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2002 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 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

152 reports with mileage · 82 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.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 69 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports6 fire reports7 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

16 reports
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34,000 miles · Nov 30, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingExterior Lighting

THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGH…

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THE LEFT FRONT ROTORS WERE DEFECTIVE. THIS WAS DISCOVERED DURING VEHICLE INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT LEAST TWENTY TIMES FOR OTHER DEFECTS. NO SERVICE FOR THE BRAKES. *AK THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING IN THE SHOCK ARMS, A PROBLEM WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, RATTLING IN THE EXHAUST SYSTEM, LICENSE PLATE LIGHTS WERE INOPERATIVE DUE TO ROTTED SOCKETS, WHEEL BEARINGS WERE EXTREMELY LOOSE, PULLING TO THE RIGHT, THE RIGHT REAR POWER WINDOW WAS INOPERATIVE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON POSSIBLY DUE TO A SMALL LEAK OR A LOOSE GAS CAP, TRANSMISSION HANG UP WHEN COLD, BAD FRONT BRAKES, CRACK IN DASH, CUP HOLDER WAS BROKEN, TAILPIPE RUSTED AND FELL OFF, WHEN THE HEATER AND DEFROST WAS ON THE A/C WOULD COME ON, THE CONSUMER WOULD GET SHOCK WHEN EXITING THE VEHICLE, INTERMITTENTLY BOTH REAR WINDOW WOULD NOT GO UP OR DOWN, AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WAS TOTALLY INOPERATIVE. (THERE WAS NO POWER WHEN GOING UP HILL) *SC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10097870

7,685 miles · Jan 7, 2004
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

ENGINE LIGHT/FAN RELAY AR SHOOK UPON BEING TURNED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASSIONS PRIOR TO ENGING LIGHT COMING ON. CAR TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS SCAN SHOWED RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE #301 & #1. FOUND WATER AND CORROSION ON PLUGS AND WIRE ARCING. INGINITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. CAR RETURNED A DAY AND HALF AFTER TAKEN IN FOR SERV…

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ENGINE LIGHT/FAN RELAY AR SHOOK UPON BEING TURNED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASSIONS PRIOR TO ENGING LIGHT COMING ON. CAR TAKEN IN FOR REPAIRS SCAN SHOWED RANDOM CYLINDER MISFIRE #301 & #1. FOUND WATER AND CORROSION ON PLUGS AND WIRE ARCING. INGINITION WIRES AND SPARK PLUGS REPLACED. CAR RETURNED A DAY AND HALF AFTER TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE ALTHOUGH I HAD BEEN TOLD THAT IT WOULD NOT BE AVAILABLE TO ME FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS WHEREAS I COMPLAINED AND AFTER A MOMENT OF BEING PUT ON HOLD WAS TOLD CAR WAS REPAIRED AND I COULD COME PICK IT UP. AFTER I PICKED UP CAR NOTICED HEAT IN CAR WAS NOT OPERATING ALTHOUGH OPERATIONAL WHEN CAR TAKEN IN FOR SERVICE. RETURNED CAR TO DEALER TO REPAIR HEATING SYSTEM. DEALER FOUND FAN RELAY BURNT. LEFT CAR AT DEALER ENTIRE DAY, PROBLEM NOT REPAIRED. PICKED UP VEHICLE W/O REPAIR BEING DONE. THEN NOTED ALL POWER WINDOWS NOT OPERATIONAL. CALLED DEALER AND CORPORATE HEADQUATERS TO COMPLAIN OF ISSUES AND NEED FOR PROPER WORKING VEHICLE. SINCE THEN REPEATED CALLS TO DEALER HAVE NOT PROVIDED POSITIVE RESULTS. DEALER HAS REPEATEDLY STATED THAT PART WAS SCHEDULED TO ARRIVE WHEN IN FACT WRONG PART WAS REPEATEDLY BEING ORDERED INCORRECTLY AS STATED BY CORPORATE HOUSE. CORPORATE HOUSE IMPLORED UPON DEALER TO LOCATE LOANER VEHICLE UNTIL ISSUE RESOLVED. NO LOANER VEHICLE HAS BEEN RECEIVED BY ME AS OF YET. CAR STILL HAS NO HEAT OR OPERATIONAL WINDOWS. PURCHASING A PORTABLE CAR HEATER DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT IS WINTER AND THE TEMPERTURE HAS FALLEN DRAMATICALLYAND IS GOING TO DROP EVEN FURTHER. NOT HAVING OPERATIONAL WINDOW INCONVENIECE SINCE I MUST PAY A TOLL EVERYDAY AND MUST OPEN MY DOOR IN ORDER TO PAY TOLL OPERATOR.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10052597

