Six problems related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe have been reported for the 2002 Kia Motor Sportage. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Kia Motor Sportage based on all problems reported for the 2002 Sportage.
The contact owns a 2002 kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle was "missing" while idle and "back firing". The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where multiple issues were diagnosed (power train, base engine problem, exhaust manifold). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was 187,000 and the current mileage was 187,000.
I started taking my 2002 kia Sportage to the dealer and it had a clunking sound in the back. I took it in and the technician said he thought it was the muffler and it was loose so he kicked it with his foot and sent me on my way. I got a new muffler and it still made the noise so I took it to a local shop and it was the differential failure. It ended up costing me over 2500. I had to have a new differential put in and it every once in awhile makes a clunking noise when you put the transmission in gear. If the tech would have made the right decision it would have been covered by warranty. I have owned several cars in my life and never had this happen to any of them. I feel like the kia people should reimburse me for my time and money!!!.
Vehicle caught on fire within the engine compartment on three separate occasions while driving 45 mph or more. Consumer extinguished the fires. After the last incident vehicle was taken to the dealer, who informed consumer that the cause was due to oil dripping onto the manifold. Manufacturer was also notified.
Heat shield broke away, muffler affected and needs replacement due to heat shield. My mom contacted the kia dealership in reno, nv regarding the issue. The person she spoke with stated my car was under warranty, but since (while I was traveling and in CA and the rattle got so bad I had a licensed mechanic wire it together) he says it is now not covered under warranty. My mom asked the guy at the dealership who she should contact, such as, Kia Motor America, as a possible assembly line issue. He stated to her (and she has a complaint for filed out as well through NHTSA today) "the dealership. " my concern is a safety issue and concerns over a "dealership" turning in safety issues to the proper authority, let alone my car should have been fixed regardless of who touched it as I was traveling out of state. The muffler had to be wired or it would have fallen off due to the heat shield breaking away and damaging the muffler system. I have a young child and her safety comes first!.
The contact owns a 2002 kia Sportage. While driving 55 mph, the engine roared. The dealer stated that the manifold cracked and repairs were made. The current mileage was 83,846 and failure mileage was 18,000.
I bought a kia Sportage in April 2002. Since then, the car has been brought back to the kia service center on four separate occasions for the same problem. The engine will sputter, the car shakes, the rpms go to 0 and the header pipe glows red hot (literally), and all of a sudden the car will lose 75% of its power. This is dangerous. This car has maybe 10,000 miles on it and it was bought brand new. This is ridiculous and not acceptable. The service center has replaced the rotors (keep in mind this is on 10,000 miles), the catalytic converter, head pipe, muffler and the rest of the entire exhaust system, and spark plugs. Up to this date, they have not found the problem and even as I type this, the car is sitting in the service center the fourth time. I was given a rental vehicle the third time. But this time, they have not given me a rental or replacement vehicle because two are out of commission due to accidents and one is currently being used. They say that they have to hook the car up to a computer and drive it numerous mile to record data. I just want a car that works.