCLUDING PAINTING OF THE MIRROR SURROUND. I LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND FIND THAT THE…

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THE GLASS PORTION (ONLY) OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS BROKEN AND THE DEALER ADVISES THAT REPLACEMENT IS AVAILABLE ONLY AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY WHICH THE DEALER SAYS MUST BE PURCHASED AS A COMPLETE ASSEMBLY AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $350 INCLUDING PAINTING OF THE MIRROR SURROUND. I LOOKED AT THE UNIT AND FIND THAT THE MIRROR GLASS IS BONDED TO A BLACK PLASTIC BACKING THAT SNAPS IN PLACE. THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN TO PAD THE BILL FOR THE ENTIRE UNIT TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER WILL NOT SHOW US THE PARTS FICHE AND KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE IS NON-RESPONSIVE. CAN YOU PROVIDE A COPY OF THE PARTS BOOK BREAKDOWN OF THE LEFT OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR FOR THIS VEHICLE? I WILL APPRECIATE IT AND WILL THEN BE ABLE TO REPLACE THE BROKEN MIRROR AND RESTORE THIS IMPORTANT SAFETY FEATURE AT A REASONABLE COST. I CAN SEE NO REASON FOR THE BROKEN PART TO COST, AT RETAIL, MORE THAN $35 AND THE INSTALLATION LABOR IS INCIDENTAL AS IT ONLY INVOLVES SNAPPING IT IN PLACE. THANK YOU VERY MUCH. DT

NHTSA ODI #769168

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 · Jan 2, 2002
Power TrainVisibility

WHILE DRIVING, GEAR SHIFT AUTOMATICALLY POPS INTO ANOTHER GEAR. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE IS WIND NOISE COMING FROM ALL FOUR DOORS. *YD

NHTSA ODI #8001369

Mileage unknown · Dec 31, 2001
Visibility

POWER WINDOWS IN REAR ON BOTH LEFT AND RIGHT HAVE STOP WORKING FROM TIME TO TIME.*AK

NHTSA ODI #756232

Mileage unknown · Nov 5, 2001
Visibility

I WAS TOLD BEFORE PURCHASING THE KIA-THAT THE 5-YR WARRANTY COVERS BUMPER-TO-BUMPER. THE WINDSHIELD SMASHED WITH LITTLE IMPACT WHEN A LARGE SOFT INFLATABLE BALL HIT THE ANTENNA. THE WINDSHIELD HAS A MANUFACTURED UNSAFE DEFECT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754125

Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2001
Visibility

MOTOR POWERED REGULATOR WINDOWS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN VEHICLE 6 TIMES SINCE APRIL 2001.*AK *SLC

NHTSA ODI #897711

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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