Model year
2002 Kia Sportage
NHTSA lists 1 recall and 234 complaints for the 2002 Kia Sportage (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (35), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN (22), FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (20). NHTSA lists 4 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–19 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$3,700, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 304 complaints
- 2001 228 complaints
- 2002 234 complaints
- 2005 68 complaints
- 2006 111 complaints
- 2007 77 complaints
- 2008 98 complaints
- 2009 80 complaints
- 2010 20 complaints
- 2011 181 complaints
- 2012 392 complaints
- 2013 381 complaints
- 2014 125 complaints
- 2015 146 complaints
- 2016 134 complaints
- 2017 403 complaints
- 2018 164 complaints
- 2019 71 complaints
- 2020 162 complaints
- 2021 54 complaints
- 2022 46 complaints
- 2023 193 complaints
- 2024 75 complaints
- 2025 55 complaints
- 2026 27 complaints
- 2027 1 complaints
Recalls
07V161000 · Apr 16, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
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…
Complaints
234 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 15, fire flag on 6, injury field 9, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| RQ03007 | SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION · SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | Oct 14, 2003 | Feb 27, 2004 |
| EA06007 | FUEL TANK LEAKAGE · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE; FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | May 9, 2006 | Nov 30, 2007 |
| PE06042 | FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | Sep 21, 2006 | Jan 22, 2007 |
| EA07001 | FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN | Jan 22, 2007 | Apr 16, 2007 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Sportage 2WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 21 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2L · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 16 | 20 | 18 | — | — | $3,700 |
| Sportage 4WD · 2L · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 17 | 20 | 19 | — | — | $3,550 |
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Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2002 Kia Sportage at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.