IllustrationCRACKED COOLING FAN MADE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *AK
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 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: FANS). THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEN THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FEE OF $100 PER HOUR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAV…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: FANS). THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEN THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FEE OF $100 PER HOUR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE BLADES ON HIS COOLING FAN BEGAN TO COME OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO; RECENTLY A SAFETY RECALL (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM FAN - 07V161000) WAS RECIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON T…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE BLADES ON HIS COOLING FAN BEGAN TO COME OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO; RECENTLY A SAFETY RECALL (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM FAN - 07V161000) WAS RECIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 93,314. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.
2002 KIA SPORTAGE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FAN WAS BROKEN BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT. ONE OF THE BLADES WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND SHOULD KIA PAY FOR IT**CC *TR
2002 KIA SPORTAGE ENGINE COOLING FAN BUSTED INTO PIECES AND ONE OF THE BLADES SHOT THROUGH MY RADIATOR. I CONTACTED KIA AND THEY RAN MY VIN NUMBER THROUGH THEIR SYSTEMS AND IT IS NOT PART OF THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN 07V161000, EVEN THOUGH IT APPEARS TO BE EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAN BLADE WAS IN 5 PIECES. THE PIECES HAD GONE INTO THE RADIATOR AND BROKE THE FAN SHROUD. STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR. *TR
2002 KIA SPORTAGE, IN FEBRUARY '07 WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO WENT OUT, & WITH THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FAILING. PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF. ATTEMPTED V TO RESTART, THE CAR DID NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED & MANUALLY CHECKED BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY, AND TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR FURT…
Read full complaint
2002 KIA SPORTAGE, IN FEBRUARY '07 WHILE DRIVING THE RADIO WENT OUT, & WITH THE DASH BOARD LIGHTS FAILING. PULLED OVER, TURNED CAR OFF. ATTEMPTED V TO RESTART, THE CAR DID NOT START. HAD CAR TOWED & MANUALLY CHECKED BATTERY THINKING THAT WAS THE PROBLEM. NEXT DAY CAR STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY, AND TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR FURTHER CHECK-UP. THE DEALERSHIP CHARGED ME $248 FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST & THEN PLACEMENT OF A NEW BATTERY, WHICH WAS SAID TO BE THE CAUSE. WEEKS LATER ON MARCH 31 CAR DID THE SAME WITH THE RADIO AND THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS. THE CAR JERKED ABOUT 30 MILES. WHEN I WOULD PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IT SEEMED TO REGAIN ITS STRENGTH, BUT ONCE I CONTINUED TO DRIVE ,IT STARTED TO JERK AGAIN, WITH THE OIL ODOMETER WENT UP/DOWN! TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP, IT JERKED IN THERE. WHEN THE SERVICE WORKERS WENT TO THE CAR, I WAS TOLD, NO PROBLEMS DRIVING THE CAR, & THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED NOTHING WAS WRONG. THE CAR STAYED AT THE DEALERSHIP SATURDAY-THURSDAY, WITH NO PROBLEMS. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASKED IF SHE COULD DRIVE IT HOME. SHE SAID THE CAR DROVE FINE AND PUT 40 MILES ON CAR. IT WAS FINE ON THURSDAY WHEN I PICKED IT UP. DROVE SATURDAY AND CAR HAD SAME PROBLEMS. HEADLIGHTS & DASHBOARD LIGHTS WENT OUT. AT 5 AM THIS WAS SCARY & UNSAFE, SOME CARS DIDN'T SEE ME, EVEN WITH THE HAZARDS ON. WITH RADIO OUT & CAR JERKING ALL THE WAY HOME. ON MONDAY, WENT TO LEAVE AND CAR DID NOT START. TOWED TO KIA FOR THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH. CAR STARTED, BUT SOME 2001 & 2002 SPORTAGE MODELS HAD A MAIN ENGINE WIRING TEAR AND "THE WHOLE HARNESSED HAD TO BE ORDERED . IT WILL TAKE ABOUT 6 HOURS TO INSTALL . IT WOULD BE IN ON WEDNESDAY APRIL 11, 2007. THIS WAS THE 3RD TIME IN A MONTH THE CAR HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP, I PAID FOR A BATTERY & THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. I IT WAS A COP-OUT FOR THE ACTUAL PROBLEM. WAS INCONVENIENCED WITHOUT A CAR & A HARD TIME GETTING A LOANER. DID NOT HAVE A CAR FOR OVER 7 DAYS. I WANT FAIR TREATMENT ON A CAR THAT I' WAS PAYING AMPLE AMOUNT OF MONEY. *AK
I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN TH…
Read full complaint
I BOUGHT MY KIA SPORTAGE IN 09/19/2006 BY 9/25/2006 I STARTED TO HEAR SQUEALING NOISES IN FRONT OF THE ENGINE AND WHEN I FIRST STARTED IT I WOULD PRESS THE GAS BUT THE CAR WOULD DIE. I BROUGHT IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT 5 TIMES WHEN THEY FINALLY FIXED IT. THEN I FOUND OUT 3 WEEKS LATER IN THE RAIN THAT WATER WAS COMING IN THE TOP LEFT CORNER OF THE WINDSHIELD. IN 1/04/07 I WAD HEADED TO WORK AND THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY DIE AGAIN SO THE DEALERSHIP TOWED IT BACK. *JB
TL * THE CONTACT DETECTED A GASOLINE ODOR ON HER 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, CONTACT STATED THAT LATELY THE ODOR HAS BEEN STRONGER POSSIBLY DUE TO THE COLD WEATHER. WHEN THE HEATER WASTURNED ON ODOR GETS STRONGER IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CONTACT HAS NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A REPAIR FACILITY TO HAVE THE ODOR DIAGNOSED. *AK
BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER-SIDE REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ARE DEFECTIVE. PASSENGER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS BEEN INOPERABLE SINCE SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT IN 2005. DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT HAS HAD SPORADIC PROBLEMS IN THE LAST SIX MONTHS & WITHIN THE LAST WEEK HAS BEEN INOPERABLE. *JB
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.