2001 Kia Sportage Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 228 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 20,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 2001 Kia Sportage, 4% of the 228 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 20,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Bought this vehicle with only 11k miles from an elderly couple that hardly drove it. Now at 21k miles, there is a gas smell coming inside the vehicle and also outside of the vehicle. Has a rough idle and gas spews out of tank while I'm pumping gas. The front passenger tire sounds like it's about to fall off. Had to replace spark plugs twice already. Also, the driverside seatbelt will not retract. I bought this vehicle with only 11k miles thinking it will last for awhile, but I've had so many issues with it.”
NHTSA complaint #10940367, filed 2017-01, 20,000 miles“Traveling at 60 MPH, I hydroplaned and lost control of my 2001 Kia Sportage, impacting a barricade with the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not inflate and the seat belt did not keep me restrained allowing my head to impact the front windshield.”
NHTSA complaint #10023466, filed 2003-06, 44,000 miles“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“Over the span of the last 1 1/2 years I have had the following problems *rear seat belts locked up wouldn't loosen far enough to get my child out of the car. *front seat belts (both) would come open while the vehicle was in motion. *drivers side door wouldn't latch when trying to close it, had to jiggle the inside handle *spare tire arm wouldn't stay in the locked position when open. Still won't *four wheel drive wouldn't engage *lifter noise--collapsed lifter *head warped *check engine light had come on a few times holders (front and rear) fell apart *outside trim was fallling off.”
NHTSA complaint #10008205, filed 2003-02, 5,000 miles“While driving at 45 MPH consumer crested a hill to come face to face with a truck making a turn in the middle of the road. Consumer pressed the brakes with considerable force and the seat belt buckle released. The seat belt light was constantly on while driving. Vehicle had been in the repair shop at least five times. Manufacturer and dealer were aware of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10054039, filed 2004-01, 49,500 milesSeat belts: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2024 | 1 | 1% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 3 | 1% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 0% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 15% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 5 | 6% |
| 2006 | 4 | 4% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% |
| 2001 | 9 | 4% |
| 2000 | 7 | 2% |
| 1999 | 17 | 6% |
| 1998 | 8 | 3% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 8 | 14% |
| 1995 | 11 | 20% |
Other parts of the 2001 Kia Sportage
62 complaintsEngine cooling
45 complaintsBrakes
27 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 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 Oct 31, 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