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BrakesPart report

2001 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems

Complaints
27about this part
Share
12%of 228 total for the year
Median mileage
20,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the brakes of the 2001 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10185532, filed 2007-03, 20,000 miles

“Vehicle's engine and A/C failed. The consumer had to replace two engines within a 40000 mile usage. The vehicle stopped dead on a very busy us route 1 hwy. The sudden stop caused a traffic tie up and the vehicle was nearly rear ended by a air conditioning, the vehicle needed a complete engine replacement, valve cover gasket, front wheel bearings, drive belts out of tension, cruise control, v belts replaced, brakes and rotors, exhaust system.”

NHTSA complaint #10101096, filed 2004-11, 768 miles

“Brake rotors and pads replaced every 12,000 miles. The last time vehicle was repaired, the rotors, pads and calipers were replaced. Consumer stated brakes were replaced three times. Dealer claimed it was nothing wrong with the vehicle. Please provide further information.”

NHTSA complaint #10050089, filed 2003-12, 19,000 miles

“2001 Kia Sportage 4x4 with 76k miles. Within the last 3 weeks I have had to have the front brakes totally replaced, alternator and 2 belts replaced, muffler tailpipe rusted thru, and both front bearing hubs need to be replaced (wobbly).”

NHTSA complaint #10061824, filed 2004-03, 76,000 miles

“My 2001 Kia Sportage has a defect in its design. The solenoid, & hoses that connect to it are placed in an area on the vehicle where they are subjected to the elements-&-in harms way of being damaged from normal driving conditions. I do not have the service paper work on me, at the moment (I am at the public library-doing research on Kia's many safety issues)-if you need copies of my service records, or any further info-please contact me by mail. When solenoid/hoses failed - I was unaware that my 4 wheel drive was inoperable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10105929, filed 2005-01

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2026621%
2025611%
202479%
20233418%
202224%
2020138%
2019710%
2018117%
2017266%
20163828%
20153121%
20142419%
2013257%
2012113%
20112514%
2010630%
20091519%
20082323%
20071216%
2006109%
200569%
20022511%
20012712%
20005418%
19994415%
19987123%
19971911%
19961526%
1995611%

Other parts of the 2001 Kia Sportage

Fuel system
62 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsBody and structure
24 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsOther or unknown
8 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Kia Sportage

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology