1998 KIA Sportage problems
Owners have filed 558 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sportage with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 16.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 14.5%.
Complaints558
Crashes31
Fires7
Injuries19
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 16.3% · 91
Service brakes, hydraulic 14.5% · 81
Power train 12.7% · 71
Electrical system 10.4% · 58
Structure 5.9% · 33
Visibility 5.6% · 31
Suspension 5.0% · 28
Equipment 4.5% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 31 describe a crash, 7 describe a fire and 19 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 21 model years of the KIA Sportage in this data, 1998 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 2017 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 4 in the last three years against 12 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 70,000 miles.
In owners' own words
There are many of problems with this vehicle as of today ther are only 1700 mile on the vehicleas where mor than 1/2 those miles are from going back and forth to the service dept as it is an 80 mile trip to the service dept. As for KIA they are totally ignorant as they do not ever return any of my phone calls. This suvis a lemon if I ever saw one . You would thin. No safet defect (s) listed in the summary. Engine and engine cooling
Oxygen sensor has been replaced three times after routine service was performed.*Ak consumer also stated the wipers were not clearing windshield, windows go up slowly, 4-wheel drive was inoperative,vehicle was loosing power steering, dealer replaced the fan belt,air condition was inoperative,wheel bearing were loose,weatherstrip was replaced,the engine boggs down while driving, front brakes were noisy.*Slc Engine and engine cooling
Engine light is on and dealership states that it is something else that causes it to come back on. And they insist that I pay for the repairs, and the problem still persists. I took it to do all the recalls and they claim to have done them. I can only take their word. I have taken it 2xs and problem still exsists. I had asked to see if it had a short but was told no. No safety defect. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other KIA Sportage years
1997 299 complaints · 21.1% engine and engine cooling 1999 493 complaints · 18.5% engine and engine cooling 2000 462 complaints · 18.0% fuel system, gasoline 2001 354 complaints · 15.5% engine and engine cooling 2002 321 complaints · 22.4% engine and engine cooling 2006 169 complaints · 22.5% air bags