Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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 contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. On November 21, 2006, while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle began to smoke. The contact noticed the smoke entering through the air vents on the passenger side of the vehicle. She pulled to the side of the road and called her local Kia dealer to inquire if she could bring her vehicle in for service. The dealer advised her to bring it in the following day. The dealer replaced the blower motor, but the failure continued for the next three years. The contact also had the brake pads replaced, but the dealer has been unable to remedy the failure. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 05/13/08 the check engine light illuminated. Updated
I bought the car 2 weeks after I left dealer started noticing a smell of gas though was. Because just put gas in .then when turned on heat smell would get worse ! A few days ago went to fill gas and a lot gas over.filled onto ground not able to figure out why the smell gas so strong inside car its. Actually upset my stomach when driving the. At and afraid going start fire ! Also leakage on ground when parked . I have read other complaints with same problem !! It's a 2001 Kia. Only has 78,000 miles on it think should be cover. From company since not only one with this problem .
My Kia Sportage 4wd just recently tripped 100,000 and now everything appears to be going wrong. The check engine light came on and the engine suddenly began losing power. The first day it struggled only at start off acceleration and up hills. The second day it stalled while being started and struggled at acceleration even on flat highway. Now, just 5 days later, it won't go above 40mph and loses power when you apply the gas pedal. There is a strong burnt rubber smell that we've noticed for some time. The first time we noticed it, the dealership said nothing was wrong. Now we are out of warranty. Not only is the check engine light on, but today, the hold light began to flash. According to the book, this depicts an electrical problem with the transmission. We called the dealership on, but have not received a phone call in return. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that both rear power windows were inoperable. The air bag warning light also remained illuminated. The dealer repaired the windows and in the process, the security alarm independently sounded. The dealer was unable to shut off the alarm and then disconnected the fuse. The dealer also disconnected the air bag sensor. In addition, the door and seat belt alarms were inoperable. The door lock also would not engage. The dealer advised he would not take possession of the vehicle. The manufacturer was not contacted. The vehicle was not further repaired. The contact refused to drive the vehicle due to the unsafe nature of the many failures. The failure and current mileages were approximately 97,500.
Vehicle's engine and A/C failed. The consumer had to replace two engines within a 40000 mile usage. The vehicle stopped dead on a very busy us route 1 hwy. The sudden stop caused a traffic tie up and the vehicle was nearly rear ended by a air conditioning, the vehicle needed a complete engine replacement, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, drive belts out of tension, cruise control, v belts replaced, brakes and rotors, exhaust system.
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). They have also replaced the cat.convertor x3, timing belt due to abnormal streching,and 2 ignition coils.
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 this problem.
Electrical system failed and caused several components to malfunction. The hazard warning signal light engaged by itself, which caused a rear end collision and drained the battery. Also, engine light continuously illuminated. The cause of the failure was undetermined because the dealership was unable to duplicate the problem.
2001 Kia Sportage suffered two complete engine failures. Along with the engine failures, there were problems with the radio, battery and the terminals, front brakes, a sensor knock, exhaust system, air condition, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, front pads and rotors, cruise control, and a defective idler arm.
I bought a Kia 2001 on 7/13/2005 and since then I had to take it back 4 times. The engine check light comes on along with the brake light and once the hold light. The car has only 34,500 miles on it! This is a 2001 4x4 Sportage and its very stressful .
Electrical complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2001 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Kia Sportage, 10% of the model year's 228 complaints. The component named most often is wiring (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Kia Sportage electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 40,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.