46 complaints reported

2002 Kia Sportage Engine

Owner-reported problems and safety issues filed with NHTSA. Review common failures, severity levels, and complaint trends over time.

Reports
46
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0

Complaint Timeline

Chronological view of owner reports

Mar 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS "MISSING" WHILE IDLE AND "BACK FIRING". THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE MULTIPLE ISSUES WERE DIAGNOSED (POWER TRAIN, BASE ENGINE PROBLEM, EXHAUST MANIFOLD). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 187,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 187,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2014
Sep 2011

THE PROBLEM I HAVE WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IS ENGINE HEATING, ENGINE OVER HEATING, ENGINE COOLING FAN ( FAN BLADES BRAKE OFF CUT INTO MY RADIATOR, CUT MY FUEL LINES, WATER HOSES, AIR INTAKE LINES. SINCE THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE LIGHT ON I.E. MISFIRE ON CYLINDER NUMBER 3 THE CAR BASICALLY RUNS ON THREE CYLINDERS, WHICH COULD HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH ENGINE HEATING BECAUSE THE FAN IS BELT DRIVEN, THUS LEADING TO OVER HEATING. THIS USUALLY LEAD TO COSTLY ENGINE REPAIRS, VEHICLE BECOMES DISABLED ANYWHERE AND ANYTIME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. SINCE OWNING, MY 2002 KIA( PURCHASED IN JUNE 2005, 32728 MILES) I HAVE REPLACED 5 RADIATORS, 5 ENGINE COOLING FANS, TOWED 8 TIMES. THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HAS BROKEN OFF AND CUT INTO MY RADIATOR IN 2005, 2009, 2010, AND 2011. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2007 AND I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER IN 2007 FOR THE RECALL. IT HAS BROKE OFF THREE TIMES SINCE THE RECALL. THIS IS DANGEROUS!!! *TT

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Apr 2005
Nov 2010 Fire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE FAN BLADE BLEW INTO PIECES. HE REPLACED THE POWER STEERING RESERVOIR, ANTIFREEZE RESERVE TANK, ALL THREE SERPENTINE BELTS, AIR INTAKE, AND THE INTAKE HOSE HIMSELF, TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. HE THEN RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V161000, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM: FAN) AND PETITIONED FOR REIMBURSEMENT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE DEALER ADVISED HE WOULD NOT BE CONSIDERED FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNTIL HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO HAVE THE RECALL REPAIR PERFORMED. HE SOON NOTICED THE SMELL OF BURNING ANTIFREEZE CIRCULATING THROUGHOUT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE AND THE ENGINE BECAME UNUSUALLY WARM. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BELT UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN AND WAS DENIED REIMBURSEMENT. AFTER REPAIRS, HE CONTINUED TO SMELL BURNING ANTIFREEZE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND HE WAS ADVISED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,835 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,838.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2009
Aug 2010

WHILE DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE YESTERDAY, I HEARD A LOUD BANG AND PULLED OFF THE ROAD TO INVESTIGATE. I NOTICED ANTIFREEZE COMING FROM UNDER MY CAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND FOUND THAT THE RADIATOR FAN HAD EXPLODED AND WAS MISSING ALL IT'S BLADES AND THE SHROUD WAS IN PIECES ALSO. ONE OF THE PIECES PUNCHED A HOLE IN THE RADIATOR. PRIOR TO THIS HAPPENING, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT OVERHEATING OR HAVING ANY NOTICEABLE PROBLEMS. I DISCOVERED LAST NIGHT THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM BUT KIA MOTORS CLAIMS THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS NOTED IN THE RECALL. MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP AND I AM PAYING TO HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED. I THINK MAYBE THE PROBLEM MAY BE PRESENT IN OTHER VEHICLES NOT "LISTED" IN THE RECALL. I FEEL LUCKY THAT I DID NOT HAVE MY HEAD UNDER THE HOOD WHEN THIS HAPPENED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2010
Jul 2010

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER EXPRESSES DISCONTENT REGARDING NOT BEING ABLE TO GET RECALL REPAIRS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE REPAIR SHOP HAVING MAJOR ENGINE WORK DONE AT THE TIME OF THE RECALL APPOINTMENT. THE CONSUMER ALSO SUGGESTED THAT MAYBE THE WORK SHE WAS HAVING DONE WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 1901
Jun 2010

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. DEALER AND KIA ADMITTED THE CAR HAD THE PART RECALLED. THE PLASTIC FAN BROKE AND PIECES WENT INTO THE RADIATOR AND HOSES. THE DEALER GAVE ME A PRICE OF 660 DOLLARS TO FIX THE REPAIRS. HOWEVER, THEY SAID I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CHARGES SINCE THEY SENT OUT A REPAIR NOTICE APPROX 3 YEARS AGO WHICH I NEVER RECEIVED. I HAD TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR IT AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. I CALLED KIA AND THEY SAID THAT IF THE PART WAS RECALLED AND CAUSED THE DAMAGE THEY WOULD PAY FOR IT. THEY WERE GONNA CONTACT THE DEALER SO WHEN I CALLED AGAIN THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T PAY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2010
Mar 2010

