NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 228 owner complaints for the 2001 Kia Sportage. Most complaints involve fuel system, gasoline (50) and engine and engine cooling (45). The EPA rates it 17–19 mpg combined.
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.
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.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sportage model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 57 |
| 1997 | 187 |
| 1998 | 303 |
| 1999 | 284 |
| 2000 | 304 |
| 2001 | 228 |
| 2002 | 237 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 111 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2008 | 98 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 392 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 125 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 404 |
| 2018 | 165 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 194 |
| 2024 | 75 |
| 2025 | 55 |
| 2026 | 30 |
“JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY TEEN...WHEN FILLING GAS TANK IT BEGINS TO SPEW OUT ONTO HIM . ARE THE PERSON FILLING THE TANK.ALSO A BAD SMELL OF FUMES INSIDE OF CAR,,,,PLEASE HELP THE PROBLEM....*JS”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY BETWEEN 30-70 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND RESUMED NORMALLY YET THE FAILURE RECURRED AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THERE WAS A SEPARATE OCCASION WHEN THE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER EIGHT TIMES WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE FAILURE. THE PASSENGER SIDE WIRING HARNESS WAS CLEANED BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE FAILURE PERSISTED IN WHICH THERE WAS NO RESOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 05/05/11*LJ UPDATED 05/09/11”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGIN TO SHAKE, THE BRAKE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE BRAKES FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 01/12/16*LJ ;UPDATED VIN INVALID 4/25/18*JB *TR”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 21 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sportage 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Sportage 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, 2MODE · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Sportage 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, CLKUP · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Sportage 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, 2MODE · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Sportage 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, 2MODE CLKUP · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Sportage 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, 2MODE CLKUP · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,800 | 523 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
2 safety recalls as of Oct 28, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 228 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel system, gasoline (50), engine and engine cooling (45), structure (24). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Kia Sportage at 17–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).