IllustrationUPON IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITH SUCH FORCE THAT THE UNDER FRAME OF THE DASHBOARD DETACHED FROM THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE. WHEN THIS OCCURRED, IT BROKE AN OCCUPANT'S ANKLE AND FOOT. DEALER INDICATED IT WAS NOT HIS PROBLEM, AND URGED CONSUMER TO CALL THE MANUFACTURER. *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 reportsTHE DOOR STRUCTURE ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE EDGES. THIS RESULTED IN THE DOORS BEING FROZEN SHUT WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED A FIX FOR IT. *NLM THE KIA DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM …
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THE DOOR STRUCTURE ALLOWED WATER TO GET INTO THE EDGES. THIS RESULTED IN THE DOORS BEING FROZEN SHUT WHEN THIS OCCURRED IN COLD WEATHER. THE DEALERSHIP/MANUFACTURER ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT PROVIDED A FIX FOR IT. *NLM THE KIA DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE WEREN'T GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM DUE TO SNOW AND SLUSH WERE NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS THAT WOULD GET INTO THE DOORS. *SCC *JB
VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND THEY FOUND THAT THE HARNESS WHICH HELD THE ALTERNATOR WAS MELTED. *AK
PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES STICKING, WINDOWS LOCKED UP, CALIPERS CRACKED.*MR TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE STICKING OR PULLING WHEN AT A STOP OR LIGHT. THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW AGENT THAT WAS BEING USED ON HER VEHICLE MADE THE NOISE AND IT WOULD GO …
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PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES STICKING, WINDOWS LOCKED UP, CALIPERS CRACKED.*MR TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE STICKING OR PULLING WHEN AT A STOP OR LIGHT. THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW AGENT THAT WAS BEING USED ON HER VEHICLE MADE THE NOISE AND IT WOULD GO AWAY IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. JUNE 3, 2003, WINDOWS LOCKED UP, COULDN'T ROLL UP, MOTOR BURNED OUT. JUNE 7,2003, VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED. THERE WAS A NOISE FOLLOWED BY SPARKS ND CLANKING METAL SOUNDS. CONSUMER REALIZED SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CALIPER HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN CAUSING THE PADS TO SHATTER ALONG WITH THE ROTORS TO FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO HER NEGLIGENCE. CONSUMER QUESTIONED THAT IF ON A REPAIR BILL IT STATED "30% BRAKES REMAINING," WHY WOULD THEY NOT REPLACE THEM. CONSUMER WAS BILLED $175. FOR THE RENTAL CAR, $700. FOR SERVICE AND TOW, $875. TOTAL. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE MATTER WAS TAKEN TO COURT THE DISCOUNT OF 30% WOULD BE DROPPED AND THE TOTAL TO BE PAID WOULD BE $1200. CONSUMER ASKED FOR COMPENSATION FOR TIME AND TROUBLE, LOAN CAUGHT UP, VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO HER AND RENTAL CHARGES DROPPED. *PH
FRONT END OF VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED. *MR THE FRONT ROTORS CONTINUED TO WARP. THERE HAVE BEEN THREE REPAIR ATTEMPTS. *SCC *JB
MY RADIATOR FAN MOTOR LITERALLY BLEW UP. ALL THE FAN BLADES FELL OFF AND CAUSED MY TEMPERATURE TO RISE, AFTER IT THE TEMP. ROSE THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS CRACKED MY RADIATOR AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE AS WELL. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE NEW. MY REAR …
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MY RADIATOR FAN MOTOR LITERALLY BLEW UP. ALL THE FAN BLADES FELL OFF AND CAUSED MY TEMPERATURE TO RISE, AFTER IT THE TEMP. ROSE THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE SHUT DOWN. THIS HAS CRACKED MY RADIATOR AND POSSIBLY THE ENGINE AS WELL. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE I PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE NEW. MY REAR WINDOWS DID NOT WORK, MY A/C HAS MADE NOISES SINCE DAY 1, THE CAPS KEEP FALLING OFF MY WHEELS, THE ALIGNMENT WAS OUT SO THE DEALERSHIP SAID THAT IT WAS A FACTORY DEFECT ON THE TIE ROD'S, THE KNOB ON THE REAR SEAT WAS BROKEN, I HAVE BEEN RAN OFF THE ROAD BECAUSE OF THE HEADLIGHTS BEING OUT OF ADJUSTMENT (REPAIRED NUMEROUS TIMES), VEHICLE DOES NOT LIKE TO GO INTO REVERSE IN THE MORNINGS (5 SPEED), I'VE HAD WIRES HANGING FROM UNDER MY DASH WHEN PURCHASED, WHEN IT RAINS MY FEET GET WET INSIDE THE VEHICLE . I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE HOOD NOT LINING UP CORRECTLY AS WELL.
BRAKES WARPED SINCE CONSUMER OWNED VEHICLE. AFTER REPAIR THE BRAKES WOULD WARP AGAIN. THIS PATTERN CONTINUED UNTIL THE DEALERSHIP DECIDED TO KEEP THE TRUCK FOR FURTHER REPAIRS.*AK
WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEY FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ROTORS WARPING. THIS RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THE 5 SPEED STANDARD TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO SECOND GEAR AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REAR END ALSO MAKES A POPPING/CLUCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD HARD WHEN THE NOI…
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WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, THEY FAIL TO STOP THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE ROTORS WARPING. THIS RESULTS IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. ALSO, THE 5 SPEED STANDARD TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT GO INTO SECOND GEAR AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE REAR END ALSO MAKES A POPPING/CLUCKING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE WILL JERK FORWARD HARD WHEN THE NOISE OCCURS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES IS UNDETERMINED. *PH
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
VEHICLE SHAKES AND THERE IS A SUDDEN DECREASE IN SPEED. *MR THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS AND THE PROBLEMS REMAINED THE SAME. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED SPEED FROM 45 MPH DOWN TO 5 MPH. *SCC *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.