2002 KIA SPORTAGE. CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS A DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN. *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED SHE INCURRED AN EXPENSE TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE ENGINE COOLING FAN PRIOR TO RECEIVING THE RECALL NOTICE. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE MAILED THE REPAIR RECEIPT ALONG WITH A COVER LETTER EXPLAINING WHAT HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS DRIVING WHEN THE FAN BROKE AND HAD TO STOP AT THE FIRST REPAIR SHOP TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2004
Aug 2009

2005 KIA SPORTAGE HAS A FAULTY HARMONIC BALANCER. *NJ

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2009
May 2009

VEHICLE: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE 4 DR. 4X4; PURCHASED BRAND NEW & PD. IN FULL. IN 2008, WE LEFT AN AMUSEMENT PARK, HOT DAY. 4 PASSENGERS INCLUDING 1 BABY. UPON GOING HOME NEEDED TO RUN A/C. I <DRIVER> NOTICED THE TEMP. GAUGE GOING FROM APPROX. MIDRANGE TEMP. TO HOT. A/C WAS SHUT OFF & WE ROLLED DOWN WINDOWS & MADE IT HOME. TOOK VEHICLE TO BE CHECKED OUT & WAS TOLD THAT THE COOLING FAN WAS INOPERATIVE. THE TECH. SAID THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK VEHICLE TO KIA DEALERSHIP WHO CLAIMED AFTER APPROX. 30 - 40 MINS, IN HIS CARE, THAT THE RECALLED COOLING FAN PROBLEM WAS NOW REPLACED @ NO CHARGE TO ME. I AM NOW FINDING OUT THAT REPLACEMENT WAS NOT DONE DUE TO ANOTHER, SEPARATE TECHNICIAN. 2 TECH'S INVOLVED. 1ST TECH TOLD ME OF RECALL; 2ND TECH SAID RECALLED ITEM WAS NOT REPLACED. WHAT SHOULD I DO? PLEASE TELL ME. I NEED YOUR ADVICE. I AWAIT YOUR REPLY AS TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2008
Jan 2009

FAN BLADES ON 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jul 2002
Aug 2008

NY KIA SPORTAGE 2002 4D4X4 COOLING FAN BLEW APART TAKING OUT THE RADIATOR AND OTHER PARTS. IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART FOUND RECALL ON THE INTERNET. CALLED KIA 18003334542 ARGUED WITH THEM FOR A WEEK THEY FINALLY AGREED TO FIX THE DAMAGE. IT WAS TO BE DONE MONDAY THAT'S WHEN THEY ORDERED THE PARTS. THEY WILL NOT PROVIDE A LOANER CAR AS MINE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2008
Jun 2008

I WOULD LIKE TO START BY SAYING THAT I HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE AT THE MECHANIC'S SHOP TWICE WITHIN THE PAST YEAR DUE TO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON AND GOING OFF SPORADICALLY. MY MECHANIC HAS, BOTH TIMES, HOOKED IT UP TO ALL HIS MACHINERY TO CHECK FOR THE PROBLEM, BUT BOTH TIMES, FOUND NOTHING. NOW, LET ME TELL YOU WHAT JUST HAPPENED... I HAD AN INCIDENT HAPPEN WITH MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE THIS EVENING 8/6/08. THE COOLING FAN BROKE APART AN SEVERED MY POWER STEERING HOSE SPRAYING OIL ALL OVER MY CAR CAUSING IT TO SMOKE AND MY POWER STEERING TO GO OUT. THIS IS WHAT MY HUSBAND SAYS HAPPENED ANYWAY. I WAS STRANDED 30 MILES FROM HOME AND HAD TO HAVE MY CAR TOWED TO MY USUAL MECHANIC. UPON RETURNING HOME I RESEARCHED THE NET FOR MY VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS VERY SAME PROBLEM IN 2007. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS RECALL AND WOULD HAVE HAD MY VEHICLE FIXED HAD I KNOWN. I'M NOT SURE OF THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE, AS THIS JUST HAPPENED TONIGHT, BUT I WANT TO KNOW WHAT CAN BE DONE ABOUT IT? *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2008
May 2008

DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC LAST WEEK AND CAR STARTED TO LOSE POWER AND THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE THROUGH THE VENTS. THE CAR WAS NOT SMOKING, THERMOSTAT WAS NOT SHOWING OVERHEATING. I TRIED TO MAKE IT TO THE OFF RAMP LESS THAN 1.5 MILES. DEALER SAYS THAT THE RADIATOR HAS A HOLE IN IT AND THE HEAD HAS TO BE REBUILT AND THEY SAY THAT I MUST REPLACE THE TIMING BELT AND PULLEY'S . I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAUSE OF THIS INCIDENT WAS A BAD THERMOSTAT. THE HEAD ASSEMBLY, CYLINDER HEAD, SPARK PLUGS, HOSES WERE DAMAGED BEYOND REPAIR REPLACED. I ALSO HAVE REPLACED THE TIMING BELT, RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND AS OF MAY 15 2008 A NEW FAN CLUTCH. THE VEHICLE DOES NOT SHOWS ANY SIGNS OF OVERHEATING ON ANY GAUGES, AND DOES NOT SMOKE. YOU CAN ONLY HERE THE SOUND OF BOILING WATER IN THE RADIATOR. HOW DO YOU DIAGNOSE OVERHEATING PROBLEMS THAT CAN DO OVER $4000 DAMAGE TO A MOTOR WITH 55K MILES AND 5 YEARS OLD . CASE NUMBER --K14040462. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2008
Apr 2008

