10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
7 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
7 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1997 Kia Sportage engine problems

engine problem

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1997 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #20

Mar 262014

Sportage 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving down highway when approximately at 55mph engine will stall. Slow down and stop without warning. Most of the time I can turn engine off restart run it thru all of the gears and it will be fine for awhile unless on bumpy road or stop warning bumps in the road. I can not fill gas tank up due to it leaking out under vehicle refrase that pour out. It will also vibrate really bad after being drove for over 2 hours straight. Please help me to resolve these problems before it causes a injury or death.

- Kiel, WI, USA

problem #19

Apr 272004

Sportage

  • miles
While the vehicle was running consumer applied the brakes, and vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. Consumer's foot was on the brake, and vehicle continued to speed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.

- Philippi, WV, USA

problem #18

Jul 152003

Sportage

  • miles
Consumer is having trouble with vehicle stalling when accelerating, and loss of power while driving.had taken vehicle to the dealer, but they would not repair it under the recall because they problem was still being investigated.

- Vista, CA, USA

problem #17

May 072003

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The vehicle suddenly accelerated when the brake was applied. The consumer lost control of vehicle which caused it to flip and land upside down. Dealer stated the the vehicle was totaled.

- Rochester, WA, USA

problem #16

Oct 282001

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving 10-20 mph applied on brakes and without warning brakes did not function. Consumer then tried to shift vehicle manually; however, transmission malfunctioned, resulting in a head-on collision. Driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer adds that the accelerator was stuck. The air bags failed to deploy.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #15

Oct 282001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10-15 mph applied brakes and without warning, brakes did not function, driver had to run a red light, resulting in a head on collision, driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer states that the airbag failed. Consumer also states that the accelerator and transmission stuck.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #14

Oct 282001

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 10-15 mph and without warning, was involved in a head-on collision in which the air bags did not deploy, driver sustained major injuries. The transmission jammed and the accelerator stuck.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #13

Oct 282001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10-15 mph, front of the vehicle was hit and none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer. Consumer adds the brakes failed. The transmission failed. Experiencing problems with the accelerator.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #12

Sep 052000

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
When putting vehicle into reverse and letting up on the clutch vehicle accelereated into reverse and ran over a mailbox. Driver had pushed clutch and brake in order to stop. Engine still ran high.

- Kingston, TN, USA

problem #11

Mar 061998

Sportage

  • miles
Vacuum reservoir failed causing the cruise control to not hold speed. Nlm

- Huffman, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 021997

Sportage

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle would jerk. Engine check light kept coming on. Vehcle would overheat & fail to start. Also, vehicle had revved while at stop light due to fast idle. The ported passage hole was too small. It needed to be wider according to mechanic. Driveshaft broke twice in last 6 months.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #9

Jul 211999

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
The day before the accident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and would not slow down. I was able to get it into neutral, and then into park. It did not do this on 1.5 hour trip home. I called the service manager at paramount Kia the next day. He advised me that he had not heard of any such problems. While attempting to drive to that dealership, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and would not slow down. The brakes would not respond, and this time the transmission would no disengage into neutral. I was not able to control the vehicle, and crashed. I have just been made aware of a similar incident involving a Kia sephia, which was reported in a local paper. The elderly driver crashed when his vehicle accelerated out of control. A post from fence he hit impaled him in the chest.

- Taylorsville, NC, USA

problem #8

May 111999

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Check engine light came on. Needs new egr kit (controls emissions mix). 6/99 experienced engine racing on ignition, high idle at stops, engine surges at all speeds. Then check engine light came on. Happened first 6/98. They tightened terminal connections. Second time 7/98 - adjusted C123 & C124 access connections. Third time 5/99 replacing egr kit - awaiting part. Service performed by maita olds, 2211 fulton ave., sacramento, ca 95825.

- Rancho Cordova, CA, USA

problem #7

Aug 241998

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light comes on. Vehicle surges and bucks. A hold light is flashing which means there is a problem with the transmission.

- Fontana, CA, USA

problem #6

Jan 241999

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light is on, the car is stalling, the air bag lights are on. I am afraid that they will deploy at any given time. Almost killed myself and my daughter on the queenboro bridge, I was going 40 and all of a sudden the car accelerated on it's own, I applied the brakes, but they had turned hard, I had no brakes, put emergency brakes, but nothing, when it was nearing an accident because I had to stop I threw the car in neutral which slowed it down enough for me to safely put it in park in the middle of a bridge. The cars engine roared when I put in park I couldn't move or fear of killing myself. The locks on the car keep opening and closing by themself. It needs 2 quarts of engine oil every month. I am totally dissatisfied with this car.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #5

Jul 311998

(reported on)

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Problem arises when shifting gears or coasting to a stop with clutch depressed. The engine RPM's will rise to very high levels and not return to idle conditions. Problem occurs intermittently and without warning.

- Melbourne, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 021998

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer complained of vehicle idling too high. Whenever consumer takes the foot off brake pedal the vehicle would take off between 15-25 mph without pressing the accelerator pedal. Dealer notified and nothing has been done to correctthe problem.

- Marrero, LA, USA

problem #3

May 231998

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
Sudden acceleration when coming to a stop and taking foot off the accelerator, and shifting into neutral.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #2

May 011998

Sportage

  • miles
Sudden acceleration.

- Wylie, TX, USA

problem #1

Nov 151997

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Coming to a stop sign, applied brakes and the clutch, vehicle accelerated by itself, lost control, ended up hitting 3 trees and then a house head-on. Driver's air bag did not deploy, sustained chest injuries.

- Miami Shores, FL, USA

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