2002 Kia Sportage

Above average

Owners filed 234 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the fuel system, gasoline. It has been recalled 3 times.

When it fails
020k40k60k90k120k200k
60,000 milesMedian miles at failure

152 complaints record an odometer reading. Failures cluster around 60,00075,000 miles.

What fails
ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Fuel System, Gasoline33
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan21
000
Fuel/Propulsion System15
101
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Foundation Components › Disc › Rotor9
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System9
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine8
010
Engine and Engine Cooling8
010
Electrical System8
011
Air Bags › Frontal8
703
Structure › Frame and Members7
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Headlights09E025000
Filed May 11, 200942,540 vehiclesDope, Inc.

Defect. 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Exterior Lighting09E012000
Filed Apr 7, 200916,270 vehiclesSabersport

Defect. 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk. DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

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.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Fan07V161000
Filed Apr 16, 200735,090 vehiclesKia Motors America, Inc.

Defect. 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.

Risk. SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADE(S) CAN CREATE A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Structure › Body
Filed Jul 27, 2017ME

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 SAID "NOW IS THE TIME TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE!" THEIR WARRANTY FOR 10 YEARS OR 100K MILES IS NOT HELPFUL FOR THOSE OF US THAT PUT ON FEW MILE PER YEAR! NEVER BUY A KIA...EVER...

Structure › Body
Filed Jul 17, 2017163,000 milesIN

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 TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Apr 23, 2017178,000 milesPA

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 ISSUE. WHY WOULD YOU LET YOUR CONSUMERS GO THROUGH THIS?? WOULD THEY PURCHASE ANOTHER KIA? OF COURSE NOT! PLEASE DO THE RIGHT THING AND TAKE ACTION TO RECTIFY THIS FOR ALL KIA OWNERS WHO ARE GETTING SPLASHED WITH GAS WHEN GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO REFUEL THEIR TANK. THIS IS UNBELIEVABLE THAT THIS CAN BE LEFT TO GO ON FOR SO LONG. IS A RECALL TO FIX THIS GOING TO COST TO MUCH FOR THE KIA CORP.? NOW, I CAN ONLY REFUEL BY USING A TRANSFER PUMP AND FILLING 5 GALLON GAS CANS TO TRANSFER GAS FROM WITH THE TRANSFER PUMP. THIS IS NOT RIGHT! FIX THE ISSUE ON BEHALF OF ALL KIA OWNERS.

Electrical System
Filed Mar 8, 2017CA

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 COUPLE DOLLARS OF GAS BEFORE IT SPITS GAS BACK OUT. WHILE DRIVING I SMELL ELECTRICAL BURNING AND WIRES UNDER HOOD ARE BURNT BY THE FAN. MAKING THE CAR HOT DUE TO FAN NOT WORKING PROPERLY.

Electrical System
Filed Feb 8, 2017113,150 milesAK

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 OUR COMMUNITY CAN FIND THE PROBLEM. SHIFTER IS STUCK IN PARK, THE BY PASS KEY WORKS BUT IT WILL NOT SHIFT WITHOUT IT.

Fuel/Propulsion SystemCrash1 injured
Filed Aug 25, 2016148,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED CARBON MONOXIDE AND CAUSED THE CONTACT TO FALL SLEEP. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A CANAL. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE AGAIN AND THE FAILURE RECURRED. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT WAS INVOLVED IN ANOTHER CRASH. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED BOTH TIMES. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED FRACTURED RIBS AND PELVIC INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 148,000. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jul 6, 201687,540 milesFL

