Model year record

1997 Kia Sportage

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

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.

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.