2.8

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
52,028 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2001 Kia Sportage fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2001 Kia Sportage Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #24

Dec 252014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Just purchased this car for my teen...when filling gas tank it begins to spew out onto him. Are the person filling the tank.also a bad smell of fumes inside of car, ,,,please help the problem....

- Theodore, AL, USA

problem #23

Jul 092014

Sportage

  • 30,000 miles
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.

- Pompano Beach, FL, USA

problem #22

Feb 042006

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 11,450 miles
I purchased a Kia Sportage ex 2001 on 12/27/12 from front ryal auto group in front royal va. I went to the gas station after filling my gas tank I noticed a strong smell of gas. After a few days I called the dealership and told them, they did not know if it was covered under the warranty to bring it in mon-fri 8-5 well I can not make those hours to go, so the odor continues to find out from a mechanic of my own choice which after I called the dealership back again before my warranty ran out that we dicovered I have a fuel tank gas seal leakage..

- Mount.Jackson, VA, USA

problem #21

Oct 132010

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 112,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Our 2001 Kia Sportage had a gas smell. Now we noticed gas leaking out of the tank. It seems to stop at 1/4 full. We bought in brand new in 2002.

- Waterford, WI, USA

problem #20

Jun 012010

Sportage

  • miles
Fuel tank leaking, strong fumes inside cabin.

- Berwyn, IL, USA

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problem #19

Jul 112011

Sportage

  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated the fuel tank was corroded causing a leak in the fuel tank. The contact found a large puddle of gasoline fuel under the vehicle and the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the fuel sending unit would need replacing at the contact's expense. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no other assistance. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Lansing, MI, USA

problem #18

May 302000

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated the vehicle was parked when she smelled a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the exterior of the fuel tank was wet on the exterior because there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred within a few months. The failure mileage was unknown. Updated 08/01/11 updated 08/03/11

- Franklin, KY, USA

problem #17

Jan 012011

Sportage

  • 30,000 miles
Faulty gas tank. The gas tank leaks gas.

- Southgate, MI, USA

problem #16

Jul 112010

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • 61,000 miles
Fuel odor, found gas leaks from corroded gas tank, called Kia headquarters, told to take it to a dealer, car was out of warranties but Kia paid to replace the gas tank, I was told it was common with this Kia Sportage 2001, the tank shield under the tank collected the salt from the road while driving in the winter and sit there between the shield and the tank causing excessive corrosion, I was pleased with Kia action to pay fully for the tank.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #15

Nov 222010

Sportage

  • 92,000 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that there was a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. She also noticed fuel leaking on the ground underneath the fuel tank. The failure was a continuous occurrence. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who stated that the fuel tank, fuel sensor and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. There was a manufacturer recall related to the similar defect; however the VIN was not included. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000.

- Edgartown , MA, USA

problem #14

Oct 112010

Sportage

  • 66,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been notified. The current and failure mileages were approximately 66,000.

- Dolton, IL, USA

problem #13

Feb 032010

Sportage

  • 87,961 miles
Gas tank is leaking when tank is filled full.

- Andover, MA, USA

problem #12

Jul 182009

Sportage

  • 79,465 miles
On two occasions, my 2001 Kia Sportage has suffered a ruptured gasoline tank from rocks being trap between the gasoline tank and the gasoline tank guard plate, making my vehicle a rolling bomb until I discovered the gasoline leak. The gasoline guard plate was designed with 8, circular holes in the guard approximately 1 inch in diameter which allows smalls rocks from the road to enter the space between the guard plate and the gasoline tank and grinding a hole in the gasoline tank, allowing the fuel to leak which creates an almost certain recipe for a disaster if the gasoline was to contact a hot tailpipe, or if the vehicle was in a accident. In both cases I had to replace a very expensive gasoline tank. I will be injecting foam into the space between gasoline tank and the guard plate later this week to hopefully, keep this explosive problem from occurring again. This a dangerous design flaw in my opinion and needs to be addressed. When I contacted Kia of America yesterday and explained this situation, the customer service representative was in my opinion, less than receptive about Kia looking into this situation. When someone gets cremated because of this design flaw, it will be too late. Please look into this situation. Thank you.

- Tombstone, AZ, USA

problem #11

Nov 102001

Sportage

  • 425 miles
Gasoline smell comes in through the vents into the windows. The smell is so strong that I cannot drive my vehicle during cool or cold weather. First mentioned it to dealership. They said it was normal for a new vehicle and that the smell would go away. 8 years later the smell has gotten worse and hasn't gone away.

- Albuquerque, NM, USA

problem #10

Jun 202009

Sportage

  • 125,000 miles
Kia 2001 Sportage / gas tank leak /plate guarding tank rusted away/fuel pump had to be replaced. Recall date 2007 for Kia Sportages already inacted / garage said didn't apply to Kia in Ohio"???? cost 1200 to repair. Why not Ohio????? garage telling truth??"

- Springfield, OH, USA

problem #9

Jan 012009

Sportage

  • 63,398 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the contact noticed a fuel related issue. The vehicle would stall while attempting to depress the brake pedal to slow down. The vehicle would also stall while traveling uphill or a slope. The fuel pump, crankshaft sensor, two fuel filters, and additional unknown repairs were made on several occasions; however, the failure still persists. There were no recalls listed for the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were less than 63,398.

- Tuolomme, CA, USA

problem #8

Jun 092009

Sportage

  • 91,000 miles
Just bpurchased a 2001 Kia Sportage, the gas tank is all rusted and leaking.

- North Waterboro, ME, USA

problem #7

Nov 082008

Sportage

  • 97,000 miles
Fuel leak under hood. Fumes come into vehicle through air vents when outside air is cold.

- Wayne, MI, USA

problem #6

Jun 302007

Sportage

  • 49,870 miles
I had a leak in my 2001 Kia Sportage fuel tank last year. I discovered that while I was visiting Canada and fixed it there. This week, I take the vehicle to the mechanic for inspection. He finds that there is another leakage around the fuel pump. The mechanic recommends that I replace both the fuel pump and the fuel tank. I file the complaint because the leakage problem is a safety hazard and the mechanic indicates that it is a common problem with the Kia Sportage. The vehicle currently has fewer than 59,000 miles and had fewer than 50,000 miles when the first incident occurred. So, I presume that the problem is likely related to a manufacturing defect.

- State College, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 112007

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 72,104 miles
The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sportage. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a continuous leak coming from the fuel tank. He also smelled gas while driving at any speed. The dealer had not been notified. The current and failure mileages were 72,104.

- Charlotsville, VA, USA

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