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, with holes and cannot be inspected or driven safely...we have less than 90,000 miles on it. Why hasn't there been a safety recall on this frame issue...the dealer just said "now is the time to buy another vehicle!" their warranty for 10 years or 100k miles is not helpful for those of us that put on few mile per year! Never buy a kia...ever...
The worst 2002 Kia Sportage problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Engine71
- Fuel system67
- Brakes25
- Body23
- Transmission23
- Airbags17
- Electrical16
- Visibility15
- Suspension12
- Seat belts9
- Steering9
- Lights4
- Acceleration3
- Wheels3
- Driver assistance1
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Kia Sportage
Fuel smell 30Check engine light 16Fuel leak 14No deployment 10Stalling 9Fire or smoke 7Jerking 6Grinding brakes 5Fuel pump 5Overheating 5
Recalls 1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles, the heat generated by the engine causes repeated bending deformation of the polypropylene cooling fan including its retaining ring, which stresses the polypropylene thereby initiating cracking of the blades. The centrifugal forces generated by the rotation of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.
- Risk
- Separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on june 11, 2007. Owners may contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 07V161000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 2002 Kia Sportage
Defect investigations
Fan blade cracking/separation
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 the federal safety agency recall 07v161 for more detailed information
EA07001
Fan blade cracking/separation
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.
PE06042
Fuel tank leakage
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 the federal safety agency 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.
EA06007
Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
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.
RQ03007
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Kia Sportage 9
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- TSB - use of aftermarket USB charging cables in USB/12V ports
- Kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear...
- Fuel pump relays & emissions failures
- Cooling fan replacement
- Subject regarding reports of diagnostic trouble codes P013A or P013 being stored
2002 Kia Sportage fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | RWD | 16-17 | 20-21 | 18-19 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 16-17 | 20 | 18-19 |
What 2002 Kia Sportage owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 uncontrollably while driving. When looking at the car we noticed the whole frame is rusted and falling apart. This is a huge safety problem, especially when it was being used to transport my children.
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 tank and splashes onto me and my clothing. I have called my kia dealer, but they say there is no recall for this. There are numerous complaints posted on this very same issue. Why would you let your consumers go through this?? Would they purchase another kia? Of course not! Please do the right thing and take action to rectify this for all kia owners who are getting splashed with gas when going to the gas station to refuel their tank. This is unbelievable that this can be left to go on for so long. Is a recall to fix this going to cost to much for the kia corp.? Now, I can only refuel by using a transfer pump and filling 5 gallon gas cans to transfer gas from with the transfer pump. This is not right! Fix the issue on behalf of all kia owners.
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 applied quickly. Driver side rear passenger window won't go down and motor in door still makes the noise like its wants to work but does not. Unable to pump more than a couple dollars of gas before it spits gas back out. While driving I smell electrical burning and wires under hood are burnt by the fan. Making the car hot due to fan not working properly.
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 are replaced, the hazzard signal blows all the fuses, there is a recall on before this year and some after, but not this one. Gas fumes inside the vehicle, no dealer in our community can find the problem. Shifter is stuck in park, the by pass key works but it will not shift without it.
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 result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a canal. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact drove the vehicle again and the failure recurred. As a result, the contact was involved in another crash. A police report was filed both times. The contact sustained fractured ribs and pelvic injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The VIN was not provided.
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 VIN [xxx] with 87k miles and on july 4th she stopped for a light and the car started to run rough and than stop running, she looked out the window and the road was covered with rough gas from her car thankfully there was a patrol car in back of her and could redirect the traffic and call for back up to hand push the kia off the road I called the local kia dealer and was told that this vehicle was not under the gas ( fire safety concern ) sc-o48 I asked what parts needed and could not an answer so if they are dot going to fix I could get the parts and have my mechanic make the repairs I believe that you should have kia expand this recall so that some one else's grand daughter will not be put in harms way under this recall I thank you for any consideration you can make regarding this matter. Thanks [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
"takata recall" nothing new, same as this and many other complaints ... Component(s): fuel system, gasoline fumes,air bags light stays on, hold light stays on, rust underneath the car,windows dont work, only back left door opens, AC dont work, will run hot if on. Consumer location: california all products associated with this complaint expand details close help manufacturer: kia motors america summary: there is a very strong raw gas smell that permeates the cabin and outside the vehicle. It is very noticeable upon starting and when the vehicle is at rest and running. I have taken this vehicle to numerous mechanics to include the local kia dealer to resolve the problem - new fuel filter, exhaust, etc. With no positive results. A search of the internet turned up a very common problem with the 99-02 sportage gas tanks leaking due corrosion caused by poor design/material. I am filing this complaint in hopes that the federal safety agency will conduct an investigation and recall of this make/model/yr vehicle to correct this very serious problem. This car has not been driven for over a yr.
Rear section of vehicle frame is rotted beyond a safe condition to continue use. Rear suspension mount points are crumbling and falling off. Vehicle has 38,000 miles. Vehicle always parked on pavement or concrete and used as a primary vehicle for an older female. Vehicle used very little during winter snow conditions.
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 it checked out. The seller had replaced the filler hose, and had said the previous owner had replaced the gas tank, so he said there shouldn't have been any issues. I have two grandchildren that need to be able to ride safely in this car, and I refuse to drive it with this leak on there. From the other reports that I am reading, this is a major issue, along with the rusted frame on the car. Kia should not be allowed to continue to sell cars without fixing these other major issues.
Compare the 2002 Kia Sportage
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Other model years
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Questions about the 2002 Kia Sportage
Is the 2002 Kia Sportage reliable?
Owners have filed 234 complaints about the 2002 Kia Sportage, 1.7 times a typical Sportage model year.
What is the 2002 Kia Sportage year score?
The 2002 Kia Sportage scores 55 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Kia Sportage: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Kia Sportage?
Engine and cooling, with 71 complaints, typically around 63,400 miles. Next is fuel system (67).
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?
1 recall, covering engine and engine cooling.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Kia Sportage engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 07V161000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sportage have bad engine?
The Kia Sportage model years with the most engine complaints are 2012 (330 complaints), 2013 (313 complaints) and 2017 (230 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Sportage get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Kia Sportage range from 18 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 16-17 city and 20-21 highway.
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