CarModelProblems.com

2002 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 3.6× the fleet median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.
234Complaints
3Recalls
15Crashes
6Fires
9Injured
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 (15% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 1401 model-years tracked on this site.

3 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 3 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Fuel System, Gasoline35 · 15%Investigation closedEA06007
Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan22 · 9.4%RecalledRecall 07V161000
Fuel/propulsion System20 · 8.5%Investigation closedEA06007
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine12 · 5.1%RecalledRecall 07V161000
Electrical System12 · 5.1%No official action
Engine And Engine Cooling12 · 5.1%RecalledRecall 07V161000

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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE12 · 5.1%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM12 · 5.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING12 · 5.1%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM11 · 4.7%
AIR BAGS9 · 3.8%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR9 · 3.8%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL8 · 3.4%

Percentages are the share of the 234 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 — 3 campaigns

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan

NHTSA campaign 07V161000 · 2007 · reported 04/16/2007

SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADE(S) CAN CREATE A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

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

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

“2002 KIA SPORTAGE, GASOLINE ODOR/LEAK, BEEN SEEN BY DEALERS, WENT TO PRIVATE GARAGE AND HAD DIFFERENT DEALER LOOK AT IT TOO. TODAY, 1/17/2004 GAS ODOR…”NHTSA complaint 10106489 — filed 01/17/2005 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

38200343162005212320071218200929192011111020131792015992017

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia Sportage?

Fuel system, gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 35 of 234 NHTSA complaints (15%), followed by engine and engine cooling:cooling system:fan (22), fuel/propulsion system (20), engine and engine cooling:engine (12). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?

234 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 15 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 07V161000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2002 Kia Sportage's reported problems?

3 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.