10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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1997 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #16

Aug 012001

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumer received a recall notice 99V325000, and had service department taken care off on Jun 13, 2000. Since then, problem has come back on and off for the past 6 months. Engine check light came on. And as soon as vehicle started to slow down it stalled. Dealer stated vehicle needed new wiring harness. Problem has been a ongoing since vehicle was purchased in Sept. Of 1997. Servicle manager told consumer they corrected wiring harness problem. But, consumer felt work could have been incorrectly done.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #15

Jul 302000

(reported on)

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Too many problems with this truck to even begin to list. Its been to the garage 7 or 8 times for the check engine light, the master cylinder went last year, now the clutch, whats next? I so tired of taking time out of my life to deal with this piece of crap. I want a refund or some kind of satisfaction. No safety defect listed in summary.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #14

May 012000

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Engine check light came on, engine didn't have any power. Dealer finally (after two weeks in the shop) decided fuel tank was rusted, causing rust particles to damage fuel injectors. Dealer is replacing fuel tank, lines, sender unit, and injectors. (I've never had a fuel tank rust at 39,000 miles!)

- Plymouth, ME, USA

problem #13

Nov 291999

Sportage

  • miles

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

The vehicle fuel gauge fails intermittently. Nlm

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #12

May 242000

(reported on)

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Engine check light comes on, and the vehicle makes a vibrating/humming noise. Also, vehicle does not shift into gear properly. Dealer has seen vehicle, and can't find the cause of the problem.

- Brentwood, NY, USA

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problem #11

Apr 111997

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Car continually stalls, check engine light continually comes off and on, when continually stalls at idle speed and highway speeds, engine experiences trouble continuously when it surges and jerks. It has been a real hazard to my health and almost put me in accidents many times while stalling in the middle of the street and intersections. Almost killed myself and my family several different times with this piece of garbage vehicle.it has had so many things wrong with it since the day I bought it that it is almost impossible to list all of them. Dealer claims there is no problem! even when it gets towed in due to the fact that it won't run! something needs to be done immediately before people are innocently killed due to the malfunctioning Kia Sportage vehicles.

- Coral Springs, FL, USA

problem #10

Mar 141999

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

Engine check light kept coming on. Idle stays high at stop lights or stop signs. Has been happening at least 3 times a week. Took to dealer & was informed problem caused by going over bumps, but would repair problem. Picked vehicle up & light came back on again.

- Tomalas, CA, USA

problem #9

Jul 211999

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
The check engine light illuminates, indicating a malfunction within the system. Also vehicle completely shuts down. Dealer cannot identify the problem.

- Coral Spring, IL, 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

Jun 301998

Sportage

  • miles

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

During frontal impact at 35 mph, the driver's side air bag did not deploy.

- Mulberry, FL, USA

problem #5

Jul 011998

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
When the check engine light comes on the vehicle starts bucking. Has been to dealer 3 times in a month. Dealer claims the vehicle is fixed now.

- Barnegat, NJ, USA

problem #4

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 #3

Feb 011998

Sportage

  • miles
The vehicle has not been up to its standards and very disappointed.

- Devine, TX, USA

problem #2

Jul 281998

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Auto leaking fluid near engine. In addition, intermittent stalling/electrical door and window switch failed, and engine check light comes on/off.

- Brooklyn, NY, USA

problem #1

May 151998

Sportage

  • miles
Check engine light will stay on at all times. Dealer has been contacted and service has been done. Problem has not been resolved.

- Crestview, FL, USA

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