TL - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 45-50 MPH SHE HEARD A LOUD SOUND AND THE VEHICLE WAS SHAKING, RUNNING HOT AND STEAM AND SMOKE WAS COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THAT THE CLUTCH FAN FRAGMENTED AND BROKE AND WENT INTO THE RADIATOR. THE RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPAIRED, THE TIMING BELT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE HEAD GASKET HAD TO BE REPLACED, AND THE HEAD RESURFACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A SAFETY RECALL 07V161000 - ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 98,000. KG UPDATED 10/14/08 *BF UPDATED 10/23/08. *JB

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Aug 2008
Nov 2007

CAR OVERHEATED ON HIGHWAY AND STALLED. CALLED 911 FOR HELP. GOT TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP. OUTCOME ENGINE REPLACED. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Nov 2007
Nov 2007

CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER CONCERNING THE ENGINE COOLING FAN HOWEVER, THE DEALERSHIP THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED FROM IS NO LONGER IN BUSINESS. CONSUMER IS SEEKING ASSISTANCE FOR THIS MATTER . *MC THE CONSUMER PROVIDED A COPY OF RECALL LETTER PERTAINING TO HIS VEHICLE. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 1901
Jul 2007

TRAVELED APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES FROM HOME, 96 DEGREES OUTSIDE, AND HEARD LOUD NOISE. PULLED TO SIDE OF ROAD AND TURNED VEHICLE OF. -PICKED UP PIECES OF WHAT TURNED OUT TO BE FAN BLADE FROM MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. AFTER LOOKING INSIDE THE HOOD DISCOVERED LARGE HOLES IN RADIATOR-SUBSEQUENTLY TOWED VEHICLES FOR REPAIR OF FAN, BLADES,CLUTCH ASSEMBLY AND RADIATOR-VEHICLE STILL NOT OPERABLE. RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE FROM KIA 2 WEEKS LATER. VEHICLE THEN TOWED TO DEALER, WHERE IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE HEAD ASSEMBLY BECAME WARPED DUE TO THE RADIATOR BEING DAMAGED BY THE FAULTY FAN. KIA MOTORS CLAIMED CASE WA S CLOSED, NO RESOLUTION RECEIVED. VEHICLE REMAINED INOPERABLE AT THIS TIME.*AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2007
Jul 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD BANG AND THEN THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND SHUT OFF. HE NOTICED WHITE SMOKE COMING FROM THE REAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE COOLING FAN DISINTEGRATED. NHTSA RECALL NUMBER 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN) WAS FOUND. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WOULD REPLACE THE FAN. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE DAMAGED RADIATOR CAUSED BY THE DEFECTIVE FAN SHOULD BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 31,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2007
Jun 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN). THE KIA DEALER IS NOT ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPOINTMENTS UNTIL OCTOBER OF 2007 FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT HAS NOT EXPERIENCED ANY FAILURES AT THIS TIME. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 50,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS INAPPLICABLE.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2007
Jun 2007

CRACKED COOLING FAN MADE THE VEHICLE STOP RUNNING. *AK

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Sep 2007
Jun 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 07V161000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: FANS). THE LETTER STATED THAT IF THE BELT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AS PART OF REGULAR MAINTENANCE, THEN THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPLACEMENT AND LABOR FEE OF $100 PER HOUR. PRESENTLY, NO FAILURES HAVE OCCURRED. THE POWERTRAIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 71,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2007
Jun 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE BLADES ON HIS COOLING FAN BEGAN TO COME OFF, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. THIS WAS A COUPLE OF YEARS AGO; RECENTLY A SAFETY RECALL (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING: COOLING SYSTEM FAN - 07V161000) WAS RECIEVED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT PROVIDED REIMBURSEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE IS 93,314. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jun 2007
May 2007

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. I HEARD A LOUD BOOM AS IT SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR. I PULLED OVER AND LOOKED UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAN BLADE WAS IN 5 PIECES. THE PIECES HAD GONE INTO THE RADIATOR AND BROKE THE FAN SHROUD. STEAM WAS COMING OUT OF THE HOLES IN THE RADIATOR. *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: May 2007
Apr 2007

2002 KIA SPORTAGE CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE FAN WAS BROKEN BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICE WAS SENT. ONE OF THE BLADES WENT THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND SHOULD KIA PAY FOR IT**CC *TR

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 1901
Mar 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE ROARED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE MANIFOLD CRACKED AND REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 83,846 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000.

Type: Vehicle, Vehicle: 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.
Incident: Jan 2004

Trend Over Time

Complaints by year

Quick Summary

The 2002 Kia Sportage has 46 Engine complaints on file. Review the timeline above for detailed owner experiences.