TAKATA RECALL I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY GRANDDAUGHTER ON 6-6-2016 IT HAS ALL THE SYMPTOMS OF KIA'S RECALL # CS-048 THE CAR IS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE VIN [XXX] WITH 87K MILES AND ON JULY 4TH SHE STOPPED FOR A LIGHT AND THE CAR STARTED TO RUN ROUGH AND THAN STOP RUNNING, SHE LOOKED OUT THE WINDOW AND THE ROAD WAS COVERED WITH ROUGH GAS FROM HER CAR THANKFULLY THERE WAS A PATROL CAR IN BACK OF HER AND COULD REDIRECT THE TRAFFIC AND CALL FOR BACK UP TO HAND PUSH THE KIA OFF THE ROAD I CALLED THE LOCAL KIA DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER THE GAS ( FIRE SAFETY CONCERN ) SC-O48 I ASKED WHAT PARTS NEEDED AND COULD NOT AN ANSWER SO IF THEY ARE DOT GOING TO FIX I COULD GET THE PARTS AND HAVE MY MECHANIC MAKE THE REPAIRS I BELIEVE THAT YOU SHOULD HAVE KIA EXPAND THIS RECALL SO THAT SOME ONE ELSE'S GRAND DAUGHTER WILL NOT BE PUT IN HARMS WAY UNDER THIS RECALL I THANK YOU FOR ANY CONSIDERATION YOU CAN MAKE REGARDING THIS MATTER. THANKS [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Air Bags
Filed Jun 26, 2016CA

"TAKATA RECALL" NOTHING NEW, SAME AS THIS AND MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS ... COMPONENT(S): FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE FUMES,AIR BAGS LIGHT STAYS ON, HOLD LIGHT STAYS ON, RUST UNDERNEATH THE CAR,WINDOWS DONT WORK, ONLY BACK LEFT DOOR OPENS, AC DONT WORK, WILL RUN HOT IF ON. CONSUMER LOCATION: CALIFORNIA ALL PRODUCTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS COMPLAINT EXPAND DETAILS CLOSE HELP MANUFACTURER: KIA MOTORS AMERICA SUMMARY: THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW GAS SMELL THAT PERMEATES THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE UPON STARTING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT REST AND RUNNING. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO NUMEROUS MECHANICS TO INCLUDE THE LOCAL KIA DEALER TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM - NEW FUEL FILTER, EXHAUST, ETC. WITH NO POSITIVE RESULTS. A SEARCH OF THE INTERNET TURNED UP A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 99-02 SPORTAGE GAS TANKS LEAKING DUE CORROSION CAUSED BY POOR DESIGN/MATERIAL. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT IN HOPES THAT THE NHTSA WILL CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION AND RECALL OF THIS MAKE/MODEL/YR VEHICLE TO CORRECT THIS VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM. THIS CAR HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR OVER A YR.

Suspension
Filed May 9, 201638,500 milesMA

REAR SECTION OF VEHICLE FRAME IS ROTTED BEYOND A SAFE CONDITION TO CONTINUE USE. REAR SUSPENSION MOUNT POINTS ARE CRUMBLING AND FALLING OFF. VEHICLE HAS 38,000 MILES. VEHICLE ALWAYS PARKED ON PAVEMENT OR CONCRETE AND USED AS A PRIMARY VEHICLE FOR AN OLDER FEMALE. VEHICLE USED VERY LITTLE DURING WINTER SNOW CONDITIONS.

Air Bags
Filed Feb 8, 201658,400 milesMI

I BOUGHT A CAR LAST WEEK FROM A PRIVATE SELLER, AND IT HAS A GAS LEAK COMING FROM THE GAS TANK AREA. I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT IN YET TO A MECHANIC TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. THE SELLER HAD REPLACED THE FILLER HOSE, AND HAD SAID THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD REPLACED THE GAS TANK, SO HE SAID THERE SHOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ANY ISSUES. I HAVE TWO GRANDCHILDREN THAT NEED TO BE ABLE TO RIDE SAFELY IN THIS CAR, AND I REFUSE TO DRIVE IT WITH THIS LEAK ON THERE. FROM THE OTHER REPORTS THAT I AM READING, THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE, ALONG WITH THE RUSTED FRAME ON THE CAR. KIA SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO CONTINUE TO SELL CARS WITHOUT FIXING THESE OTHER MAJOR ISSUES.

