1997 KIA SPORTAGE

3 recalls, 299 complaints - 15 TSBs

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Defect Description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Consequence

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

Remedy

OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

189,706 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

76,986 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

Defect Description

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.

Consequence

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.

23,493 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.

Complaint Statistics

299 total complaints 50 crashes 6 fires 46 injuries 1 deaths

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE	39
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL	21
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	20
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	16
AIR BAGS	14
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	9
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP	9
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR	8
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION	8
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS	6

Incident date: Sep 3, 2018

WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT TALKING WITH MY WIFE, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.

Incident date: Dec 12, 2018

FUEL TANK IS LEAKING

Incident date: Sep 3, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE OCCUPIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF WILMINGTON (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 656-3100) WHERE THE... Read more

Incident date: Aug 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE FOR T... Read more

Incident date: Mar 26, 2014

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN APPROXIMATELY AT 55MPH ENGINE WILL STALL. SLOW DOWN AND STOP WITHOUT WARNING. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN TURN ENGINE OFF RESTART RUN IT THRU ALL OF THE GEARS AND IT WILL BE FINE FOR AWHILE UNLESS ON BUMPY ROAD OR STOP WARNING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I CAN NOT FILL GAS TANK UP ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 26, 2014

Incident date: Jul 21, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA. THE LOWER AIR BAG STRUCK THE CONTACT IN THE HIP AREA AND THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG STRUCK THE C... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Jun 1, 2006

THE DESIGN OF THE PROTECTIVE SHIELD FOR THE FUEL TANK ALLOWED SAND AND PEBBLES TO ACCUMULATE TO THE EXTENT THAT I STARTED NOTICING FUEL VAPORS. THE VEHICLE IS HOUSED IN A GARAGE, SO I RAISED A WINDOW TO HELP DISSIPATE THE VAPORS. IN A FEW DAYS, FUEL WAS DRIPPING FROM THE LEAKS IN THE TANK. I APPL... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2008

1997 KIA SPORTAGE HAVE A DEFECTIVE FUEL TANK. CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE RECEIVED A NOTICE AFTER THE REPAIR TO THE FUEL TANK WAS DONE AND WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE REPAIR WORK. *NJ THE CONSUMER STATED PRIOR TO THE REPAIR, SHE SMELLED GAS AND THERE WAS GAS ON THE GARAGE FLOOR. IT WAS DET... Read more

Incident date: Jun 14, 2006

A FEW YEARS BACK I STARTED SMELLING GAS. SO MY FATHER IN LAW AND UNCLE TOOK A LOOK AT IT AND IT YEP YOU GOT A GAS LEAK. SO THEY TRIED TO PATCH IT SEVERAL TIMES AND NOTHING HAS SEEMED TO WORK. SO BACK IN FEBRUARY I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM KIA STATING A REPAIR BENEFIT NOTIFICATION ABOUT MY GAS TANK LEA... Read more

Incident date: Jan 5, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS OVERHEATING. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THE USED CAR DEALER REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND THE MAIN HOSE. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO OVERHEAT, AND WHEN DIAGNOSED ,THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THE OVERHEATING WAS DUE TO THE CLUTCH OVERHEATING AND THE FAN STIC... Read more

Incident date: Jan 5, 2007

Incident date: Nov 19, 1999

KIA REFUSES TO INCLUDE MY 1997 SPORTAGE EX 4WD IN RECALL FOR 1997 KIA SPORTAGES EX 4WD. RECALL 1CMP005 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) HAS NEVER BEEN PERFORMED. ALSO NOT SURE THAT RECALL 2CMP014 ON WIRING HAS BEEN PERFORMED. MY MAIN CONCERN AND THE REFUSAL FROM KIA IS ON THE ECM. *JB

Incident date: Oct 19, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED AT 15 MPH AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. HE DID NOT RUN OVER ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT SINCE HE PURCHASED IT. HE HAS TRIED CONTACTING THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, BUT EVERY TIME HE CALLED HE WAS PLACED ON HOLD. THEREFORE, HE HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE REP... Read more

Incident date: Jul 8, 2005

DT: DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING IN REVERSE BACKING FROM A DRIVEWAY AT LOW SPEED. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR IMPACT. THIS HAPPENED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. NO LIGHTS ILLUMINATED OR WARNING SIGNALS. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN A SHADED AREA FOR ABOUT AN HOUR WHEN THIS OCCURRED... Read more

1 injured

Incident date: Oct 3, 1999

DT: KIA SPORTAGE 1997, VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT, THE ACCIDENT WAS REPORTED TO THE POLICE, AFTER THE DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IT KEPT SHUTTING OFF. VEHICLE HAD A BENT FRAME. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TWICE, AND THEY FAILED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ELECTRIC WINDOWS W... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 3, 1999

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: May 29, 2005

DT: CONSUMER STATES: THE DRIVER'S AIR BAGS DISCHARGED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A STOP LIGHT.*AK

Incident date: Jan 24, 2003

SEAT BELT FAILURE

Crash 1 deaths

Incident date: May 5, 2005

DT THE VEHICLE REVS UP TO ALMOST 2000 RPM'S, THE VEHICLE JERKED THEN STALLED. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR ABOUT 5 YEARS. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN SERVICED, BUT IT KEEPS HAPPENING. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THE SERVICE COMPUTER INDICATED THAT THE RECALL REP... Read more

Incident date: May 5, 2003

IN MAY 5, 2003 I TOOK TO INSPECT THE CAR FOR A NOISE AT THE BACK. ITS LIKE BEING ON A PLANE FOR DEPARTURE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BACK DIFFERENTIALS WAS DAMAGED. IT ONLY HAD 25,317 MILEAGE IN 2003. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT. THIS YEAR 2005 A INSPECT THE CAR AT WESTER AUTO I WAS TOLD THE... Read more

Incident date: Jan 12, 2005

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH HOOD LATCH SNAPPED AND THE HOOD FLEW OPEN. CONSUMER PULLED OVER THE LATCH THE HOOD DOWN. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK BROKEN WINDSHIELD REPAIRED, BUT DAMAGED HOOD NOT REPAIRED TO DATE. *BF *NM

Incident date: Dec 28, 2001

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V325000; KIA ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO VIN. HOWEVER, THE ENGINE STALLED, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. *AK

Incident date: Oct 28, 2004

THE SRS AIR BAG LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CRUISE CONTROL FAILED TO COME ON ITS OWN. THE CLOCK SPRING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK THE AIR BAG LIGHT HAD BEEN ON FOR A YEAR. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *SC

Incident date: Oct 28, 2004

Incident date: Oct 23, 2004

THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS SITTING IN A PARKING LOT. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THEY NEEDED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE TOWING WOULD BE PROVIDED. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PARK POSITION WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. *SC

1 injured

Incident date: Oct 1, 2004

I JUST PURCHASED A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE WITH 38,000 MILES ON IT. IN THE TWO WEEKS SINCE PURCHASE I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIR TWICE. WITH SUCH LOW MILES ON THE VEHICLE I THOUGHT IT WAS A GOOD AND SAFE PURCHASE BUT NOW I AM AFRAID I HAVE MADE A MISTAKE. THE DAY AFTER PURCHASE THE DRIV... Read more

Incident date: Jun 3, 2004

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WHEN THE DRIVER'S AIRBAGS DEPLOYED VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSED TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. HOWEVER THEY NEVER CAME TO INSPECT. MANUFACTURER OFFERED TO REPLACE THE DEDUCTIBLE.*AK

1 injured

Incident date: Jun 22, 2004

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER AND THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER VISITED THE HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES.*AK *NM

Crash 2 injured

Incident date: Apr 28, 2004

WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

Fire

Incident date: Apr 27, 2004

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, AND VEHICLE CONTINUED TO SPEED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. HOWEVER, MECHANIC COULD NOT ... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2003

THIS CAR IS ABSOLUTELY UNSAFE TO DRIVE; AT ANY MOMENT IT MAY STALL DUE TO THE FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IN FOR SERVICE NUMEROUS TIMES AND I HAVE NEVER GOTTEN THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. I HAVE SIMPLY HAD ENOUGH AND WOULD LIKE SOME HELP.

Incident date: Jul 15, 2003

Incident date: Mar 27, 2004

I HAVE BEEN HAVING STALLING PROBLEMS FOR ABOUT 2WEEKS NOW, AT FIRST I THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY; BUT I CHECKED IT OUT AT AUTOZONE FOR FREE AND THE MACHINE THAT DETECTS HOW MUCH POWER IN THE BATTERY SUGGESTED THAT THE BATTERY WAS FINE. THE STALLING PROBLEMS STARTED TWO WEEKS AGO AND I HAD TO PU... Read more

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

Crash

Incident date: Aug 14, 2003

KIA SPORTAGE 4 DOOR. REAR DRIVER SIDE PASSENGER DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN FROM OUTSIDE. DOOR OPENED FROM INSIDE. DOOR WAS THEN SHUT AND DID NOT LATCH, UPON SECOND CLOSING DOOR LATCHED. DROVE AROUND TWO MILES AND WENT AROUND CURVE AT ABOUT 10 MPH DOOR LATCH RELEASED AND DOOR FLEW OPEN. 16 MONTH OLD CH... Read more

Incident date: Aug 15, 2003

ABS AND PARKING BRAKE DASH LIGHTS CAME ON. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. MECHANIC SAID THAT LOW FLUID IN MASTER CYLINDER CAUSED THE LIGHTS AND THAT THE MASTER CYLINDER HAD A LEAK AND NEEDED REPLACED. ALSO STATED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE. COULD HAVE LOST ALL BRAKING CAPABILIT... Read more

