2002 Kia Sportage engine and engine cooling problems
69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2002 Kia Sportage — 29% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“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…”
filed Oct 6, 2014
“Vehicle runs hot and will not pass the smog test. I replaced the thermostat three times and the radiator one time just recently. The diagnostic test shows that the engine cooling coil or system has a problem. I can no longer drive it because it will not pass the smog and I cannot get it…”
filed Aug 6, 2012
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related recalls
- ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION…Campaign 07V161000 · Apr 16, 2007
Related service bulletins
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 2018Cooling fan replacement. *tt
014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 1, 2003
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 Sportage | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 Sportage | 5 | 10% |
| 2020 Sportage | 9 | 6% |
| 2019 Sportage | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 Sportage | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 Sportage | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 Sportage | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 Sportage | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 Sportage | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 Sportage | 14 | 4% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2002 Kia Sportage
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.