IllustrationCAR SEEMS TO NOT WANT TO START WHEN IT RAINS, MOISTURE CAUSES SPORTAGE TO STALL NUMEROUS TIMES UNTIL I DRIVE A FEW MILES. *NLM
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
What owners actually said
228 reportsLEFT REAR WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASING CAR (NOVEMBER2001). DEALER REPLACED REGULATOR/MOTOR. RIGHT WINDOW FUNCTIONS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT WHEN I GET READY TO TAKE TO DEALER IT FUNCTIONS CORRECTLY. BOTH REAR WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING SUMMER OF 2003. TOOK TO DEALER & BOTH REGULATORS/MOTORS WERE REPLAC…
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LEFT REAR WINDOW STOPPED FUNCTIONING WITHIN 2 MONTHS OF PURCHASING CAR (NOVEMBER2001). DEALER REPLACED REGULATOR/MOTOR. RIGHT WINDOW FUNCTIONS MOST OF THE TIME, BUT WHEN I GET READY TO TAKE TO DEALER IT FUNCTIONS CORRECTLY. BOTH REAR WINDOWS STOPPED FUNCTIONING SUMMER OF 2003. TOOK TO DEALER & BOTH REGULATORS/MOTORS WERE REPLACED. GEAR SHIFT IS SLIPPING BETWEEN GEAR BY ITSELF. TOOK TO DEALER AND WAS ADJUSTED JUNE 2003.*AK
I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPORTAGE 2001 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT BROKE THE BACK SUPPORT OF MY SEAT. THE TRUCK FORCED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT I CRUMBLED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE. IN ALL 5 VEHICLES RECEIVED DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY SEAT BROKE AND MY AI…
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I WAS DRIVING A KIA SPORTAGE 2001 AND WAS STRUCK IN THE REAR BY A TRACTOR TRAILER. THE IMPACT WAS SO GREAT IT BROKE THE BACK SUPPORT OF MY SEAT. THE TRUCK FORCED ME INTO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME SO HARD THAT I CRUMBLED THE TRUNK OF THAT VEHICLE. IN ALL 5 VEHICLES RECEIVED DAMAGE. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. MY SEAT BROKE AND MY AIRBAGS INCLUDING A KNEE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. I RECEIVED WHIPLASH TO THE NECK AND DAMAGE TO MY RIGHT LEG. I FEEL THAT HAD MY AIRBAGS DEPLOYED I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE DAMAGE TO MY LEG. ALSO I BELIEVE HAD MY SEAT BACK SUPPORT STAYED UPRIGHT I WOULD NOT HAVE RECEIVED THE INJURIES AS BAD. *NLM
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. *JB
DEALERSHIP CONTENDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT OVER HEATED WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT. I SPOKE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING ANOTHER DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLES DO NOT OVERHEAT WITH JUST A "LITTLE" COOLANT LOSS. KIA CLAIMS I WAS A "LITTLE" LOW, FILLED IT UP & SENT ME …
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DEALERSHIP CONTENDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY VEHICLE ALTHOUGH IT OVER HEATED WITH ONLY 34,000 MILES ON IT. I SPOKE TO TWO INDEPENDENT MECHANICS, INCLUDING ANOTHER DEALERSHIP MECHANIC AND WAS TOLD THAT VEHICLES DO NOT OVERHEAT WITH JUST A "LITTLE" COOLANT LOSS. KIA CLAIMS I WAS A "LITTLE" LOW, FILLED IT UP & SENT ME ON MY WAY. *NLM
VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE FOR THE DRIVER, PASSENGERS AND OTHER MOTORISTS ON THE ROAD. WHILE DRIVING TWICE, CONSUMER LOSS CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND WAS NEARLY INVOLVED IN COLLISION. *AK *JB *TS
THE VEHICLES FRONT POWER WINDOWS FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM
OVER THE SPAN OF THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS *REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP WOULDN'T LOOSEN FAR ENOUGH TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. *FRONT SEAT BELTS (BOTH) WOULD COME OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LATCH WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE IT, HAD TO JIGGLE THE INSIDE HANDLE *SP…
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OVER THE SPAN OF THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS *REAR SEAT BELTS LOCKED UP WOULDN'T LOOSEN FAR ENOUGH TO GET MY CHILD OUT OF THE CAR. *FRONT SEAT BELTS (BOTH) WOULD COME OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. *DRIVERS SIDE DOOR WOULDN'T LATCH WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE IT, HAD TO JIGGLE THE INSIDE HANDLE *SPARE TIRE ARM WOULDN'T STAY IN THE LOCKED POSITION WHEN OPEN. STILL WON'T *FOUR WHEEL DRIVE WOULDN'T ENGAGE *LIFTER NOISE--COLLAPSED LIFTER *HEAD WARPED *CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON A FEW TIMES *CUP HOLDERS (FRONT AND REAR) FELL APART *OUTSIDE TRIM WAS FALLLING OFF. *JB
I WAS STOPPED BEHIND TWO CARS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS REARENDED BY A MAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AT IMPACT, I WAS SLAMMED IN TO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, AND SHE HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HER KNOCKING THAT SUV IN TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. ALL FOUR CARS WERE TOTALLED AND EVERYONE'S AIRBAGS WENT OFF EXCEPT FOR MI…
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I WAS STOPPED BEHIND TWO CARS WAITING TO MAKE A LEFT HAND TURN. I WAS REARENDED BY A MAN GOING APPROXIMATELY 50MPH AT IMPACT, I WAS SLAMMED IN TO THE PERSON IN FRONT OF ME, AND SHE HIT THE PERSON IN FRONT OF HER KNOCKING THAT SUV IN TO ON COMING TRAFFIC. ALL FOUR CARS WERE TOTALLED AND EVERYONE'S AIRBAGS WENT OFF EXCEPT FOR MINE. MY FACE TOOK OUT THE VISOR AND HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FRONT SEATS RECLINED AT IMPACT AS WELL.
THE SEAT BELT WAS TIGHT AND IT LOCKED UP. PH
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.