Illustration2002 KIA SPORTAGE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND HER SEAT BELT DID NO LOCK CAUSING INJURY TO HER CHEST. MANUFACTURER STATED AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BECAUSE FORCE WAS NOT SUFFICIENT. *KB
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.
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
290–25K
2825–50K
3950–75K
2075–100K
27100–150K
9150K+
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
What owners actually said
234 reportsCAR OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STALLED. CALLED 911 FOR HELP. GOT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. OUTCOME ENGINE REPLACED. *TR
I STARTED TAKING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE BACK. I TOOK IT IN AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IT WAS LOOSE SO HE KICKED IT WITH HIS FOOT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GOT A NEW MUFFLER AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT WAS THE DIFFERE…
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I STARTED TAKING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE TO THE DEALER AND IT HAD A CLUNKING SOUND IN THE BACK. I TOOK IT IN AND THE TECHNICIAN SAID HE THOUGHT IT WAS THE MUFFLER AND IT WAS LOOSE SO HE KICKED IT WITH HIS FOOT AND SENT ME ON MY WAY. I GOT A NEW MUFFLER AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL SHOP AND IT WAS THE DIFFERENTIAL FAILURE. IT ENDED UP COSTING ME OVER 2500. I HAD TO HAVE A NEW DIFFERENTIAL PUT IN AND IT EVERY ONCE IN AWHILE MAKES A CLUNKING NOISE WHEN YOU PUT THE TRANSMISSION IN GEAR. IF THE TECH WOULD HAVE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION IT WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY WARRANTY.I HAVE OWNED SEVERAL CARS IN MY LIFE AND NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN TO ANY OF THEM. I FEEL LIKE THE KIA PEOPLE SHOULD REIMBURSE ME FOR MY TIME AND MONEY!!! *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE ROARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,846 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.
ACTION # EA06-007-FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 7/03/07 COMPLAINING OF GAS ODOR. I WAS CHARGED TO FIX THE ROLL OVER VALVE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO BE LEAKING EXTERNALLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME ODOR COMPLAINT ON 8/8/07. THEY CLAIMED GAS WAS …
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ACTION # EA06-007-FUEL TANK LEAKAGE IN 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE ON 7/03/07 COMPLAINING OF GAS ODOR. I WAS CHARGED TO FIX THE ROLL OVER VALVE BECAUSE IT WAS SAID TO BE LEAKING EXTERNALLY. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME ODOR COMPLAINT ON 8/8/07. THEY CLAIMED GAS WAS FOUND ON THE SEAM OF THE TANK. THEY CLEANED THE TANK SEAM WHERE FUEL WAS GATHERED AND SHAMPOOED MY CARPET TO REMOVE ANY OTHER ODOR FREE OF CHARGE. MY CAR STILL HAD THE GAS ODOR. I WITNESSED GAS LEAKING FROM MY CAR ON 9/10/07 AND TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP. THEY FOUND THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING AND I WAS CHARGED TO HAVE THE FUEL TANK REPLACED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. HE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. HE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) WAS FOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE FAN SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.
TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME, 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OF. -PICKED UP PIECES OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE FAN BLADE FROM MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING INSIDE THE HOOD DISCOVERED LARGE HOLES IN RADIATOR-SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF FAN, BLADES…
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TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME, 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OF. -PICKED UP PIECES OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE FAN BLADE FROM MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING INSIDE THE HOOD DISCOVERED LARGE HOLES IN RADIATOR-SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF FAN, BLADES,CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RADIATOR-VEHICLE STILL NOT OPERABLE. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA 2 WEEKS LATER. VEHICLE THEN TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD ASSEMBLY BECAME WARPED DUE TO THE RADIATOR BEING DAMAGED BY THE FAULTY FAN. KIA MOTORS CLAIMED CASE WA S CLOSED, NO RESOLUTION RECEIVED. VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR THIS MATTER . *MC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE FAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAN TO CRACK AND STRIKE THE RADIATOR. THE HEAT ALSO CAUSED THE HEAD OF THE VALVES TO WARP. THE FAN WAS…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL REGARDING THE ENGINE FAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE BURST INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE BEGAN WHEN THE ENGINE OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSED THE FAN TO CRACK AND STRIKE THE RADIATOR. THE HEAT ALSO CAUSED THE HEAD OF THE VALVES TO WARP. THE FAN WAS PREVIOUSLY REPLACED. THIS FAILURE HAS OCCURRED TWICE. THE RECALL NUMBER THAT WAS REFERENCED WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 66,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE KIA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2007 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE KIA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2007 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.
Official recalls
107V161000 · 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
4EA07001 · 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.