NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
234 reports55,000 miles · Nov 17, 2006
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSuspension
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH UPHILL ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE 4WD ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CABLE, VACUUM HOSE, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 4WD WAS REPLACED 3 TIME…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH UPHILL ON ICY ROAD CONDITIONS WITH THE 4WD ENGAGED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SLIDE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO DETERMINED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER CABLE, VACUUM HOSE, WHEEL BEARINGS HAD FAILED. EACH COMPONENT WAS REPLACED ON SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE 4WD WAS REPLACED 3 TIMES, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTED. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED TO THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE MANY VEHICLES OF THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL WITH 4WD PROBLEMS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10173755
89,000 miles · Nov 3, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, AN ODOR OF FUEL WAS NOTICED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHO REPLACED THE HOSE ATTACHED TO THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE DEALER WAS ALERTED.
NHTSA ODI #10172544
61,133 miles · Oct 26, 2006
Fuel System, Gasoline
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES; THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE, THE FUEL INJECTOR PORTS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE …
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS BELOW 40 DEGREES; THERE WAS AN ODOR OF GASOLINE. PRIOR TO THE CONTACT'S PURCHASE, THE FUEL INJECTOR PORTS AND RINGS WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. UPDATED 12/28/2006 - THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS BUT THE FUEL ODOR IS STILL PRESENT. THE PREVIOUS OWNER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THIS HAD BEEN ON ONGOING PROBLEM WHEN HE OWNED THE VEHICLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10171911
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
2002 KIA SPORTAGE 35K MI. NOTICED DIFFERENT ENGINE SOUND, FOUND THAT LARGE CRACKS HAD FORMED BETWEEN EACH FAN BLADE, MAIN BLADE DRIVEN BY ENGINE. CHECKED INTERNET FOUND THAT OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS INCLUDING BREAKING AND RADIATOR DESTRUCTION. PLAN TO GET FAN FROM DEAL AND INSTALL ALSO ASK ABOUT KIA PARTS BULLETIN 1500-0002 W…
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2002 KIA SPORTAGE 35K MI. NOTICED DIFFERENT ENGINE SOUND, FOUND THAT LARGE CRACKS HAD FORMED BETWEEN EACH FAN BLADE, MAIN BLADE DRIVEN BY ENGINE. CHECKED INTERNET FOUND THAT OTHERS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS INCLUDING BREAKING AND RADIATOR DESTRUCTION. PLAN TO GET FAN FROM DEAL AND INSTALL ALSO ASK ABOUT KIA PARTS BULLETIN 1500-0002 WHICH CONCERNS THIS FAN BLADE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10170222
110,500 miles · Aug 28, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHEN CHECKING OIL LEVEL ON AUGUST 13,2006, I NOTICED CRACKS BETWEEN EACH BLADE ON THE ENGINE COOLING FAN. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE CRACKS WERE FOUND TO GO FROM FRONT TO BACK ON 6 BLADES. I REMOVED THE FAN, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A BULLETIN. I WAS TOLD NO. BOUGHT NEW FAN AND INSTALLED MYSELF. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10166685
29,000 miles · Aug 12, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAN BLADE CRACKED IN SEVERAL PLACES. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10165314
30,980 miles · Aug 8, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THE REMAINING TWO MILES WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE FAN BLADES WERE SCATTERED ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, A…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING THROUGH THE INTERSECTION FROM A STOP SIGN AT 5 MPH, A LOUD THUD WAS HEARD AND THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME THE REMAINING TWO MILES WITH THE HAZARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. UPON INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE, THE FAN BLADES WERE SCATTERED ACROSS THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, AND SOME WERE CAUGHT IN THE WIRING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER WHERE THE FAN WAS REPLACED AND THE DAMAGED WIRING TO THE AIR CONDITIONING WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI #10164928
66,000 miles · Aug 7, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE RADIATOR FAN FRACTURED TO PIECES WHILE TRAVELING 20 MPH. A NOISE WAS HEARD PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND INSPECTED. 4 FAN BLADES WERE FRACTURED AND ONE OF THE BLADES HAD FLOWN INTO THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE INCIDENT ON 08/07/06.
NHTSA ODI #10164692
93,000 miles · Jun 22, 2006
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 5 TO 65 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS DIMED COMPLETELY. THE HORN WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSM…
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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING FROM 5 TO 65 MPH ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, ALL DASH LIGHTS DIMED COMPLETELY. THE HORN WAS ALSO AFFECTED BY THE ELECTRICAL FAILURE. THE ENGINE STARTED TO SHAKE UP AND THE STEERING BECAME DIFFICULT UNTIL THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY STALLED. THERE WAS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO WAS APPREHENSIVE TO ACCEPT THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS. BASED ON THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY, THE VEHICLE WAS ACCEPTED FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA ODI #10160474
52,000 miles · Jun 17, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
IN SEPTEMBER 04, MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR COIL ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALL SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATION. STILL CONTINUE TO GET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, (MISFIRES) I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH POWER OF ENGINE, TRANS…
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IN SEPTEMBER 04, MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR COIL ASSEMBLY WAS INSTALLED. TWO WEEKS LATER SAME PROBLEMS. THE CAR WOULD SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND STALL SHORTLY AFTER ACCELERATION. STILL CONTINUE TO GET CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, (MISFIRES) I AM NOW HAVING TROUBLE WITH POWER OF ENGINE, TRANSMISSION NOT ENGAGING AFTER SHIFTING. AFTER ACCELERATION CAR SHAKES AND STALLS, WON'T RESTART FOR QUITE SOME TIME. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10160088
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.
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