Model year record

2002 Kia Sportage

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 321 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V161000

Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan

Component
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
35,090
Reported to NHTSA
2007-04-16
Owners notified
2007-06-11

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Fuel system, gasoline3560,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan2235,941 mi
Fuel/propulsion system2087,540 mi
Electrical system1258,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1265,838 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1266,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1180,000 mi
Air bags941,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor95,699 mi
Air bags: frontal817,000 mi
Power train856,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission848,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls815,377 mi
Structure: frame and members774,000 mi
Suspension738,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic68,000 mi
Structure: body6120,000 mi
Seat belts554,000 mi
Steering527,000 mi
Unknown or other516,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system41,716 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe432,632 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings430,000 mi
Service brakes4120,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper411,744 mi
Structure434,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring334,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline3
Equipment385,000 mi
Exterior lighting3123,000 mi
Fuel system, other387,589 mi
Structure: body: door38,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields3117,000 mi
Suspension: rear33,000 mi
Vehicle speed control320 mi
Engine2113,150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor28,540 mi
Power train: driveline269,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit2102,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission23,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other2
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist255,000 mi
Visibility: windshield2
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer25,699 mi
Wheels22,380 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator113,000 mi
Electrical system: horn1
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly163,400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner185,000 mi
Equipment: electrical1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly174,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings130,000 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly124,500 mi
Interior lighting1
Latches/locks/linkages1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)155,000 mi
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly1
Seats: mid/rear assembly1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1900 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar12,380 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)198,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly1
Structure: body: hood1
Suspension: front: hub189,089 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing155,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt120,000 mi
Traction control system156,000 mi
Visibility134,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Wheels: hub1

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 80 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.