2002 Kia Sportage: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 234 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (25% 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 234 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I purchased a 2002 kia sportage in february of 2017, after driving it for a couple months it all the sudden started rocking side to side uncontrollably while driving. When looking at the car we noticed the whole frame is rusted and falling apart. This is a huge safety problem, especially when it was being used to transport my children.”Owner report · Structure · Jun 2017
“We have religiously cleaned our 2002 sportage with under washing to keep under carriage as clean as possible...yet we are told the frame is too rusted, with holes and cannot be inspected or driven safely...we have less than 90,000 miles on it. Why hasn't there been a safety recall on this frame issue...the dealer just said "now is the time to buy another vehicle!" their warranty for 10 years or 100k miles is not helpful for those of us that put on few mile per year! Never buy a kia...ever...”Owner report · Structure · Oct 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted carbon monoxide and caused the contact to fall sleep. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a canal. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact drove the vehicle again and the failure recurred. As a result, the contact was involved in another crash. A police report was filed both times. The contact sustained fractured ribs and pelvic injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The VIN was not provided.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Driver side and front passenger shoulder belts are frayed which makes them unable to stay secure. It won't stop upper body movement when brakes are applied quickly. Driver side rear passenger window won't go down and motor in door still makes the noise like its wants to work but does not. Unable to pump more than a couple dollars of gas before it spits gas back out. While driving I smell electrical burning and wires under hood are burnt by the fan. Making the car hot due to fan not working properly.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
“Rear section of vehicle frame is rotted beyond a safe condition to continue use. Rear suspension mount points are crumbling and falling off. Vehicle has 38,000 miles. Vehicle always parked on pavement or concrete and used as a primary vehicle for an older female. Vehicle used very little during winter snow conditions.”Owner report · Suspension · May 2016
“I bought a car last week from a private seller, and it has a gas leak coming from the gas tank area. I have not taken it in yet to a mechanic to have it checked out. The seller had replaced the filler hose, and had said the previous owner had replaced the gas tank, so he said there shouldn't have been any issues. I have two grandchildren that need to be able to ride safely in this car, and I refuse to drive it with this leak on there. From the other reports that I am reading, this is a major issue, along with the rusted frame on the car. Kia should not be allowed to continue to sell cars without fixing these other major issues.”Owner report · Suspension · Jan 2016
“When the vehicle was hit while parked the bumper was destroyed the airbags did not deploy. The tune signals do not work, the fuses blow eveytime they are replaced, the hazzard signal blows all the fuses, there is a recall on before this year and some after, but not this one. Gas fumes inside the vehicle, no dealer in our community can find the problem. Shifter is stuck in park, the by pass key works but it will not shift without it.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Dec 2015
“My car has rusted significantly underneath the vehicle.. To the point where it appears that it rusted the frame and shock absorbers. My car was made in korea... Wonder if these imports have to adhere to the same standards as american made cars with underbody treatment? Also the fuel backs-up out of the gas tank... When in try to get the replacement part... I have been give numerous parts which do not fit from the dealer. Also brakes have been replaced and rooters ground down but they keep having problems.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia sportage. The contact stated that fuel fumes were present in and around the vehicle. The dealer stated that there was a fuel leak coming from the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The approximate failure mileage was 162,180.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2014
“Just getting in vehicle ready to put on my seat belt it would not tighten nor retract back in so I could try again now the seat belt will not tighten at all it is very unsafe I will get tickted. I bought the vehicle as is. *tr”Owner report · Seat Belts · Oct 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 9 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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.
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.
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.
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 2002 Kia Sportage reliable?
NHTSA has 234 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Kia Sportage. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (25% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sportage problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,567 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have open recalls?
3 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.