Structure › Body
Filed Sep 30, 2015CT

MY CAR HAS RUSTED SIGNIFICANTLY UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE.. TO THE POINT WHERE IT APPEARS THAT IT RUSTED THE FRAME AND SHOCK ABSORBERS. MY CAR WAS MADE IN KOREA... WONDER IF THESE IMPORTS HAVE TO ADHERE TO THE SAME STANDARDS AS AMERICAN MADE CARS WITH UNDERBODY TREATMENT? ALSO THE FUEL BACKS-UP OUT OF THE GAS TANK... WHEN IN TRY TO GET THE REPLACEMENT PART... I HAVE BEEN GIVE NUMEROUS PARTS WHICH DO NOT FIT FROM THE DEALER. ALSO BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND ROOTERS GROUND DOWN BUT THEY KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS.

Service Brakes
Filed Jul 17, 2015120,600 milesIL

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND STARTED BRAKING FOR A RED LIGHT,MY BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY GONE,LUCKILY I WAS FAR ENOUGH FROM LIGHT & NOBODY WAS IN FRONT OF ME LIGHT TURNED GREEN,I WENT SLOW 20 MPH TO THE NEAREST FIRESTONE & COASTED IN.I THOUGHT I JUST NEEDED NEW BRAKES,THE MECHANICS PUT IT ON LIFT & SHOWED ME THE FRAME! IT WAS SO SEVERELY RUSTED THAT THE BRAKELINE HAD SNAPPED AWAY FROM FRAME.THEY CALLED 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS & NOBODY WILL TOUCH IT DUE TO LIABILITY ISSUES.I'M BESIDES MYSELF,I COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED OR KILLED SOMEONE ELSE.I'M ORIGINAL OWNER & CAR HAS BEEN IN GARAGE EVERYDAY FOR 12 YRS,HOW CAN THE FRAME BE BEYOND REPAIR AT 120,000 MILES.ALSO I'VE READ THE OTHER COMPLAINT'S ABOUT THE STRONG GAS ODORS & I HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM FOR YEARS,ALWAY'S IN THE WINTER.I LOVE MY CAR & NEED IT REPAIRED,KIA SHOULD FIX THE FRAME & RECALL THE MODEL,SOMEONE COULD BE KILLED IF IT HAPPENS TO THEM.NOW I HAVE TO RENT A CAR TO GO TO WORK & TRY TO GET IT FIXED,BUT FIRESTONE SAID WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTED,CHEAP METAL USED!SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE!ASAP

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Jun 14, 201530,000 milesCA

AN OVERWHELMING SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE CABIN, OVER THE YEARS HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING INCLUDING KIA DEALERS THAT COULD NOT SOLVE THE ISSUE UNTIL NOW. A FEW WEEKS AGO (APRIL 2015) AS I TRIED TO FILL THE CAR IT WOULD NOT ACCEPT FUEL SO I DETERMINED THE VENTING SYSTEM WAS FAULTY, I DISMANTLED IT AND FOUND THE CARBON FILLED BOX AT THE END OF THE VENT TO BE PLUGGED. AS I COULD NOT REPLACE IT I FORCED COMPRESSED AIR INTO IT AND CLEARED THE OBSTRUCTION (REPLACED IT LATER). THE STRONG SMELL HAS CEASED AND I CAN FILL WITH FUEL AGAIN. THIS COMMENT IS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE FILLED COMPLAINTS BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SATISFIED BY YOUR ORGANIZATION.

Wheels
Filed May 26, 2015MS

THE WHEEL STARTED SCREECHING AND IT FELT LIKE IT WAS ABOUT TO FALL APART I HAD TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP AS IT CUT OUT ON ME IN TRAFFIC ON A HIGHWAY ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Mar 11, 201555,000 milesWA

