IllustrationWHILE DRIVING 70 MPH PASSENGER REAR SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *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 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
THE LAST DRIVER SIDE WINDOW ON THE CORNER OF THE TRUCK SEPARATED WHILE DRIVING AND FELL ONTO THE HIGHWAY. *AK
FOR A PERIOD OF 30-45 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S CABIN. A COMPANY NAMED GREEN CIRCLE TESTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE. PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES WHILE IN THE VEHICLE, AND DRIVER SOMETIMES BECAME DIZZY. DEALER REPLACED THE CATA…
Read full complaint
FOR A PERIOD OF 30-45 MINUTES AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE GASOLINE AND EXHAUST FUMES ENTERED THE PASSENGER'S CABIN. A COMPANY NAMED GREEN CIRCLE TESTED THE VEHICLE, WHICH TESTED POSITIVE FOR CARBON MONOXIDE. PASSENGERS COMPLAINED OF HEADACHES WHILE IN THE VEHICLE, AND DRIVER SOMETIMES BECAME DIZZY. DEALER REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TWICE, INTAKE MANIFOLD ONCE, AND FUEL INJECTORS ONCE. THESE REPAIRS DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK *MR
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
FOR ABOUT A YEAR NOW REAR WINDOWS WOULD NOT PROPERLY FUNCTION. IF THE WINDOWS WERE ALL THE WAY UP THERE WAS NO WAY TO GET THEM TO GO DOWN. ALSO, FRONT WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED OPERATING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. *NM
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE ON MY KIA WILL SIMPLY STOP. THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME - SHORT TRIPS, LONG TRIPS, HIGHWAYS, BACK ROADS, THERE IS NO COMMON DENOMINATOR WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP NUMBEROUS TIMES - IT WAS THERE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LAST WEEK, AND WAS AGAIN T…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE ON MY KIA WILL SIMPLY STOP. THERE IS NO WARNING WHATSOEVER, AND THIS HAPPENS AT ANY TIME - SHORT TRIPS, LONG TRIPS, HIGHWAYS, BACK ROADS, THERE IS NO COMMON DENOMINATOR WHATSOEVER. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP NUMBEROUS TIMES - IT WAS THERE MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY LAST WEEK, AND WAS AGAIN TOWED THERE SUNDAY NIGHT WHERE IT IS STILL THERE. EACH TIME THEY GIVE ME MY CAR BACK SAYING THEY CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT, BUT THE PROBLEM KEEPS OCCURING. I WORK ON THE ROAD AND I'M TERRIFIED TO DRIVE THIS CAR - AFRAID THAT SOMEDAY I WON'T BE ABLE TO GET TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WHEN IT DIES THE NEXT TIME. THE KIA SERVICE ADVISOR TRIES TO HELP, BUT THE PROBLEM IS NOT GETTING FIXED AND I'M TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN TALK TO. AT THIS POINT I DON'T WANT THE CAR BACK UNTIL IT'S REPAIRED, OR REPLACED WITH A SIMILAR VEHICLE. I CURRENTLY OWE MORE THAN IT'S WORTH IN THE BLUE BOOK, OTHERWISE I'D TRADE IT IN.
WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2003 AND THE CLUTCH REPLACED IN APRIL 2003. THE CLUTCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE PAID TOTAL COST $366.76. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD. THIS WILL BE THE 6TH PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER OF 2002: (1) C…
Read full complaint
WE HAD THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2003 AND THE CLUTCH REPLACED IN APRIL 2003. THE CLUTCH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. WE PAID TOTAL COST $366.76. THE TRANSMISSION HAS NOW GONE OUT AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION IS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD. THIS WILL BE THE 6TH PROBLEM WE HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR SINCE OCTOBER OF 2002: (1) CLUTCH SWITCH OCT 2002 (2) EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKED APR 2003 (3) PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP APR 2003 (4) TRANSMISSION FAILURE APRIL 2003 (5) CLUTCH FAILURE APRIL 2003 (6) TRANSMISSION FAILURE JUNE 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER CRESTED A HILL TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH A TRUCK MAKING A TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. MANUF…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH CONSUMER CRESTED A HILL TO COME FACE TO FACE WITH A TRUCK MAKING A TURN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. CONSUMER PRESSED THE BRAKES WITH CONSIDERABLE FORCE AND THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED. THE SEAT BELT LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ON WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAD BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST FIVE TIMES. MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*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.