KnownCarProblems2001 Kia Sportage Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 228 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Kia Sportage, most often about the fuel system (27% of complaints, typically around 70,500 miles). It is 6th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints.
Most common 2001 Kia Sportage problems
Fuel system
62 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 70,500 miles. Parts named most often: storage, fuel injection system, delivery.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. When the heat is activated, a strong gaseous odor comes through the vents. The vehicle was taken to a shop, but the mechanic could not find anything wrong. The vents were not cleaned and no components were replaced. The vehicle will be taken to a dealer for a diagnosis. The current…
Tl contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact smelled gasoline in the vehicle and took it to the mechanic. It was discovered that the tank was leaking due to a loose seam. As a result, the contact cannot fill up the gas tank in the vehicle. She discovered on the internet that there were other complaints for this…
Engine
46 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
: the contact stated the check engine light has been illuminating and the transmission has had failures in shifting gears since the vehicle was purchased. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop. The ect connector has been replaced and the sensor has been reprogrammed multiple times. The problem persists…
Dt: the contact stated engine light illuminated intermittently and the RPM gauge was reading incorrectly, either very high or not reading at all when the same amount of pressure was applied to the accelerator pedal. Also, the exhaust was glowing red underneath the vehicle. The contact took the vehicle to the…
Brakes
27 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 20,000 miles. Parts named most often: foundation components, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, power assist, disc.
Brake rotors and pads replaced every 12,000 miles. The last time vehicle was repaired, the rotors, pads and calipers were replaced. Consumer stated brakes were replaced three times. Dealer claimed it was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Please provide further information.
On july 7th, my vehicle was taken to harris Kia in lansdale because the 2001 Kia Sportage was vibrating when the brakes were applied. It was found that both front rotors were warped after only 19,000 miles. Under normal driving conditions, rotors should last 60,000 miles. Kia has serious problem, these rotors are…
Body and structure
24 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 95,500 miles. Parts named most often: frame and members, body.
Stabilizer connected to the chasis rotted from the frame and the brakes stopped working because where the brake line was connected to the frame was rotted. Brought the car to an independent mechanic to find this out. Cannot drive the vehicle in current condition as it is extremely unsafe. I was lucky I wasn't going…
As my wife was driving home from work she noticed the rear of the SUV was swaying upon further inspection of myself and an auto mechanic we found a crack in the rt rear frame the mechanic told US to park it and contact Kia. Told by Kia as this car was now over 100,000 miles that it was no longer covered and there was…
Electrical
23 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, alternator/generator/regulator.
The car keeps stalling just quits when I slow down. I had two mechanics check it out. Filled the tank with new gas, and nothing showed up on the electrical check. It is a mystery why this keeps happening. I am worried that this might happen on a major highway. And I don't want to sell the car and give someone else…
The truck would not start at times and kept blowing fuses.. Dealer found problem to be in the engine harness connector. Also in 10/03, one night while I was driving home from work late, my truck stulled on me, and the shifter was very loose, took to dealer and they replaced the drive shaft and rear main seal (x3).…
Transmission
22 complaints · 10%Half of these problems showed up before 45,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, transfer case (4-wheel drive), axle assembly, manual transmission.
: the contact stated while driving 10mph in snowy conditions, the right front wheel dislodged from the axle. The vehicle was in 4 wheel drive when the incident occurred. It was pulled to the side of the road safely and was towed to the dealership for inspection. The vehicle received regular maintenance and inspection…
2001 Kia Sportage temperature gauge never registered that the engine was running hot. The consumer had to have the engine replaced. The coolant sensor malfunctioned, the rear hatch panel inside fell off, new clips were installed. Replaced manual transmission clutch, timing belt was replaced, wind noise from front…
Suspension
20 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 65,500 miles. Parts named most often: front, multiple axle, rear.
The contact owns a 2001 Kia sportgage. The contact was driving 40 MPH when she lost control of the vehicle and experienced a difficult time steering straight. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The mechanic stated that the track bar, which was connected to the rear axle, was corroded and needed replacement.…
2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 with 76k miles. Within the last 3 weeks I have had to have the front brakes totally replaced, alternator and 2 belts replaced, muffler tailpipe rusted thru, and both front bearing hubs need to be replaced (wobbly).
Air bags
20 complaints · 9%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal, side/window.
Traveling at 60 MPH, I hydroplaned and lost control of my 2001 Kia Sportage, impacting a barricade with the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not inflate and the seat belt did not keep me restrained allowing my head to impact the front windshield.
Was traveling about 35 MPH. Two vehicles in front of me collided and then both slid into me head on. Damage to my vehicle was in excess of $5,000. Neither air bag deployed. Driver and front passenger sustained minor soft tissue injuries.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Kia Sportage recalls
NHTSA lists no recalls for this model year.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
Summary
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.review of the warranty data revealed elevated tank leakage experience in vehicles produced from june 1999 to october 2000.analysis of complaints and warranty claims identified multiple causes and origins of fuel tank assembly leakage.the majority of complaints involve non-specific allegations of fuel leakage where more than one fuel system component was replaced.odi's analysis focused on leaks occurring on the underside of the tank due to corrosive failure caused by disruption of the protective pvc coating.the analysisindicates that such leaks are rare and do not show evidence of an increasing trend. Accordingly, this investi
Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
Summary
Information received and analyzed during this rq disclosed that my 1999 and 2000 kia sephia and sportage vehicles were equipped with modified versions of the same safety belt latch assembly as those recalled in campaign no. 02v-216.these latch assemblies were identified as type a97. Odi analyses indicate a continuing trend of consumer complaints following a series of design modifications made by kia to improve the a97 latch assembly.my 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles were equipped with different design latch assemblies (type db-6 or autoliv) and exhibit a much lower complaint count.this rq has been upgraded to an ea in order to further investigate this matter for the subject vehicles equipped
Questions about the 2001 Kia Sportage
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Kia Sportage?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (62 complaints, typically around 70,500 miles); engine (46 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); brakes (27 complaints, typically around 20,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Sportage have?
- NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2001 Kia Sportage. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls in case one is issued later.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Kia Sportage?
- It is 6th of 26 Sportage model years by number of complaints, with 228 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.