The Lemon Index2002 Kia Sportage.
The 2002 Kia Sportage is worse than average by owner complaints: 89 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 194, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 3 recalls, and it gets 18 to 19 mpg combined. The best Kia Sportage year is 2010.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 234 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Kia Sportage year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 31K to 97K miles on the car (152 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 30K–87K miles
- fuel system, gasoline complaints mostly came at 44K–92K miles
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 42K–97K miles
Recalls 3
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
- engine 2007
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…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 9 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during…
- Technical service bulletin: information for headlamp condensation and moisture - this bulletin…
- Fuel pump relays & emissions failures
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedFan blade cracking/separation2007
- ClosedFuel tank leakage2006–2007
- ClosedFan blade cracking/separation2006–2007
- ClosedSeat belt buckle false latch/malfunction2003–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front — · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3400–3550 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
The vehicle's rotors and brakes failed prematurely. The cause has not been determined. The part has been replaced three times, however problem still exist.
2002 Kia Sportage owner · NHTSA complaint 10064835
More owner reports
While traveling and without any indication engine indicator light flashed.dealer has been contacted. Technician stated that when light flashed on it indicated emission problem. Please provide further information.
NHTSA complaint 8018938
The engine belts made a squeaking noise. Kia was not aware of the problem.
NHTSA complaint 10019763
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Kia Sportage reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.9× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 194; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Kia Sportage year by this measure is 2010.
What are the most common 2002 Kia Sportage problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (29%), brakes (20%) and visibility (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?
3 safety recalls (latest: lights). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Sportage get?
18 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Kia Sportage problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 31,200 and 97,900 miles. The middle report was at 59,800 miles, from 152 complaints.
Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Kia Sportage cost in fuel a year?
About $3400 to $3550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Kia Sportage have?
2.0L 4-cyl.
What Kia Sportage year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2010, 2022 and 2021.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works