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1998 Kia SportageProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 303 owner complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Sportage median · #7 of 28 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints30332 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through April 24, 2017. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Kia Sportage has problems

303 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling792
Service brakes, hydraulic706
Power train633
Electrical system475
Visibility270
Structure261
Suspension261
Equipment190
Fuel system, gasoline180
15 other systems9220

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

1998 Kia Sportage recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 02V-216 · Aug 16, 2002 · 189,706 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings

Recall 98V-222 · Sep 15, 1998 · 39,656 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Sportage year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sportage median. How we score

'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Kia Sportage, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TURN SIGHALEA00018 · closed Jul 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-207
  2. FUEL TANK LEAKAGEEA06007 · closed Nov 30, 2007
    No recall
  3. TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARDPE00004 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    No recall
  4. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONPE02051 · closed Sep 20, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-216
  5. WINDSHIELD WIPERPE99033 · closed Oct 21, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-271
  6. ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALLRQ02013 · closed Sep 2, 2003
    Led to recall 99V-325
In owners' words

What Sportage owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CONSUMER NOTICED A LOUD POPPING NOISE COMING FROM UNDER ENGINE, AND THEN ENGINE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS SERVICED, TECHNICIAN NOTICED ENGINE MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Complaint 10040532 · Sep 24, 2003
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHICH STATED THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1997 BUT THE VEHICLE IS 1998. *NLM
Complaint 10020271 · May 21, 2003
THE MANUFACTURER SENT A RECALL NOTICE TO REPLACE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER OVER A YEAR AGO. THE REPAIRS WERE DONE AND THE CONSUMER IS STILL EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS. *NLM
Complaint 10020117 · May 19, 2003

Own a 1998 Sportage?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.