2002 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Kia Sportage: 1 recall, 234 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
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Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Engine & cooling Vehicle recall #07V161000 · 2007 · 35,090 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (69): the most common themes are noise or vibration (15), warning light on (10), stalls / loses power (9).
- Fuel system (40): the most common themes are leaks (18), fire / smoke (8), warning light on (2).
- Body & structure (23): the most common themes are rust / corrosion (16), door / lock issues (5), noise or vibration (4).
- Transmission & drivetrain (23): the most common themes are noise or vibration (8), hard / delayed shifting (8), stalls / loses power (5).
The 2002 Kia Sportage has 234 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (1.5× the average Sportage year). Complaints peaked in 2002 (28 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 59,764 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (228 complaints, 0 recalls), 2003 (4 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Kia Sportage.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2002 Kia Sportage, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 234 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (69), fuel system (40), body & structure (23).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.