2002 KIA SPORTAGE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
321
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
2
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
The 2002 KIA SPORTAGE has received a total of 321 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN. 2 technical service bulletins have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Fuel System Gasoline (35 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan (22 complaints), and Fuelpropulsion System (20 complaints).
Recalls for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE, potentially affecting up to 93,900 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →Recall 07V161000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
| 35,090 vehicles affected
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
321 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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...
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.
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.
Safety Rating for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
Kia America, Inc. has issued 2 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
014 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
COOLING FAN REPLACEMENT. *TT
51 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
SUBJECT REGARDING REPORTS OF DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE CODES P013A OR P013 BEING STORED. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 2002 KIA SPORTAGE.
Investigation EA07001 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN Closed
Opened:
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
Investigation PE06042 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN Closed
Opened:
FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION
Other Model Years of the KIA SPORTAGE
- 1997 KIA SPORTAGE — 299 complaints
- 1998 KIA SPORTAGE — 558 complaints
- 1999 KIA SPORTAGE — 493 complaints
- 2000 KIA SPORTAGE — 462 complaints
- 2001 KIA SPORTAGE — 354 complaints
- 2002 KIA SPORTAGE (current)
- 2003 KIA SPORTAGE — 4 complaints
- 2005 KIA SPORTAGE — 93 complaints
- 2006 KIA SPORTAGE — 169 complaints
- 2007 KIA SPORTAGE — 113 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints