2001 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
2 recalls and 228 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 228 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I bought the car 2 weeks after I left dealer started noticing a smell of gas though was. Because just put gas in .then when turned on heat smell would get worse ! A few days ago went to fill gas and a lot gas over.filled onto ground not able to figure out why the smell gas so strong inside car its. Actually upset my stomach when driving the. At and afraid going start fire ! Also leakage on ground when parked . I have read other complaints with same problem !! It's a 2001 kia. Only has 78,000 miles on it think should be cover. From company since not only one with this problem .”Owner report · Electrical System · Mar 2018
“Bought this vehicle with only 11k miles from an elderly couple that hardly drove it. Now at 21k miles, there is a gas smell coming inside the vehicle and also outside of the vehicle. Has a rough idle and gas spews out of tank while I'm pumping gas. The front passenger tire sounds like it's about to fall off. Had to replace spark plugs twice already. Also, the driverside seatbelt will not retract. I bought this vehicle with only 11k miles thinking it will last for awhile, but I've had so many issues with it.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. While driving at approximately 20 mph, the vehicle begin to shake, the brake warning indicator illuminated, and the brakes failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/12/16*lj ;updated VIN invalid 4/25/18*jb *tr”Owner report · Structure · Nov 2015
Show 7 more owner reports
“Just purchased this car for my teen...when filling gas tank it begins to spew out onto him . Are the person filling the tank.also a bad smell of fumes inside of car,,,,please help the problem....*js”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Dec 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel, which created fumes in and around the vehicle. The contact located the leak under the fuel tank on the passenger side of the vehicle. There were no warning indicators illuminated due to the failure. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 82,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2014
“The car keeps stalling just quits when I slow down. I had two mechanics check it out. Filled the tank with new gas, and nothing showed up on the electrical check. It is a mystery why this keeps happening. I am worried that this might happen on a major highway. And I don't want to sell the car and give someone else this problem.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2014
“I just tried to get my kia sportage inspected and was told by two different places the frame is rusted right out and I shouldn't even be driving it. I just looked online about the problem and there are alot of complaints and feel there should be a recall to fix the problem. The car is fine otherwise. If there is no recall I am going to be without a vehicle now because I cant afford another one. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2014
“We were on our way to the hospital going 30mph, I reached down to pick up something off the passenger side floor( I was the passenger), when I heard a sound like breaking glass. We thought we had run over a glass object but when I turned to look back there was nothing there. I did notice that my seatbelt was no longer restraining me. The part that should have kept me safe, the seatbelt, had come completely out of its compartment. I know that if we had been in a wreck I would have gone through the windshield. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jan 2014
“I was hearing a clunk every time I started going forward and backwards and got underneath the car to notice the frame crossmember was totally separated from the frame. It is the frame crossbar that holds the rear axle support to the frame. The affected frame cross member goes underneath the gas tank and would require 2 days labor to fix at my local repair shop. To remove the gas tank is one project and to have a new welded support bar is another project and will cost alot to fix. I called kia for possible recalls and they said "oh its out of warranty" goodluck with that!!! This car is unsafe and could have caused serious damage. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jul 2013
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 kia sportage. While driving at various speeds, fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. After inspecting the vehicle, the contact noticed fuel leaking from the fuel tank. The failure recurred continuously. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that fuel was leaking from the top of the fuel tank and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 25 of these complaints and injuries in 17 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 2 campaigns
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sportage by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 228 owner complaints and 2 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is fuel system, gasoline (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Sportage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,018 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
2 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.