2002 Kia Sportage engine problems

The 2002 Kia Sportage has 74 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

Engine complaints

23%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Sportage engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

07V161000EngineApril 16, 2007 · 35,090 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

SEPARATION OF THE FAN BLADE(S) CAN CREATE A RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ENGINE COOLING FAN WITH A FAN MADE OF IMPROVED MATERIAL. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 11, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

What owners report

“VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH OR MORE. CONSUMER EXTINGUISHED THE FIRES. AFTER THE LAST INCIDENT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE WAS DUE TO OIL DRIPPING ONTO THE MANIFOLD. MANUFACTURER WAS…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · November 3, 2004 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?

NHTSA has 74 complaints about the 2002 Kia Sportage engine — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Kia Sportage engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 07V161000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.