2002 Model Year

Kia Sportage

NHTSA Complaints & Reliability Data

Compare
Complaints
234
Recalls
1
Crashes
15
Severe
28

Active Recalls

Manufacturer safety recalls

07V161000 Apr 2007

Other

No consequence data available

Recent Complaints

Latest owner reports

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 2017

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 A...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
Aug 2017

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...

Structure
Jul 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...

Structure
Jul 2017

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 UNCONTROLLABL...

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 2017

FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THE GAS TANK, WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OFF, GAS SUDDENLY SPURTS OUT THE GAS TA...

Suspension
Sep 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 H...

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM Crash
Aug 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 RESUL...

SUSPENSION,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 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...

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 2016

"TAKATA RECALL" NOTHING NEW, SAME AS THIS AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ... COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FUMES,AIR BAGS LIGHT STAYS ON, HOLD LIG...

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 2016

TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER ON 6-6-2016 IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF KIA'S RECALL # CS-048 THE CAR IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE...

VS

Vehicle Safety Research Team

Automotive Data Analysts

Independent researchers analyzing NHTSA data to help consumers make informed vehicle decisions.

Data updated: March 4, 2026

Summary

The 2002 Kia Sportage has 234 complaints and 1 recalls on record. The most commonly reported issue is Engine. 15 crash-related incidents have been reported.

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