Exterior Lighting:headlights
NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
2001 Kia Sportage Problems & Recalls
Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline — runs 2.5× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
228Complaints
2Recalls
25Crashes
4Fires
17Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Fuel System, Gasoline (10.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints here are 2.5× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 24 · 10.5% | Investigation closed | EA06007 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine | 15 · 6.6% | No official action | — |
| Air Bags:frontal | 13 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly | 13 · 5.7% | Investigation closed | EA06007 |
| Electrical System | 13 · 5.7% | No official action | — |
| Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls | 10 · 4.4% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Complaints by component
Percentages are the share of the 228 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
Recalls — 2 campaigns
Exterior Lighting
NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“THE VEHICLE FUEL SYSTEM FAILED. THE FAILED PARTS HAD TO BE ORDERED. *NLM”NHTSA complaint 10027260 — filed 07/11/2003 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
“WHILE FILLING GAS TANK, FUEL WILL SPILL OUT ONTO THE GROUND. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AKCONSUMER STATED WHILE FILLING TANK, A MOTOTRIST INFORMED HER THAT GAS WAS COMING…”NHTSA complaint 8015415 — filed 08/02/2002 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia Sportage?
Fuel system, gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 24 of 228 NHTSA complaints (10.5%), followed by engine and engine cooling:engine (15), air bags:frontal (13), fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly (13). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 2001 Kia Sportage have?
228 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 25 involved a crash, 4 involved a fire, and 17 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 2001 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes — 2 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 09E025000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 2001 Kia Sportage's reported problems?
0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.
