10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1997 Kia Sportage Owner Comments

problem #8

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 #7

Mar 062002

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I took my car in to be serviced on 05/15/01 to westcott Kia, I was hearing a loud grinding noise and my vehicle was resisting to go foward, also lack of power to my vehicle overall, I felt like it was a transmission concern at that time my vehicle had 50888 miles on it, they told me it was my egr valve, it was malfunctioning, they replaced it. On 03/06/02 I took my car to rancho Kia to be serviced, they told me that I needed my egr valve kit replaced at which time I didnt realize I had had it done less than a year earlier, they charged me $133.40, I contacted Kia consummer affairs when I realized the repair had already been done less than a year ago, they stated my car had been driven more than 12000 miles (12656 to be exact) and there was nothing they could do for me, I have had so many problems with this car.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 232001

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
On 4/23/01 I took my car to westcott Kia motors, I had a concern reguarding my transmission, they inspected and said theyfound switch stop lamp wasnt working at which time they replaced it, it was under warranty, they also replaced an egr valve that was under warranty, still to no avail of having my transmission concernes resolved with this dealer (after all these repairs, my car still had the same problem I brought it in for) I filed a complaint with Kia Consumer Affairs. I waited a couple of months and decided to try my luck at another dealer in the area so I went to el cajon Kia on 11/19/01 an allowed them to work on my car at which time they ordered a transfer case to be installed on 12/05/01, they replaced the transfer case and it broke while I was on the freeway 12/07/01 at which time I had the vehicle towed to their shop, they repaired the transfer case again and still the clunking noise I had brought it in for was still there in my car, I drove my car for a few more days untill it started to hesitate on me and the engine light came on, I had my car towed back to el cajon Kia and the technician took a test drive with me and stated while we were driving my car that Kia only pays them for 2 hours of service to vehicles, and that it was normal play that I was hearing in my vehicle, after all the days in the shop and all the repairs done, my car was no better than when I took it in for it to be repaired, I feel like they did more damage than good to my vehicle, and I also feel that there is a major problem with my transmission that the dealer failed to repair, I just took my car to rancho Kia (where I bought it from and had repair problems with reguarding my tire latch) and they had to repair wiring to maf sensor and replaced my egr valve and also my purge solenoid was broken and they said the clunking noise is my front hub bearings are loose.

- Spring Valley, CA, USA

problem #5

Dec 122000

(reported on)

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

This vehicle has been a problem from the day that I purchased it, engine failed and it was in shop for two months, transmission failed, the rear end failed, the fuel economy switch failed, then the transmission failed again, and the transmission has failed three times since July, 2000. I have had two near accidents on the interstate due to these mechanical failures. I have tried for over two years to contact a Kia represenative but they will not respond to my complaints. The dealer is no help, they only give you the delay game. I have a vehicle that is no good, it is unsafe to drive and a danger to put on the road. It continually has problems and I am having to make payments on it.please help

- Laurel, MS, USA

problem #4

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

problem #3

Apr 011998

Sportage 4WD

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
This vehicle is garbage - both front window motors-replaced. Transmission replaced, and is now acting up again. Rear-end replaced, acting up, engine squeals, dealer can't hear it, burning anti-freeze smell upon warmup, temp gauge goes crazy, in 4WD vehicle does not want to turn, only wants to go straight, makings hard "clunking" noise if you attempt to turn. The Yugo was a better vehicle!

- Knoxville, TN, USA

problem #2

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 #1

May 011998

Sportage

  • miles
Transmission failure.

- Wylie, TX, USA

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