1999 Kia Sportage problems
The 1999 Kia Sportage has 493 complaints on file with NHTSA. The largest share (19%) concerns engine. Next are brakes (10%) and electrical system (9%).
At a glance
- Complaints
- 493 filed with NHTSA
- Most reported
- Engine 19% of complaints
- Crashes and fires
- 43 and 6
- Injuries and deaths
- 21 and 1
- Typical mileage
- 71,000 miles 103 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 | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 11 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 18 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 25 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 13 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 14 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 6 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 1 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 7 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 1 |
| 200k+ miles | 4 |
What the data shows
Of the 103 complaints that include odometer readings, half describe a problem before roughly 71,000 miles. For engine specifically, the median reported mileage is about 50,000 miles (16 complaints with mileage).
Safety-related details: 43 complaints mention a crash; 6 complaints mention a fire; 21 injuries reported; 1 death reported.
Looking only at complaints filed within five years of the model year (so older and newer years are comparable), the 1999 ranks 4th most-complained-about out of 30 model years of the Kia Sportage with enough data (272 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.
I was in a car accident in of decemeber 241999.one person dide.because the kia did not stop on time.I would like to know about the brake system in the kia sportage.
Vehicle involved in a frontal collision of 40 MPH. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. Also, both seat belts failed to lock in place. Injuries were sustainrd by both driver and passenger. Dealer notified.
Defective gas tank and fuel lines had to be replaced at owner's expense of $836.54 manufacturer refuses to acknowledge defect and pay for repairs to correct the problem. Fortunately, problem was discovered before personal injury. Occurred by fire or explosion!
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. The contact stated that the rear driver's side frame behind the tires was beginning to rust and disintegrate. There were no recalls for the particular component. The failure and current mileages were 78,000. Updated 01-26-09 updated 01/27/09.