Everything NHTSA's vPIC database knows about this exact vehicle:
Decoding from NHTSA…
Vehicle history — accidents, title & owners
The decode above is what this vehicle is. For what it's been through — accidents, title brands, odometer, theft/total-loss and previous owners — pull a full history report.
NHTSA publishes the first 11 characters of the VIN with every complaint — that identifies the plant, model year, body and engine. So these are reports from cars built exactly like this one, not an average across the whole model.
KNDJA7231Y5••••••2001 Kia SPORTAGE
This build draws 4.4× more complaints than the average 2001 Kia SPORTAGE build (20 vs 5).
20on this build
168on the model
37builds in total
1involved a crash
Most reportedFuel System 7Gasoline 7Service Brakes 4Hydraulic 4
What owners of this build wrote
VisibilitycrashJul 2002
This accident occurred while backing out of my driveway at 5mph or less. My car bumped a tree and I did not even feel it hit the tree. When I put the car in drive and started down the street the window shattered, that was the first I even realized that I had bumped the tree
StructureSep 2013
The contact owns a 2000 kia sportage. The contact stated that the frame was rusted. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was confirmed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 101,066
Fuel SystemDec 2007
My complaint is about the kia leaking fuel. I received a letter from kia about the fuel tank rusting out in states where salt is used on the roads. The rust is more on the top of the fuel tank not the bottom. From people I've spoken with, that's where it leaks from and corrodes…
SuspensionJan 2007
Went to engage 4x4 in bad blizzard and got only grinding noise and no increase in traction. Dealer states hubs are corroded and vacuum seals and hoses need to be replaced. Seems to be a very common complaint. What good is a 4x4 if it is not working when you need it? Dealer does…
Air BagsDec 2005
The contact stated while driving 30 mph the frontal air bags deployed without prior warning. There were no obvious road hazards or crash. There were no previous problems with the airbags. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer. The dealer was unable to determine why the air bags…
Read all 20 complaints on this exact buildFull text, search by keyword, and the systems that fail most on cars built like yours.Unlock with Pro →
Owner complaints…
Now the whole model — all 37 builds of it, not just this build. Same NHTSA reports, wider net:
Loading owner complaints…
PRO
Upgrade to Pro
You know what it is. Find out what it's worth.
Exact value for this VIN, adjusted for mileage
The original window sticker and factory options
Full research report as a PDF you can hand to a mechanic
Decoded via NHTSA vPIC. Recalls, complaints and safety from NHTSA; MPG from EPA fueleconomy.gov. Full history reports from our partner. VIN KNDJA7231Y5647622 · decoded Oct 2026. — ForCar Reviewed by Denis Kataev, founder of ForCar.