1998 Kia Sportage problems
The 1998 Kia Sportage has 558 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (16%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (15%) and electrical system (10%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 558 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 16% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 31 and 7
- Injuries and deaths
- 19 and 0
- Typical mileage
- 70,000 miles 52 complaints with mileage
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
Where the complaints are
Share of this model year's complaints by the part of the car involved. One complaint can name more than one part, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
When problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 7 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 0 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 8 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 16 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 10 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 4 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 3 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 3 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 52 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 70,000 miles.
Safety-related details: 31 complaints mention a crash; 7 complaints mention a fire; 19 injuries reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1998 ranks 1st most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Kia Sportage with enough data (399 complaints in that window). It is also covered by 3 safety recall campaigns.
What owners wrote
A few complaints as filed, shortened and with personal details removed. The first ones are among the most serious reports for this model year; the rest are typical.
When consumer was involved in a minor crash seat belt on the driver's side came unhooked, causing the driver to hit the steering wheel. Problem has been reported to the manufacturer. Vehicle will be repaired by the dealership. Please give any further informaiton.
The car has been the shop more than it has been out. The dealership's service deptartment has informed me, that since they can not duplicate the problem I have discribed to them,they can't fix the car. When I pick the car back up from the service deptartment, the problem continues for me. Time after time, the service dept. Is informed of this problem and as of this date 2/27/00 the car is still at the dealership unfixed. No safety defect listed within summary.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision at 40 MPH with a light pole and neither air bag deployed. Dealer and manufacturer were not notified at this time. Manufacturer had notified at this time.
Strong odor of gasoline in and around the car indicated a fuel leak. When investigated the leak was found coming from the fuel tank underneath the center part of the vehicle. Appears to be due to corrosion of the tank. We are still checking on replacement fuel tanks for replacement and are not able to drive the vehicle.
I own a 1998 kia sportage 4wd. I have access to alldata.com. I have recently performed some engine work to my vehicle and came across a recall that caused me some concern. Number: kt2006050901 is listed as a possible concern for "certain 1996 - 2002 sportage models."I would like to know what makes a particular vehicle one that is marked "for concern." the recall states the exact issue that I am facing with my vehicle. This condition is being exhibited at this time.