Model year guide

2002 Kia Sportage

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Kia Sportage is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 24 on record.

2002 Kia Sportage — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Kia Sportage at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints237
Combined19 mpg
Typical price$1,068

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2002 Kia Sportage recalls 3

Engine And Engine Cooling:cooling System:fan NHTSA Campaign #07V161000 · 16/04/2007

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 BLADES. THE CENTRIFUGAL FORCES GENERATED BY THE ROTATION OF THE BLADES CAN CAUSE THE CRACKS TO PROPAGATE UNTIL COMPLETE SEPARATION OCCURS.

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2002 Kia Sportage common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 237 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.

2002 Kia Sportage MPG & running costs

Combined19 mpg
City17 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,325

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2002 Kia Sportage worth?

Low
$500
Typical price
$1,068
High
$2,100

From 18 comparable 2002 Kia Sportage listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Kia Sportage costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,625
Fuel only$16,625
Per mile$0.22

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2002 Kia Sportage trims & engines on record

Trims
Base
Engines
2.0L

2002 Kia Sportage vehicles on record

2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723X25127794 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723525101474 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723425136011 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723325150790 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB623625101350 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723625101452 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723725128238 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723925104605 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723625105438 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723025113421 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723225167254 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA623625128406 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723825136495 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723425154991 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723425143198 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723225156609 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723425145658 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723025134950 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB623925173885 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723425167644 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723925167383 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJA723925158005 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723025139534 2002 Kia Sportage 2002 Kia Sportage BaseKNDJB723525150397

Other Kia Sportage model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2001 2000 1999

2002 Kia Sportage — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Kia Sportage have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2002 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Kia Sportage?

Based on 237 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, structure, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Kia Sportage get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Kia Sportage at about 19 mpg combined (17 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2002 Kia Sportage worth?

Comparable 2002 Kia Sportage listings run roughly $500–$2,100, typically around $1,068 (from 18 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.