Model year record

1998 Kia Sportage

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 558 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 98V222000

Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
39,656
Reported to NHTSA
1998-09-15
Owners notified
1998-10-19

Defect description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.

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: gasoline47—
Unknown or other24101,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components21—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift18—
Engine and engine cooling: engine1651,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission15—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1573,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc15—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner14—
Vehicle speed control145,500 mi
Structure: body: door13—
Visibility: power window devices and controls135,900 mi
Electrical system1289,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery115,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor11—
Power train: axle hubs973,475 mi
Suspension9175,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood8—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control8—
Air bags: frontal7—
Electrical system: ignition7—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system7—
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)785,000 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing783,358 mi
Tires780,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring656,000 mi
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack6—
Structure: body670,000 mi
Steering560,000 mi
Suspension: front5—
Visibility: windshield5—
Engine and engine cooling4—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.4—
Fuel system, gasoline4—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system464,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch45,900 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder4—
Structure: body: trunk lid4—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer4—
Electrical system: ignition: switch3—
Electrical system: starter assembly3—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor3—
Exterior lighting: headlights3—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors3—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3110,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock3—
Power train: axle assembly3—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft3—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal3—
Power train: manual transmission3—
Seat belts: front: anchorage3—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper351,000 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar3—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices3—
Wheels3—
Wheels: hubcap/cover3—
Air bags2—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module270,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2—
Engine260,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly2—
Exterior lighting: tail lights2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery284,459 mi
Fuel system, other2—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2109,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system260,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages25,900 mi
Power train: clutch assembly2—
Seat belts: front219,176 mi
Seats2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate2—
Structure: body: tailgate2—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields2—
Suspension: rear: springs279,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control2—
Child seat1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator15,900 mi
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)165,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank1—
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly1—
Interior lighting1—
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock1—
Latches/locks/linkages: tailgate: latch1—
Parking brake: conventional1—
Power train1101,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint151,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission: floor shift assembly188,675 mi
Seat belts1157,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic192,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump1—
Steering: linkages: knuckle: spindle: arm1—
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly159,000 mi
Structure1—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments1—
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: support device/strut1—
Structure: frame and members1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint151,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint173,475 mi
Suspension: front: hub1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs151,000 mi
Suspension: rear1—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire1—
Vehicle speed control: cables1—
Vehicle speed control: linkages1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: hub1—

The 1997 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1999 model has roughly the same number of 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.