10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
33,051 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 electrical problems

electrical problem

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2001 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #13

Mar 172018

Sportage

  • 78,000 miles

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

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.

- Margate, NJ, USA

problem #12

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 #11

Dec 202011

Sportage

  • miles
There is an electrical problem where the wires are mounted close to the transmission and the dash board components are not reading/moving neither is the automatic gear shift and overdrive. I've learned through blog posts that this is a common issue with this year make and model car.

- Greensboro, NC, USA

problem #10

Jul 032010

Sportage

  • 97,500 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 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.

- Appleton , WI, USA

problem #9

Jul 052010

Sportage

  • miles
Used car dealer sold a car with electrical problems on 7/3/10. July 5, 2010, they fixed the back 2 windows causing car alarm to go off when you get in and when you get out, they disabled the car alarm now causing the air bag light to be on all the time, the door don't sound when you open it, the locks don't work the way they should, doom light don't work seat belt don't sound to remind you to put them on. Should you drive a vehicle when air bag light is on?

- Appleton, WI, USA

problem #8

Sep 132006

Sportage 4-cyl

  • 75,479 miles
The 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

- Tell City, IN, USA

problem #7

Jul 112004

Sportage 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 20,000 miles

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

I bought mt 2001 Kia Sportage in 2003. It was a 2 door automatic soft top. The problems with the car started within months. First the "hold" light would come on and then while driving the care would stick in one gear. I could not slow down with out it stalling once the gears got stuck. I took it to the dealer, and the replaced the transmission. This did not fix the problem B/C it still happens even to this day and every place I take it to says that there is no problem. In 2005 everything started going downhill. The power windows dont work the cd player eats you cds and I get no reseption on the radio. Not to mention the seat belt light comes on all the time and continues to flash and beep even with your seat belt is on. The pasenger seatbelt does not stay clasped. The car will shut off while driving if I turn on the air. The air only blows on your feet. My car shakes violently it I go about 50 mph. The car makes a wierd chattering noise while driving. And the brakes have locked up for no reason. All of these things I have stated are true and I have taken my car to the dealership numerous of times and seem to get it "fixed" but something else happens before the month ends. I have had my car in the shop for more than 3 months total, and it still doesnt run properly. So far I have had the tramission replaced, the electrical harness, the master and rear cylinder(2X), wheel barring, alternater, started, batteries(4X),air vents, ad many other thing but I cant keep track of everything that goes wrong with this car. Im a college student that has a very limited income, and I cant wasted any more time and money dealing with this car that should last longer than I is. My first car was better tha this one and it was made in the 80's.

- Sanford, FL, USA

problem #6

Aug 012005

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40 miles
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.

- Prince Frederick, MD, USA

problem #5

Jan 052005

Sportage 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 103,650 miles
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. I am unable to drive my car to work, which puts strain on my family and my self. Being pregnant, I need my own vehicle.

- Orange, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 302003

(reported on)

Sportage

  • 25,000 miles
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.

- Whitehall, PA, USA

problem #3

Nov 152002

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Vehicle will heavily jerk and then the engine light will come on and stay on the remainder of the time vehicle is being operated.dealer notified.

- Jewett City, CT, USA

problem #2

Dec 232002

Sportage 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driving on highway at night in the rain, the car hit bump and the lights went dim, windshield wipers stoped working, radio went off, interior lights dim, air bag light flashing on and off, then car refused to go, almost caused wreck. This was the 2nd occurance, contacted dealer. They kept truck for a week and still could not find the problem. Just happened again tonight(1-8-03) no bump was hit.

- Broussard, LA, USA

problem #1

Dec 012001

Sportage

  • miles
While driving loss all power/dash light, and everything went dead on highway. Cause unknown.

- Brentwood, NY, USA

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