Vehicle Data Hub

2002 Kia Sportage fuel system problems

Owners reported fuel system problems in 68 complaints for the 2002 Kia Sportage, 21% of the complaints on file. It is the most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
68 21% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
65,000 miles 51 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
1 and 2
Injuries and deaths
1 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When fuel system problems show up

Fuel system complaints by mileage, 2002 Kia Sportage Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 65,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 2 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 9 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 10 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 10 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 6 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 7 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 3 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 2 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 2 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 65,000 miles
Based on 51 complaints that include mileage. 41% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles2
20k to 40k miles9
40k to 60k miles10
60k to 80k miles10
80k to 100k miles6
100k to 120k miles7
120k to 140k miles3
140k to 160k miles2
160k to 180k miles2
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 51 fuel system complaints that report mileage, the median is about 65,000 miles, and 41% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 crash, 2 fires, 1 injury.

What owners wrote

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted carbon monoxide and caused the contact to fall sleep. As a result, the contact lost control of the vehicle and crashed into a canal. The air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic. The contact drove the vehicle again and the failure recurred. As a result, the contact was involved in another crash. A police report was filed both times.

Reported at 148,000 miles, August 2016 CrashInjury

I have a 2002 kia sportage 4x4. Purchased in april 2004 with 3 years & 50k miles remaining on warranty. I trailered my boat to the lake and after leaving the lake the car died. Towed to an authorized kia dealer,dick hannah kia, vancouver,wa.98665 $161 tow bill! Diagnosis was water in the gas tank!! Turns out there is a evaporator charcoal canister mounted under the vehicle near the rear bumper which allowed water into the gas system. I am now faced with over $600 repair for draining the tank.

Reported at 24,500 miles, September 2004

Other problems reported for the 2002 Kia Sportage

Fuel system problems in other years

  • 2027
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Fuel system problems across all Kia models