2002 Kia Sportage Seat belts Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 234 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 92,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the seat belts of the 2002 Kia Sportage, 4% of the 234 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 92,000 miles. 2 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.
“The contact owns a 2002 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that after leaning forward, the front passenger seat belt failed to retract. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 130,000 and the current mileage was 134,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10616008, filed 2014-07, 130,000 miles“On sept. 18, 2002, we purchased a 2002 Kia Sportage. Upon completion of paper work, I questioned dealer about a seat belt extender as original installed seat belt would not fit comfortably around my large frame. Unlike ford & chevrolet, we were told that Kia did not make seat belt extenders! The next day I immediately phoned Kia manufacturers main office, and again was told they did not make seat belt extenders, they couldn't help me. I called the dealer and told him we had just made a purchase on a brand new vehicle that now I could not drive safely. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007493, filed 2002-10“Driver side and front passenger shoulder belts are frayed which makes them unable to stay secure. It won't stop upper body movement when brakes are applied quickly. Driver side rear passenger window won't go down and motor in door still makes the noise like its wants to work but does not. Unable to pump more than a couple dollars of gas before it spits gas back out. While driving I smell electrical burning and wires under hood are burnt by the fan. Making the car hot due to fan not working properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10959476, filed 2017-03“2002 Kia Sportage airbags failed to deploy in an accident. Consumer states that the airbags did not deploy and her seat belt did no lock causing injury to her chest. Manufacturer stated airbags did not deploy because force was not sufficient.”
NHTSA complaint #10210564, filed 2007-11“When attempting to unlock the seat belt on the front passenger side and rear right passenger side the seat belts would not unlock. Consumer took the vehicle back to the dealership for inspection, and the mechanic was able to release the seat belts.”
NHTSA complaint #10079970, filed 2004-06Seat 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 2002 Kia Sportage
69 complaintsFuel system
67 complaintsBrakes
25 complaintsBody and structure
23 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsElectrical system
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
15 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 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