MYRModel Year Report

2002 Kia Sportage

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Kia Sportage
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Sportage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1995: 56 complaints 1995 1996: 57 complaints 1997: 181 complaints 1998: 303 complaints 1999: 284 complaints 1999 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 228 complaints 2002: 234 complaints 2002 2003: 4 complaints 2003 2005: 68 complaints 2006: 111 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 80 complaints 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 392 complaints 2012 2013: 380 complaints 2014: 122 complaints 2015: 146 complaints 2016: 130 complaints 2016 2017: 399 complaints 2018: 162 complaints 2019: 69 complaints 2020: 159 complaints 2020 2021: 50 complaints 2022: 45 complaints 2023: 186 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2024 2025: 49 complaints 2026: 26 complaints 2026
2002: 234 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199556
199657
1997181
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
20034
200568
2006111
200777
200898
200980
201020
2011181
2012392
2013380
2014122
2015146
2016130
2017399
2018162
201969
2020159
202150
202245
2023186
202468
202549
202626

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 31%

31% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 72 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing fan and engine.

FIRE
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 18%

18% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 41 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hoses, lines/piping, and fittings and tank assembly.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES 11%

11% of complaints: service brakes — 26 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic.

POWER TRAIN 10%

10% of complaints: power train — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED ON A SLIGHT INCLINE WITHOUT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED AND THE KEY STILL IN THE IGNITION WHEN THE VEHICLE ROLLED 20 FEET AWAY AND CRASHED INTO A NEARBY HOUSE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130613

STRUCTURE 10%

10% of complaints: structure — 24 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frame and members and body.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

I BOUGHT THIS CAR KNOWING I HAD TO REPLACE A FENDER AND THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140622

DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR STAYS AJAR. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT DOOR WAS NOT OFF LINE, YET DOOR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020313

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 234
I 20031014 — RQ (closed 20040227)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

I 20060509 — EA (closed 20071130)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

I 20060921 — PE (closed 20070122)

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION

I 20070122 — EA (closed 20070416)

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION

R 20070611 — engine and engine cooling

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 INITIA

Remedy: 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.

Campaign 07V161000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (72 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (41 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (26 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 07V161000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Kia Sportage reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Kia Sportage is rated "worse than typical".

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

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 31% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.