Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. While driving at approximately 20 MPH, the vehicle begin to shake, the brake warning indicator illuminated, and the brakes failed. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the frame was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 150,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 01/12/16 ;updated VIN invalid 4/25/18
Purchased a 2001 Kia Sportage with 55200 miles. Went to Kia dealer because of fuel leak. Technician told me that the frame was so rotted on the vehicle and that if I hit a pot hole that the rear end could let go. The technician told me that from 1995 to 2001 Kia used low grade material on the frames of their vehicles and possibly did not coat them. He told me when he put my car on the lift that there was pieces of the frame dropping on the ground. He said he slightly tapped a hammer against the frame and it made holes. He told me that I should junk the vehicle and gave me paperwork stating the vehicle was unsafe to drive. I also had spoken to the owner of a used car dealership in my area prior to this and he told me that he could not sell the 1999 Kia Sportage that he purchased at auction with approx. 73,000 due to the frame rotting out. …
1 2001 Kia Sportage driving on highway. Dry pavement. Rear of vehicle sways side to side notice clunking sound intermittent 2. Chassis is rotted everytime vehicle driven failure occurs. Turning corners, accelerating, or if bags or luggage are loaded in rear of vehicle. Vehicle sways or feels like you are driving on very low tires in the rear of vehicle. 3.nothing can be done to correct the failure. The rear of the chassis is completely rotted on both chassis rails, also the cross member that stabilizes the rear of the chassis is so rotted there is a 5" oval hole through the cross member. Please look into this problem. The vehicle has been maintained looks great from the top but from underneath you can literally poke holes in the chassis with a screwdriver. Mechanic recommendation : unfit/unsafe for travel on public roads. Vehicle is presently sitting in yard undrivable. …
I was driving home July 14th 2010 when I began to hear a "thud" underneath my 2001 Kia Sportage. It was then that the brake light warning came on. I pressed the brakes, but they were not functioning at all. I had to travel over 20 miles back home on the freeway with no brakes. Luckily, I was able to maneuver the car back with no damage to it, myself, or my two friends who were riding with me. It turns out that what happened was that the frame was rotted out and thus fell suddenly, cutting the brake line. I later learned that the rotting of the frame was due to poor and negligent design. It is completely exposed and has no ventilation to flush out water and salt. It was a miracle that this didn't happen sooner and that I was able to get home with no injuries. …
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 nothing that could be done or it . Well we welded on a few pieces of steel and it lasted only another 3 months and it started again this time we checked and found that the frame was rotted from the passenger door to the back end of the vehicle you could put your finger thru it car is now parked and wont be driven again. Kia will do nothing about this. I went to the bone yard to see if they had a frame and the 7 kias that I checked all had the same problem if I were you and I owned a Kia I would check this out before I drove another mile.
Tl contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. While the contact was driving approximately 50 MPH, the rear end of the vehicle began to fish tail. The vehicle was pulled over to the side of the road and inspected. The vehicle resumed normally at a reduced speed. The failure occurred intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for inspection where they detected the main frame exhibited excessive rust corrosion near the fuel tank area. Also, the rear brake line was severely corroded. The main frame was ultra thin and damaged beyond repair. The technician replaced the brake line and advised that the vehicle not be driven due to the safety hazard. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000. The VIN was unavailable.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, she heard an unusual clunk and the brake warning light illuminated. The contact attempted to apply the brakes yet the brake pedal fell much farther into the floorboard than usual. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where she was advised that the frame was severely rusted at the rear cross member. The mechanic stated that when the part fractured from the vehicle, it struck the brake line, causing the failure. The manufacturer offered to take the liability for partial repair costs. The failure and current mileages were approximately 140,000.
I was hearing a clunk every time I started going forward and backwards and got underneath the car to notice the frame crossmember was totally separated from the frame. It is the frame crossbar that holds the rear axle support to the frame. The affected frame cross member goes underneath the gas tank and would require 2 days labor to fix at my local repair shop. To remove the gas tank is one project and to have a new welded support bar is another project and will cost alot to fix. I called Kia for possible recalls and they said "oh its out of warranty" goodluck with that!!! This car is unsafe and could have caused serious damage.
Over the span of the last 1 1/2 years I have had the following problems *rear seat belts locked up wouldn't loosen far enough to get my child out of the car. *front seat belts (both) would come open while the vehicle was in motion. *drivers side door wouldn't latch when trying to close it, had to jiggle the inside handle *spare tire arm wouldn't stay in the locked position when open. Still won't *four wheel drive wouldn't engage *lifter noise--collapsed lifter *head warped *check engine light had come on a few times holders (front and rear) fell apart *outside trim was fallling off.
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 fast and was able to get the car off the road. People should be notified to have this checked immediately, it could save someone's life.
Body complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 2001 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 24 complaints about the body & structure of the 2001 Kia Sportage, 11% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (8 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Kia Sportage body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure recall for the 2001 Kia Sportage. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2001 Kia Sportage body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles, and 15% before 25,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.