Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on April 16, 2007 (Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

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

Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (69 complaints), followed by fuel system, gasoline (40).

How many 2002 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?

15 of 234 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2002 Kia Sportage recalls and problems

1 recall and 234 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2002 Kia Sportage.

recalls

234

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2002 Kia Sportage recalls

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan

NHTSA campaign 07V161000 · reported April 16, 2007 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. · 35,090 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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 of the blades can cause the cracks to propagate until complete separation occurs.
The risk: Separation of the fan blade(s) can create a risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the engine cooling fan with a fan made of improved material. The recall began on june 11, 2007. Owners may contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Engine and engine cooling69
Fuel system, gasoline40
Power train23
Structure23
Service brakes, hydraulic21
Fuel/propulsion system20
Air bags17
Electrical system16
Visibility15
Suspension12

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Jul 27, 2017 · Structure
WE HAVE RELIGIOUSLY CLEANED OUR 2002 SPORTAGE WITH UNDER WASHING TO KEEP UNDER CARRIAGE AS CLEAN AS POSSIBLE...YET WE ARE TOLD THE FRAME IS TOO RUSTED, WITH HOLES AND CANNOT BE INSPECTED OR DRIVEN SAFELY...WE HAVE LESS THAN 90,000 MILES ON IT. WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS FRAME ISSUE...THE DEALER JUST…

Jul 17, 2017 · Structure · 163,000 miles
I PURCHASED A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE IN FEBRUARY OF 2017, AFTER DRIVING IT FOR A COUPLE MONTHS IT ALL THE SUDDEN STARTED ROCKING SIDE TO SIDE UNCONTROLLABLY WHILE DRIVING. WHEN LOOKING AT THE CAR WE NOTICED THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED AND FALLING APART. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY WHEN IT WAS BEING USED TO…

Apr 23, 2017 · Fuel/propulsion system · 178,000 miles
FOR THE PAST 3 YEARS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THE GAS TANK, WITH THE CAR STOPPED AND THE ENGINE OFF, GAS SUDDENLY SPURTS OUT THE GAS TANK AND SPLASHES ONTO ME AND MY CLOTHING. I HAVE CALLED MY KIA DEALER, BUT THEY SAY THERE IS NO RECALL FOR THIS. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS POSTED ON THIS VERY SAME…

Mar 8, 2017 · Electrical system
DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SHOULDER BELTS ARE FRAYED WHICH MAKES THEM UNABLE TO STAY SECURE. IT WON'T STOP UPPER BODY MOVEMENT WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED QUICKLY. DRIVER SIDE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW WON'T GO DOWN AND MOTOR IN DOOR STILL MAKES THE NOISE LIKE ITS WANTS TO WORK BUT DOES NOT. UNABLE TO PUMP MORE THAN A…

Feb 8, 2017 · Electrical system · 113,150 miles
WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS HIT WHILE PARKED THE BUMPER WAS DESTROYED THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE TUNE SIGNALS DO NOT WORK, THE FUSES BLOW EVEYTIME THEY ARE REPLACED, THE HAZZARD SIGNAL BLOWS ALL THE FUSES, THERE IS A RECALL ON BEFORE THIS YEAR AND SOME AFTER, BUT NOT THIS ONE. GAS FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE, NO DEALER IN…

Sportage model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	2	304	23	7
2001	0	228	25	4
2002	1	234	15	6
2003	0	4	0	0
2005	3	68	6	2

Across all years, the 2017 Sportage has the most complaints (403). All Kia Sportage years →

Questions

Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2002 Kia Sportage, the most recent reported on April 16, 2007 (Engine and engine cooling: cooling system, fan). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia Sportage?: Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine and engine cooling (69 complaints), followed by fuel system, gasoline (40).
How many 2002 Kia Sportage complaints mention a crash or fire?: 15 of 234 complaints report a crash and 6 a fire; 9 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received July 27, 2017.