One problem related to storage tank assembly has 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.
I have a 2002 kia Sportage 4x4. Purchased in April 2004 with 3 years & 50k miles remaining on warranty. I trailered my boat to the lake and after leaving the lake the car died. Towed to an authorized kia dealer,dick hannah kia, vancouver,wa. 98665 $161 tow bill! diagnosis was water in the gas tank!! turns out there is a evaporator charcoal canister mounted under the vehicle near the rear bumper which allowed water into the gas system. I am now faced with over $600 repair for draining the tank. My contention is that this is a bad design. Nowhere in the operators manual does it state to avoid trailering a boat because it may suck up the lake water! this SUV came with a trailer hitch when purchased and kia needs to step up and cover this design defect under warranty.