Model year record

1999 Kia Sportage

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 493 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V305000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
251,594
Reported to NHTSA
2004-06-24
Owners notified
2004-08-16

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Safety risk

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS 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: gasoline42
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1936,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline16105,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission16189,000 mi
Electrical system1471,200 mi
Unknown or other14
Air bags: frontal1237,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1253,230 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift12
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip12
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer12
Air bags11157,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1156,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly1159,000 mi
Structure: frame and members1088,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc9
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor928,000 mi
Power train: axle hubs852,000 mi
Suspension884,000 mi
Suspension: front8
Visibility: power window devices and controls7
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor640,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner6
Power train6161,000 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)663,559 mi
Structure: body694,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash565,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine536,000 mi
Structure: body: door5
Tires5
Vehicle speed control569,000 mi
Visibility: windshield5
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery456,750 mi
Seat belts442,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor476,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic415,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components4
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields4101,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal4
Electrical system: ignition3
Electrical system: starter assembly3
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood3
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys332,609 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.3
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings359,000 mi
Interior lighting369,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch363,559 mi
Power train: axle assembly328,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly355,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections342,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt3114,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor3118,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core3117,000 mi
Electrical system: horn2
Engine2168,390 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Equipment: mechanical: carrier/rack2
Exterior lighting: headlights2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2100,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings257,800 mi
Fuel system, other269,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft2
Power train: driveline: differential unit2
Power train: driveline: driveshaft230,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission289,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder2
Steering2
Structure289,000 mi
Suspension: rear2
Visibility2
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system176,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: lines and fittings169,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other: delivery1100,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1333,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional1
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1
Seat belts: front1
Seat belts: front: warning light/devices1
Seat belts: rear/other1
Seats1
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: caliper1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist1
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: gear box: shaft pitman1
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly163,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments1
Structure: body: hood1
Structure: body: roof and pillars1
Structure: body: tailgate1
Suspension: front: stabilizer bar1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Tires: sidewall192,955 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1
Vehicle speed control: linkages1
Visibility: glass, side/rear1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1
Wheels: hubcap/cover1

The 1998 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2000 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.