13,000 miles · Nov 10, 2003
Electrical System

VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE HARNESS WHICH HELD THE ALTERNATOR WAS MELTED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10046687

5,699 miles · Sep 2, 2003
Electrical SystemService Brakes, HydraulicStructure

CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2003 ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THAT TIME. THE FAULTY ROTORS CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE AT 5699 MILES AND AGAIN AT 8694 MILES. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED ALL THE DOORS LOCKED, BUT WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE THE LOCKS WORKED I…

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CONSUMER STATES THAT SINCE BUYING THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY OF 2003 ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE IN THAT TIME. THE FAULTY ROTORS CAUSED VIBRATION WHILE BRAKING. THE ROTORS WERE REPLACED ONCE AT 5699 MILES AND AGAIN AT 8694 MILES. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS STARTED ALL THE DOORS LOCKED, BUT WHEN IT WAS DAMP OUTSIDE THE LOCKS WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE DRIVER'S SIDE WIPER WASHER WAS NOT WORKING AS WELL AS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE DEALER READJUSTED IT. THERE WAS A RATTLING IN THE DASH ON THE DRIVERS SIDE BELOW THE AIR VENT. *AK *PH *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10032179

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016079

Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2002
Electrical SystemSteeringStructure

DOOR STAYS AJAR. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT DOOR IS NOT OFF LINE, YET DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.*AK NOW HORN HAS FAILED, SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM ACTS ERRATICLY, THE RIGHT SIDE HOOD IF OFFLINE AND IS BENT CAUSING THE HOOD TO INTRUDE OUTWARD TOWARDS THE FRONT FENDER, AND THE DRIVER SIDE BACK WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. *T…

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DOOR STAYS AJAR. MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER THAT DOOR IS NOT OFF LINE, YET DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.*AK NOW HORN HAS FAILED, SECURITY ALARM SYSTEM ACTS ERRATICLY, THE RIGHT SIDE HOOD IF OFFLINE AND IS BENT CAUSING THE HOOD TO INTRUDE OUTWARD TOWARDS THE FRONT FENDER, AND THE DRIVER SIDE BACK WINDOW WILL NOT MOVE UP OR DOWN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #8005631

Official recalls

1

07V161000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

Apr 16, 2007

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN INCLUDING ITS RETAINING RING, WHICH STRESSES THE POLYPROPYLENE THEREBY INITIATING CRACKING OF THE BLADES. THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADE(S) CAN CREATE A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

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

4

EA07001 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation

Opened Jan 22, 2007 · Closed Apr 16, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL.KIA'S DEFECT REPORT STATES, ...HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN...INITIATING CRACKS IN THE FAN.THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS...KIA ESTIMATES APPROXIMATELY 35,090 VEHICLES WILL BE SUBJECT TO THE RECALL, AS SOME OF THE 46,887 VEHICLES PRODUCED HAVE ALREADY HAD THE FAN REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.KIA DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORIGINAL VERSION OF THE FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL.THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042 AND UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS EA07-001 ON JANUARY 22, 2007.PLEASE SEE NHTSA RECALL 07V161 FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION

PE06042 · Fan Blade Cracking/separation

Opened Sep 21, 2006 · Closed Jan 22, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

THE INVESTIGATION OF ENGINE COOLING FANS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042.THE BASIS FOR OPENING WAS 10 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FAN BLADE CRACKING AND BLADE SEPARATION.SIX OF THE REPORTS INDICATED THE SEPARATED FAN BLADES CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT COMPONENTS.KIA HAS PROVIDED ADDITIONAL CONSUMER REPORTS AND INFORMATION IN ITS RESPONSE TO PE06-042.THE INVESTIGATION HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA07-001) TO CONTINUE TO ASSESS THE CONSEQUENCE OF FAN BLADE SEPARATION IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.

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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