NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 237 owner complaints for the 2002 Kia Sportage. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (69) and fuel system, gasoline (40). The EPA rates it 18–19 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.
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.
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 |
“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”
“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 VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED AS A GIFT FOR TEENAGE DRIVER. I WILL NOT ALLOW MY CHILDREN TO DRIVE IT DUE MY CONCERNS FOR THEIR SAFETY. *TR”
“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...”
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 | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 19 | $3,400 | 468 |
| Sportage 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| Sportage 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,550 | 494 |
| 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 |
3 safety recalls as of Oct 29, 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 237 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (69), fuel system, gasoline (40), structure (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2002 Kia Sportage at 18–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).