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Model Year Problem Record

Kia Sportage 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Kia Sportage: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

234Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
26Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine74 complaints

74 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V161000.

Fuel and Propulsion System68 complaints

68 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes26 complaints

26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System18 complaints

18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags17 complaints

17 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility15 complaints

15 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts9 complaints

9 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

07V161000Reported April 16, 2007 - 35,090 vehicles potentially affected

Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on April 16, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 35,090 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA06007Opened May 9, 2006 - Closed November 30, 2007

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA06007Opened May 9, 2006 - Closed November 30, 2007

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA06007Opened May 9, 2006 - Closed November 30, 2007

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA07001Opened January 22, 2007 - Closed April 16, 2007

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION. Resulted in recall campaign 07V161000.

PE06042Opened September 21, 2006 - Closed January 22, 2007

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

RQ03007Opened October 14, 2003 - Closed February 27, 2004

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 04V305000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200229
200324
200423
200513
200615
200720
200812
200917
201017
201118
20128
20139
201413
20156
20165
20175
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.