IllustrationJUST 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
2001 Kia Sportage
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 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
190–25K
3025–50K
2650–75K
2375–100K
19100–150K
8150K+
125 reports with mileage · 103 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.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 45 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
25 crash reports4 fire reports13 injury reports
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
50 reportsTHE 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 PRO…
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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.
I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE EX 2001 ON 12/27/12 FROM FRONT RYAL AUTO GROUP IN FRONT ROYAL VA. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. AFTER A FEW DAYS I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM , THEY DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY TO BRING IT IN MON-FRI 8-5 WELL I CAN NO…
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I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE EX 2001 ON 12/27/12 FROM FRONT RYAL AUTO GROUP IN FRONT ROYAL VA. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF GAS. AFTER A FEW DAYS I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM , THEY DID NOT KNOW IF IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY TO BRING IT IN MON-FRI 8-5 WELL I CAN NOT MAKE THOSE HOURS TO GO ,SO THE ODOR CONTINUES TO FIND OUT FROM A MECHANIC OF MY OWN CHOICE WHICH AFTER I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK AGAIN BEFORE MY WARRANTY RAN OUT THAT WE DICOVERED I HAVE A FUEL TANK GAS SEAL LEAKAGE.. *TR
OUR 2001 KIA SPORTAGE HAD A GAS SMELL. NOW WE NOTICED GAS LEAKING OUT OF THE TANK. IT SEEMS TO STOP AT 1/4 FULL. WE BOUGHT IN BRAND NEW IN 2002. *TR
FUEL TANK LEAKING, STRONG FUMES INSIDE CABIN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED REPLACING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE FUEL TANK WAS CORRODED CAUSING A LEAK IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT FOUND A LARGE PUDDLE OF GASOLINE FUEL UNDER THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED REPLACING AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO OTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WET ON THE EXTERIOR BECAUSE THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE F…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED WHEN SHE SMELLED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE EXTERIOR OF THE FUEL TANK WAS WET ON THE EXTERIOR BECAUSE THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN A FEW MONTHS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. UPDATED 08/01/11*LJ UPDATED 08/03/11
FAULTY GAS TANK. THE GAS TANK LEAKS GAS. *TR
FUEL ODOR ,FOUND GAS LEAKS FROM CORRODED GAS TANK, CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS,TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER , CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTIES BUT KIA PAID TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK, I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2001 , THE TANK SHIELD UNDER THE TANK COLLECTED THE SALT FROM THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING IN THE WINTER AND SIT THERE …
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FUEL ODOR ,FOUND GAS LEAKS FROM CORRODED GAS TANK, CALLED KIA HEADQUARTERS,TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER , CAR WAS OUT OF WARRANTIES BUT KIA PAID TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK, I WAS TOLD IT WAS COMMON WITH THIS KIA SPORTAGE 2001 , THE TANK SHIELD UNDER THE TANK COLLECTED THE SALT FROM THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING IN THE WINTER AND SIT THERE BETWEEN THE SHIELD AND THE TANK CAUSING EXCESSIVE CORROSION,I WAS PLEASED WITH KIA ACTION TO PAY FULLY FOR THE TANK. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL SENSO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE ALSO NOTICED FUEL LEAKING ON THE GROUND UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE FAILURE WAS A CONTINUOUS OCCURRENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK, FUEL SENSOR AND THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER RECALL RELATED TO THE SIMILAR DEFECT; HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000.
Official recalls
0No recalls in this snapshot.
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
2EA06007 · 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.