NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
234 reports56,000 miles · Jan 14, 2010
Power TrainTraction Control System
2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHIC…
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2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4WD HAS A VACUUM-HUB SYSTEM, I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND THAT THIS HAS A HISTORY OF FAILURE, HOWEVER THERE IS NO WAY OF KNOWING THAT THE 4WD IS NOT ENGAGED,BECAUSE THE INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS WHETHER OR NOT THE 4WD IS WORKING. THIS IS A COMMON ONGOING PROBLEM IN THESE VEHICLES, THE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO INSTALL MANUAL HUBS,HOWEVER KIA DOES NOT OFFER TO PAY FOR THIS OPTION TO ITS CONSUMERS. I LIVE IN WISCONSIN AND AM A SINGLE MOTHER AND DEPEND UPON THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO GET ME THROUGH THE WISCONSIN WINTERS, NOW THAT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT WORKING I GET STUCK IN THE SMALLEST AMOUNT OF SNOW, AND FEEL LIKE A IDIOT CALLING AAA TO TOW ME OUT ALL THE TIME. I THINK THAT THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE MADE INTO A RECALL ESPECIALLY SINCE I ONLY HAVE 56,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10299812
Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003 & IT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY GAS TANK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS VERY SLOW & EVEN THEN THE GAS SPURTS BACK OUT & GETS ON MY CAR, CLOTHS, ETC., IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO FILL MY GAS TANK, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN THE WIN…
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I PURCHASED MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN 2003 & IT WAS ALMOST 2 YEARS BEFORE I STARTED HAVING A PROBLEM PUTTING GAS IN MY GAS TANK, I HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS VERY SLOW & EVEN THEN THE GAS SPURTS BACK OUT & GETS ON MY CAR, CLOTHS, ETC., IT TAKES A VERY LONG TIME TO FILL MY GAS TANK, IT SEEMS THAT THIS PROBLEM OCCURS MORE OFTEN IN THE WINTER, BUT IT HAS HAPPENED IN THE SUMMER AS WELL, I HAVE JUST NOW IN THE LAST WEEK BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH SMELLING A STRONG GAS SMELL IN MY KIA JUST AFTER I START GOING, I AM GOING TO GO TO THE KIA DEALERSHIP TO SEE IF THEY HAVE ANY INTENTIONS OF FIXING THIS PROBLEM SINCE IT APPEARS THERE ARE ALOT OF 2002 KIA OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, IT DOESN'T TAKE MUCH TO FIGURE OUT THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297320
53,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS PROBLEM. FIRST WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TANK LEAKING (WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT 2002 SPORTAGE MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL/CHECK, WHICH IT WAS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE $500 PROBLEM). SECOND, THE GAS SHOOTS OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THIS (WE WERE TOLD) IS A BA…
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WE ALSO EXPERIENCED THE GAS PROBLEM. FIRST WE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TANK LEAKING (WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT 2002 SPORTAGE MODEL WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL/CHECK, WHICH IT WAS AND THEY SHOULD HAVE PAID FOR THE $500 PROBLEM). SECOND, THE GAS SHOOTS OUT WHEN YOU TRY TO FILL, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON, THIS (WE WERE TOLD) IS A BAD OXYGEN SENSOR, ANOTHER $350 AND STILL NOT COVERED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10292314
87,589 miles · Oct 31, 2009
Fuel System, Other
2002 KIA SPORTAGE SHOOTS GAS BACK OUT OF TANK WHILE FUELING. AFTER FUELING (TANK IS EMPTY)FOR A FEW SECONDS PUMP SHUTS OFF AND FUEL SHOOTS BACK OUT OF TANK. GAS SHOOTS OUT AT A RATE THAT CAUSES IT TO SPILL OVER TO THE GROUND. CAN NOT FILL ORE THAN $5.00 DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS WITHOUT AN OVERFLOW. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10290434
109,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL MARKER. WHEN I PUMP GAS IT WILL GUSH OUT EVEN WITH JUST $2.00 IN THE TANK I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP IT VERY SLOW IN ORDER TO FILL MY TANK UP. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS GOING ON WITH OTHER KIA'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR OR IS IT TIM…
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I HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL MARKER. WHEN I PUMP GAS IT WILL GUSH OUT EVEN WITH JUST $2.00 IN THE TANK I WOULD HAVE TO PUMP IT VERY SLOW IN ORDER TO FILL MY TANK UP. I HAVE A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE AND FROM WHAT I HEAR THIS IS GOING ON WITH OTHER KIA'S. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS A MANUFACTURE ERROR OR IS IT TIME. IT IS VERY SCARY WHEN THE GAS COMES OUT AND GETS ALL OVER MY CLOTHES I THINK IT'S HAZARDOUS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289785
137,280 miles · Oct 21, 2009
Suspension
VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DRIVER NOTICED SLIGHT ODD NOISE COMING FROM CAR WHEN CHANGING DIRECTIONAL GEARS, OR TAKING OFF FROM STOPS. 2ND FROM REAR CROSSMEMBER RUSTED OUT, BUT WAS CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT EARLY AXLE COULD HAVE SHIFTED CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CROSSMEM…
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VEHICLE IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DRIVER NOTICED SLIGHT ODD NOISE COMING FROM CAR WHEN CHANGING DIRECTIONAL GEARS, OR TAKING OFF FROM STOPS. 2ND FROM REAR CROSSMEMBER RUSTED OUT, BUT WAS CAUGHT EARLY ENOUGH TO PREVENT SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IF PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN CAUGHT EARLY AXLE COULD HAVE SHIFTED CAUSING SERIOUS ACCIDENT. CROSSMEMBER SUPPORTS GAS TANK AND KEEPS REAR DRIVE AXLE IN PLACE. OLD CROSSMEMBER WILL BE CUT OUT AND NEW WELDED BACK IN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289280
20 miles · Oct 6, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control
MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE SURGES FORWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN AN ON-GOING PROBLEM SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 2002. ALSO, THE VEHICLE STALLS ON A REGULAR BASIS, WHILE AT SPEEDS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10286568
117,000 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Power Train
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. IT LOCKS UP AND THE ONLY WAY TO FIX THIS IS TO UNHOOK HOSES WHEN NOT IN USE AND TO HOOK THE HOSES UP WHEN NEEDED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283490
80,000 miles · Sep 1, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
FAN BLADES ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282526
69,000 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling
2005 KIA SPORTAGE HAS A FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER. *NJ
NHTSA ODI #10283171
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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