2002 Kia Sportage

Summary:

Nice, reliable car, for a good price

Faults:

After 25,000 miles, the cooling fan broke.

Rattling motion occurred for a week after running something over in the road.

General Comments:

I love my KIA Sportage.

The main problem I have encountered was the cooling fan. All of the blades completely broke off. I took it in to the dealership though, and they are replacing it. It turned out that the cooling fan breaking is a technical problem in all the KIA Sportage.

The service center at the dealership was very helpful. They got the job quick and my car was returned by the time I needed it.

The interior of the car is really nice. The seats are comfortable. There is plenty of storage room in the back. It seats four to five people comfortably. The only disadvantage is the cup holders located above the stereo system and clutch area. I'm afraid of spilling my drink and sometimes the drinks won't fit.

Careful not to run over anything or bump anything in the road. The whole car would shake at a moderate rate after starting, but eventually ceased after a week. Since the fan broke, the rattling stopped, which is nice.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 27th July, 2004

2002 Kia Sportage 2 Dr 2.0

Summary:

A lot of fun for the price

Faults:

The cooling fan had stress cracks, but when I had the truck in for scheduled service, the mechanic noticed it and replace the fan blade before it could break and cause more damage.

The cup holder is in a poor location. Hot drinks will get cold with the A/C on and cold drinks will warm up with the heater on.

Otherwise, I have had no problems with this truck.

General Comments:

The little truck is fun to drive.

Everyone who has one must remember that it is a truck. It will not ride and handle like a sports car.

The seats are comfortable for both short and long trips.

Fit and finish is exceptional for the price of the vehicle.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th July, 2004

2002 Kia Sportage

Summary:

All around "good time" Barbie Jeep

Faults:

I have owned my sportage since July of 2002, everything was great at first, but within 10 months I had to have the catalytic converter replaced because it was "bad".

Everything once again, was good, until a month ago when the car started rattling again. Last week, I had the muffler replaced. All under warranty of course.

General Comments:

I do enjoy this car despite the fact that a couple of major things have gone wrong. I find that it handles well, is fun in the summer (I have the convert.) and is a great little car to have in winter. It handles well on ice and snow and has the capability to push a truck uphill in the snow and ice (as I found out last winter).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 22nd April, 2004

2002 Kia Sportage ltd

Summary:

I can't count on it, its undependable

Faults:

The engine Light is on Often, and sometimes for long periods.

Twice the Cooling fan has disintegrated and ruined the clutch, radiator and housing.

General Comments:

I don't feel that I can depend on this car. I've taken the car to the dealer because the engine light comes on, but they won't look at it if the light isn't on when I get there.

I recently had the brakes done, and was told that the rear cylinder has a leak. I called the dealer and they want to charge $42 to find out if it is leaking, when in fact, since it is still under warranty a charge for a hydraulic problem shouldn't be an issue.

At about 20 thousand miles, I was driving down the road, heard a clunk like I hit something. I was close to home and had no problems. When I tried to leave the next morning, the car had no power. The problem was that part of the cooling fan was lying in the driveway. The rest of the fan was apparently where it had fallen off when I hear the clunk. It took 4 days to get it fixed because they had to order the parts.

Today, I was driving along and hit something. The fan again. 42,000 miles, and I watched the car being loaded onto the tow truck... again. Is this a trend? Do I need a new fan, clutch, housing and radiator every 20,000 miles? I'm planning a vacation, how can I plan to drive 2,000 miles with the engine light flashing, brakes leaking, and the fan apt to fall of at any moment?

Whats Next!?

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th April, 2004

9th Jul 2004, 10:11

The engine light usually comes on if the engine is not shut off before the gas cap is removed. This causes the vapor recovery (emission stuff) to read a failure and the light will remain on till re-set. Will also come on if hose to vapor breather in box under rear bumper is pinched off with packed in mud. Both problems are a nuisance, but nothing more. Tough cheap 4x4 but does have it's quirks.

17th Sep 2005, 09:18

Mine kia sportage ex is the worst little car or little SUV that I'd ever had to drive.

18th Sep 2005, 14:57

I might accept the fan destroying its shroud and possibly damaging the radiator, but how does it destroy the clutch?

4th Jan 2006, 18:39

I've been reading these comments, and I assume the "clutch" referred too is the thermostatic clutch to which the fan itself is attached to.