IllustrationVEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A ROUTINE INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FLUID WAS LEAKING FROM UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE, AND THAT THE HEAD GASKET NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Sportage years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
190–25K
3025–50K
2650–75K
2375–100K
19100–150K
8150K+
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
What owners actually said
228 reportsWHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSP…
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WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED THEM. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CORRODED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMERO…
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CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE AND DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT WEBBING WAS CORRODED. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND DETERMINED THAT THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. *AK
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHIMMIED AND VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STARTING UP AS WELL AS STALLING. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DROPPING WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A TUNE UP BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CONSUMER HIT A BUMP AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORM…
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PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE STARTING UP AS WELL AS STALLING. *MR THE VEHICLE WAS HARD TO START AND THE GAS MILEAGE WAS DROPPING WAY DOWN AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A TUNE UP BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY, THE CONSUMER HIT A BUMP AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE SERVICED. THE FILLER NECK RUSTED AND THE FUEL CAP WAS LEAKING. THE FILLER NECK WAS REPLACED, BUT IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE PROBLEM RECURRED. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS WORN AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. *SC *JB
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…
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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
CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO THE DEALER AFTER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ENGINE COIL BECAME DEFECTIVE, AND BROKE INTO TWO PARTS. DEALER CONTACTED THE CONSUMER TO INFORM HIM THAT THEY REPLACED THE COIL WITH THE SAME ONE THAT CAME OUT OF THE VEHICLE. *AK
ON JULY 7TH, MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARRIS KIA IN LANSDALE BECAUSE THE 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS VIBRATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AFTER ONLY 19,000 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ROTORS SHOULD LAST 60,000 MILES. KIA HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THESE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND S…
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ON JULY 7TH, MY VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HARRIS KIA IN LANSDALE BECAUSE THE 2001 KIA SPORTAGE WAS VIBRATING WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WAS FOUND THAT BOTH FRONT ROTORS WERE WARPED AFTER ONLY 19,000 MILES. UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS, ROTORS SHOULD LAST 60,000 MILES. KIA HAS SERIOUS PROBLEM, THESE ROTORS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY.*AK
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 …
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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
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
Official recalls
0No 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
2EA06007 · 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.