NOTICING STRONG ODOR OF FUEL COMING THROUGH THE VENTS DURING TIMES OF COLD WEATHER. IT HAS BECOME MORE OF AN ISSUE SINCE I HAVE BEEN DRIVING THIS CAR MORE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO 2 MECHANICS WHO TELL ME THAT THEY HAVE NOT SMELLED THE ODOR, EVEN AFTER GIVING ONE OF THEM THE CAR OVERNIGHT. HOWEVER, MY HUSBAND HAS NOTICED IT SO I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. IT IS BEGINNING TO CAUSE ME TO HAVE NAUSEA AS I DRIVE UP TO 100 MILES PER DAY 3 DAYS PER WEEK. AS THE CAR HEATS UP AND AS THE WEATHER WARMS THROUGHOUT THE DAY THE FUEL SMELL DOES GO AWAY. HOWEVER, I HAVE 2 CHILDREN RIDING IN THE BACK SEAT AND AM CONCERNED FOR THEIR HEALTH AND SAFETY AS WELL. AS I RESEARCH, I HAVE REALIZED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF VEHICLE AND THE ISSUE CAN BE EASILY FIXED. MY HUSBAND AND I WILL BE TAKING STEPS TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM OURSELVES, BUT I CANNOT SEE HOW WHEN THIS IS SUCH A POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, AND MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN MADE, THAT THE MANUFACTURER COULD NOT HAVE RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. THIS IS IRRESPONSIBLE ON BEHALF OF THE MANUFACTURER AND REFLECTS POOR BUSINESS PRACTICES. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Feb 13, 201570,000 milesTN

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AROMA OF FUEL WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE FUEL SCENT VANISHED AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS WARMED UP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED NUMEROUS TIMES DURING THE WINTER. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000.

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 28, 2014162,180 milesVA

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL FUMES WERE PRESENT IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK COMING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,180.

Seat Belts
Filed Oct 20, 201454,000 milesFL

JUST GETTING IN VEHICLE READY TO PUT ON MY SEAT BELT IT WOULD NOT TIGHTEN NOR RETRACT BACK IN SO I COULD TRY AGAIN NOW THE SEAT BELT WILL NOT TIGHTEN AT ALL IT IS VERY UNSAFE I WILL GET TICKTED. I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE AS IS. *TR

Fuel/Propulsion System
Filed Oct 6, 2014117,500 milesMI

THERE IS A VERY STRONG RAW GAS SMELL THAT FILLS THE CABIN AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS VERY NOTICEABLE UPON STARTING AND WHEN THE VEHICLE IS AT REST AND RUNNING. FUEL TANK LEAKING. SEAM AREAS AND FUEL PUMP/SENDING UNIT AREA DUE TO CORROSION AND VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND I HAD A HARD TIME STARTING IT. THEN WHEN I TRIED TO DRIVE IT, ALL I COULD DO IS SMELL RAW GAS.------------------------ I HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL TANK, FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLY, ANY AND ALL PARTS ATTACHED TO FUEL TANK. (VERY EXPENSIVE). ON RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM, I HAVE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OWNERS COMPLAINING OF THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE SINCE FEBRUARY 2011, I HAVE NOT BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS SINCE BUYING THIS VEHICLE. IN FACT, UPON LEARNING OF MECHANICAL ISSUES I TRY TO HAVE THEM FIXED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (HOWEVER, I WAS GIVEN AN ORANGE TITLE. WHICH AT THE TIME, I DID NOT FULLY UNDERSTAND WHAT IT MEANT.) YET, THE VEHICLE DROVE WITH JUST MINOR PROBLEMS, SUCH AS: BRAKES, TIMING BELT, FUEL FILTER, OIL CHANGES, ETC). THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST EXPENSIVE AND MOST DAMAGING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. *TR

Structure › Body
Filed Oct 3, 201496,600 milesIN

FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. *TR

20 of 234 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2017
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
202627100Routine
202551100Routine
202469300Routine
2023191610Routine
202246120Routine
202151270Routine
20201602120Routine
201970230Routine
20181633120Routine
20173994270High concern
2016131250Routine
20151462110Routine
2014122310Routine
20133813220High concern
20123925160Above average
2011181680Routine
201020201Fatalities reported
200980380Routine
2008983240High concern
200777250Routine
2006111150Routine
200568320Routine
20034000Routine
2002 — this page234360Above average
2001228240Above average
2000304470Above average
1999284531Fatalities reported
1998303560Above average
1997181351Fatalities reported
199657330Routine
199556210Routine

Compare every Sportage year →

Reading this record

Complaint volume is well above typical for a single model year.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: May 11, 2009. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.