Model year record

1997 Kia Sportage

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 299 owner complaints on file.

Kia Sportage, 1995–2002 generation
Pictured: the 1995–2002 generation. IFCAR, Public domain · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V216000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
189,706
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-16
Owners notified
2002-12-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V325000

Electrical system: wiring

Component
Electrical system: wiring
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
76,986
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-19
Owners notified
2000-01-25

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE C123 AND C124 CONNECTORS CAN BE PUT UNDER TENSION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THUS PULLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, LOOSENING THEM AND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CLIPS TO LOCK THE CONNECTORS TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SOLDER A SPLICE IN THE WIRE HARNESS.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V234000

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
23,493
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-17
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.

Safety risk

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline39—
Air bags: frontal2158,000 mi
Vehicle speed control20—
Unknown or other16—
Air bags14116,824 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly9110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9—
Power train: automatic transmission8—
Structure: body: door8—
Visibility: power window devices and controls6—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood560,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling585,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system5119,000 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft5—
Power train: manual transmission5—
Electrical system4—
Electrical system: ignition4—
Electrical system: wiring4—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system4104,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline4111,186 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch452,550 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder452,575 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Power train: driveline: differential unit325,317 mi
Suspension: front3—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor3—
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system: horn2—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Interior lighting2—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch251,500 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2104,000 mi
Seat belts260,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage2—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly2—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar2—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2—
Suspension2—
Tires2—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control260,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: linkages2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module1—
Air bags: knee bolster153,653 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1—
Equipment: electrical1119,000 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank: selector devices1—
Fuel system, other1—
Fuel/propulsion system1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift1—
Seats1—
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1—
Steering1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: hood1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: rear1—
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle138,037 mi
Tires: sidewall1—
Tires: tread/belt1—
Tires: valve1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels: hub1—
Wheels: hubcap/cover1—

The 1996 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Kia Sportage model years

All Kia Sportage recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.