Model year record

1998 Kia Sportage

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

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.