2002 KIA Sportage problems
Owners have filed 321 complaints about the 2002 KIA Sportage with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 22.4% of them — the clear leader, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 12.8%.
Complaints321
Crashes19
Fires7
Injuries11
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 22.4% · 72
Fuel system, gasoline 12.8% · 41
Power train 7.5% · 24
Structure 7.5% · 24
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.9% · 22
Fuel/propulsion system 6.2% · 20
Electrical system 5.6% · 18
Air bags 5.3% · 17
Severity
Of those complaints, 19 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 11 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 21 model years of the KIA Sportage in this data, 2002 sits 8th by complaint volume. 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 27 in the last three years against 38 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 58,400 miles.
In owners' own words
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. Engine and engine cooling
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. Engine and engine cooling
2002 KIA Sportage 35k mi. Noticed different engine sound, found that large cracks had formed between each fan blade, main blade driven by engine. Checked internet found that others had similar problems including breaking and radiator destruction. Plan to get fan from deal and install also ask about KIA parts bulletin 1500-0002 which concerns this fan blade. Engine and engine cooling
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 2001 354 complaints · 15.5% engine and engine cooling 2006 169 complaints · 22.5% air bags