IllustrationTHE GEARS SHIFTED IMPROPERLY AND THERE WAS A RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALSO THE DEALER NOTICED THE STEERING GEAR BOX WAS LEAKING. *JB
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 reportsWHILE DRIVING THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES BUT THEY DID NOT RESPOND. *AK *NLM
I BOUGHT A KIA SPORTAGE IN APRIL 2002. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER, THE CAR SHAKES, THE RPMS GO TO 0 AND THE HEADER PIPE GLOWS RED HOT (LITERALLY), AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL LOSE 75% OF ITS POWER. THIS IS DA…
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I BOUGHT A KIA SPORTAGE IN APRIL 2002. SINCE THEN, THE CAR HAS BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO THE KIA SERVICE CENTER ON FOUR SEPARATE OCCASIONS FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THE ENGINE WILL SPUTTER, THE CAR SHAKES, THE RPMS GO TO 0 AND THE HEADER PIPE GLOWS RED HOT (LITERALLY), AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR WILL LOSE 75% OF ITS POWER. THIS IS DANGEROUS. THIS CAR HAS MAYBE 10,000 MILES ON IT AND IT WAS BOUGHT BRAND NEW. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND NOT ACCEPTABLE. THE SERVICE CENTER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS (KEEP IN MIND THIS IS ON 10,000 MILES), THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, HEAD PIPE, MUFFLER AND THE REST OF THE ENTIRE EXHAUST SYSTEM, AND SPARK PLUGS. UP TO THIS DATE, THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM AND EVEN AS I TYPE THIS, THE CAR IS SITTING IN THE SERVICE CENTER THE FOURTH TIME. I WAS GIVEN A RENTAL VEHICLE THE THIRD TIME. BUT THIS TIME, THEY HAVE NOT GIVEN ME A RENTAL OR REPLACEMENT VEHICLE BECAUSE TWO ARE OUT OF COMMISSION DUE TO ACCIDENTS AND ONE IS CURRENTLY BEING USED. THEY SAY THAT THEY HAVE TO HOOK THE CAR UP TO A COMPUTER AND DRIVE IT NUMEROUS MILE TO RECORD DATA. I JUST WANT A CAR THAT WORKS. *JB
THE WIPERS BOLTS CAME LOOSE WHEN ICE AND SNOW WERE PACKED AROUND THEM. *JB
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE SPENT OUT OF CONTROL, SHE ALSO STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING REALLY BAD. TS
THE STEERING BOX IN MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE SUDDENLY BECOME INOPERABLE AND WOULD NOT PERMIT THE CAR TO BE STEERED TO THE RIGHT. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND I NEARLY HAD AN ACCIDENT BEFORE I COULD GET IT STOPPED.
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 55MPH ON THE HIGHWAY. WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING A DEER RAN IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HIT THE DEER. THE DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK ALSO STATES THAT EVERYTIME HE IS FILLING THE TANK ON THE VEHICLE GAS SPILLS RIGHT OVER IT WITH OUT THE GAS TANK BEING FULL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A NEW GAS TANK WAS SUPPOSE TO BE PUT IN BUT CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. T…
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CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE GAS TANK ALSO STATES THAT EVERYTIME HE IS FILLING THE TANK ON THE VEHICLE GAS SPILLS RIGHT OVER IT WITH OUT THE GAS TANK BEING FULL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT A NEW GAS TANK WAS SUPPOSE TO BE PUT IN BUT CONSUMER STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE. TS
CONSUMER STATED THAT THEY'RE UNABLE TO ADJUST THE SIDE MIRROR CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER VIEW. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WOULD KNOW WHERE I CAN GET MY VEHICLE TESTED FOR HEALTH ISSUES. I PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AT THE END OF JANUARY 2002. I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY VEHICLE THAT THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIX. IT HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR THAT IS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE DEALE…
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I WAS WONDERING IF YOU WOULD KNOW WHERE I CAN GET MY VEHICLE TESTED FOR HEALTH ISSUES. I PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AT THE END OF JANUARY 2002. I HAVE A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY VEHICLE THAT THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT SEEM TO BE ABLE TO FIX. IT HAS A VERY STRONG ODOR THAT IS COMING INTO THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR VENTS. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER BUT IT HAS NOT HELPED AT ALL. THE DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. I FINALLY GOT THEM TO GO FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH ME AND HAD THEM SMELL THE ODOR JUST LAST WEEK. I HAD BEEN TRYING TO GET THEM TO GO FOR A TEST DRIVE WITH ME SINCE MAY 2002. MY VEHICLE HAS 15000 MILES ON IT SO IT IS TO LATE FOR ME TO GET THE MANUFACTURER TO PURCHASE THE VEHICLE BACK UNDER THE OREGON LEMON LAW. I TRIED TO GO THROUGH THE ARBITRATION PROCESS BEFORE I HIT 12,000 MILES BUT THE PERSON I SPOKE TO SAID I DID NOT HAVE A CASE BECAUSE I ONLY HAD SERVICE ORDERS FOR 2 OF THE 4 TIMES I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR THE ODOR. THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT WRITE UP A SERVICE ORDER FOR THE SMELL UNTIL THE 3RD TIME I TOOK THE CAR TO THEM. I AM HOPING THAT YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW MIGHT BE ABLE TO HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. I DO NOT THINK THAT THE SMELL IS VERY SAFE FOR MY CHILDREN AND MYSELF TO BE SMELLING. IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME I DRIVE MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKES BUILD UP A BLACK DUST THAT IS VERY EXCESSIVE AROUND THE RIM OF MY FRONT TIRES WITHIN 6 MONTHS THEY WERE 30 PERCENT WARN. DT
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.