2001 KIA Sportage problems
Owners have filed 354 complaints about the 2001 KIA Sportage with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 15.5% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 15%.
Complaints354
Crashes31
Fires7
Injuries25
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 15.5% · 55
Fuel system, gasoline 15.0% · 53
Electrical system 7.1% · 25
Service brakes, hydraulic 7.1% · 25
Structure 6.8% · 24
Power train 6.5% · 23
Air bags 5.9% · 21
Suspension 5.6% · 20
Severity
Of those complaints, 31 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 25 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 21 model years of the KIA Sportage in this data, 2001 sits 7th by complaint volume. 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 7 in the last three years against 23 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 48,595 miles.
In owners' own words
: The contact stated the check engine light has been illuminating and the transmission has had failures in shifting gears since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The ect connector has been replaced and the sensor has been reprogrammed multiple times. The problem persists despite the repairs. The thermostat was replaced. Updated 02/13/06. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 40,111 miles
Dt: the contact stated engine light illuminated intermittently and the rpm gauge was reading incorrectly, either very high or not reading at all when the same amount of pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. Also, the exhaust was glowing red underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the dealership eight times, and they have been unable to diagnosis the problem. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 40,000 miles
While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard. The vehicle started to decelerate. When consumer pulled into a driveway vehicle caught on fire. Fire department extinguished the fire. *Ak the consumer's attorney believed it was a defect in the vehicle's structure. KIA denied any responsibility. (Consumer on behalf of granddaughter) Engine and engine cooling · reported at 20,000 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other KIA Sportage years
1997 299 complaints · 21.1% engine and engine cooling 1998 558 complaints · 16.3% engine and engine cooling 1999 493 complaints · 18.5% engine and engine cooling 2000 462 complaints · 18.0% fuel system, gasoline 2002 321 complaints · 22.4% engine and engine cooling 2006 169 complaints · 22.5% air bags