Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. The contact sustained fractured ribs and pelvic injuries that required medical attention. The failure mileage was approximately 148,000. The VIN was not provided.
Noticing strong odor of fuel coming through the vents during times of cold weather. It has become more of an issue since I have been driving this car more. I have taken it to 2 mechanics who tell me that they have not smelled the odor, even after giving one of them the car overnight. However, my husband has noticed it so I am not the only one. It is beginning to cause me to have nausea as I drive up to 100 miles per day 3 days per week. As the car heats up and as the weather warms throughout the day the fuel smell does go away. However, I have 2 children riding in the back seat and am concerned for their health and safety as well. As I research, I have realized that this is a common problem with this make and model of vehicle and the issue can be easily fixed. …
Takata recall I purchased this car for my granddaughter on 6-6-2016 it has all the symptoms of Kia's recall # cs-048 the car is a 2002 Kia Sportage VIN [redacted] with 87K miles and on July 4th she stopped for a light and the car started to run rough and than stop running, she looked out the window and the road was covered with rough gas from her car thankfully there was a patrol car in back of her and could redirect the traffic and call for back up to hand push the Kia off the road I called the local Kia dealer and was told that this vehicle was not under the gas ( fire safety concern ) sc-o48 I asked what parts needed and could not an answer so if they are dot going to fix I could get the parts and have my mechanic make the repairs I believe that you should have Kia expand this recall so that some one else's grand daughter will not be put in harms way under this recall I thank you for …
For the past 3 years when going to the gas station to refuel the gas tank, with the car stopped and the engine off, gas suddenly spurts out the gas tank and splashes onto me and my clothing. I have called my Kia dealer, but they say there is no recall for this. There are numerous complaints posted on this very same issue. Why would you let your consumers go through this?? Would they purchase another Kia? Of course not! Please do the right thing and take action to rectify this for all Kia owners who are getting splashed with gas when going to the gas station to refuel their tank. This is unbelievable that this can be left to go on for so long. Is a recall to fix this going to cost to much for the Kia corp.? Now, I can only refuel by using a transfer pump and filling 5 gallon gas cans to transfer gas from with the transfer pump. This is not right! Fix the issue on behalf of all Kia owners.
An overwhelming smell of gasoline inside the cabin, over the years have tried everything including Kia dealers that could not solve the issue until now. A few weeks ago (April 2015) as I tried to fill the car it would not accept fuel so I determined the venting system was faulty, I dismantled it and found the carbon filled box at the end of the vent to be plugged. As I could not replace it I forced compressed air into it and cleared the obstruction (replaced it later). The strong smell has ceased and I can fill with fuel again. This comment is for those that have filled complaints but have not been satisfied by your organization.
I bought a car last week from a private seller, and it has a gas leak coming from the gas tank area. I have not taken it in yet to a mechanic to have it checked out. The seller had replaced the filler hose, and had said the previous owner had replaced the gas tank, so he said there shouldn't have been any issues. I have two grandchildren that need to be able to ride safely in this car, and I refuse to drive it with this leak on there. From the other reports that I am reading, this is a major issue, along with the rusted frame on the car. Kia should not be allowed to continue to sell cars without fixing these other major issues.
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the aroma of fuel was present when the vehicle was started. The fuel scent vanished after the vehicle was warmed up. The failure occurred numerous times during the winter. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 70,000.
Purchased this car used in February 2008. When filling with gas, the gas has to be pumped extremely slow or it spurts out. The car has an odor of gas also. This problem is worse in the winter, although it has happened occasionally in warmer weather, but the minute the temperature goes below 40 f, I can count on this happening every time I put gas in the car. I've ruined clothes, shoes, and have ended up with gas all over my hands and legs (and I've come close to getting it in my face!!). The gas pump will shut off as if the tank is full and the gas just spurts right out of the tank. If I pump the gas extremely slow, (tonight it took me almost 10 minutes to pump about 6 gallons of gas), I can usually manage to get most of the gas in the tank, but again, I have to go extremely slow and the pump still keeps shutting off. …
After filling gas tank 1 week before, started noticing strong odor of gasoline inside the vehicle as well as outside of it. Had friend look at it, there was no discernible leaks, just extremely strong gas smell. Smell is so strong it makes people nauseous, light headed, has given me migraine headache. Cannot ride in car without windows down. This is predominately noticed with the cold weather sets in, below 40 degrees. This is definitely a safety/health hazard. Found many complaints online of same problem. This needs to be recalled and fixed by Kia as it is most definitely a manufacturing problem. Cannot seem to find what is causing this, it is probably the same problem that the 2005 Sportage recall states. I am terrified that it is going to cause a fire and I am going to get seriously hurt. Please do something. …
Fuel spill at wawa gas station. Recently my son fueled my 2002 Kia Sportage as I went in wawa; he didn't know fuel problem tried to fill the tank with that auto fill clip (where don't have hold) gas pump. Gallons of fuel spit, spilled in wide area pump other patrons avoided the area. Neighboring gas pumps had people on cell and smokers car were start up moving out with exhaust pipe in the direction of the spill. My son and his clothing was saturated with gas. This problem with the gas spilling and spitting several feet out of the gas tank is getting worst. The constant fuel vapors are causing me health problems. Anywhere I pump gas gasoline spills, everyone looks at me; I try to carefully to put the minimal taking 10-15minutes but cannot avoid spills. I'm retired can't afford another car and paid over $3800.00 in engine light, fuel repairs recently filed a complaint with the bbb. …
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank leakage
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.review of the warranty data revealed elevated tank leakage experience in vehicles produced from June 1999 to October 2000.analysis of complaints and warranty claims identified multiple causes and origins of fuel tank assembly leakage.the majority of complaints involve non-specific allegations of fuel leakage where more than one fuel system component…
Fuel System complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2002 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 67 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2002 Kia Sportage, 29% of the model year's 234 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Kia Sportage fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system recall for the 2002 Kia Sportage, though it has 1 recall for other components. 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 2002 Kia Sportage fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 8% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 1 fire and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion 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.