Incident date: Jul 15, 2003

CONSUMER IS HAVING TROUBLE WITH VEHICLE STALLING WHEN ACCELERATING, AND LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING.HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, BUT THEY WOULD NOT REPAIR IT UNDER THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY PROBLEM WAS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED.*AK

Incident date: Jul 4, 2003

WHILE BACKING OUT OF GARAGE AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING AIR BAG KNEE BOLSTER WENT OFF WITHOUT PHYSICAL CONTACT BLWE OUT DASH AND PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALER NOTIFIED STATED IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WOULD NOT REPAIR IT. *AK *CB

Incident date: Feb 10, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED IT TO FLIP AND LAND UPSIDE DOWN. DEALER STATED THE THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM

Incident date: Mar 9, 2003

1997 SPORTAGE KIA WITH 67000 MILES, DEALER MAINTAINED NOW HAS A "FAULTY AIRBAG" SIGNAL THAT INDICATES POSSIBILITY THAT AIRBAG MAY NOT DEFLATE IN AN ACCIDENT. NO ACCIDENTS OF ANY KIND. *JB

Incident date: Oct 23, 2002

MY CAR WILL NOT GET OUT OF FIRST GEAR. THE KIA COPRORATION FIELD EXPERTS CANNOT FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT, THEY SAY IT'S A WIRING NIGHTMARE, THEY REFUSE TO TAKE IT TO IRVINE (KIA HEADQUARTERS) BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. I BELIEVE THEY WIRING HARNESS RECALL OF 1997 PROVES THAT THE CAR HA... Read more

Incident date: Jan 24, 2003

BOTH REAR DOORS CAN'T BE OPENED EITHER MANUALLY OR ELECTRICALLY. REAR DOORS ARE A TRAP FOR PASSENGERS. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS. *AK

Incident date: Jan 3, 2003

CONSUMER STATES TOOK VEHICLE FOR SERVICES AND THE TECHNICIAN FOUND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS LEAKING ALSO FOUND PASSENGER BRAKE LINE WAS LEAKING. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

Incident date: Sep 1, 2002

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLED. CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO DISCOVERED WATER IN FUEL TANK. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION DETERMINED A BURNED WIRE INSIDE OF FUEL TANK COULD HAVE CAUSED AN EXPLOSION.*AK

Showing 50 of 299 complaints.

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 KIA SPORTAGE

15 manufacturer communications from 9 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
151400 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY	2
356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY	2
017600 STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM	1
092100 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP	1
071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY	1
053000 PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT	1
123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS	1
125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS	1

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This b

160000 STRUCTURE

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

354000 EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some example

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

170000 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with sta

356000 EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY

053000 PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

123000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

125000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

071100 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT UNDER REPAIR BENEFIT PROGRAM. ON CERTAIN 1997-2000 SPORTAGES. *NJ

092100 FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP RELAYS & EMISSIONS FAILURES. KIA TECHNICIAN TIMES. *TT

151400 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DEALERS. *TT

151400 SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

THIS BULLETIN PROVIDED INFORMATION RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. *TT

017600 STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM

SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING KNUCKLE REPLACEMENT. *TT

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA SPORTAGE

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2002

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION

KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC. (KIA) HAS IDENTIFIED A DEFECT IN THE PLASTIC ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES AND WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL.KIA'S DEFECT REPORT STATES, ...HEAT GENERATED BY THE ENGINE CAUSES REPEATED BENDING DEFORMATION OF THE POLYPROPYLENE COOLING FAN...INITIATING CRACKS IN TH... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2002

FAN BLADE CRACKING/SEPARATION

THE INVESTIGATION OF ENGINE COOLING FANS IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WAS OPENED ON SEPTEMBER 21, 2006 AS PE06-042.THE BASIS FOR OPENING WAS 10 CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FAN BLADE CRACKING AND BLADE SEPARATION.SIX OF THE REPORTS INDICATED THE SEPARATED FAN BLADES CAUSED DAMAGE TO OTHER ENGINE COMPARTMENT... Read more

EA, Closed , Model Year: 1996

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

ON JANUARY 4, 2006, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED A PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO INVESTIGATE ALLEGED FUEL LEAKAGE FROM THE STEEL FUEL STORAGE TANK IN CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 1999-2000 KIA SPORTAGE VEHICLES.ODI SENT A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER ON JANUARY 25, 2006 REQUESTING INFORMATION AB... Read more

RQ, Closed , Model Year: 1997

ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL

RQ02-013 WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF RECALL 99V-325, WHICH INVOLVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS (HARNESS).VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL POPULATION HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF A DEFECT TREND.THE MAJORITY OF RECALL REMEDY FAILURES IDENTIFIED WERE REPAIRED... Read more

DP, Closed , Model Year: 2000

VEHICLE ROLLOVER

There is no summary currently available

PE, Closed , Model Year: 1999

WINDSHIELD WIPER

SQ, Closed , Model Year: 1997

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON

A monthly Technical Times published by Kia and distributed to dealer technicians identifying a wiring harness problem that could cause connectors C123 and C124 to pull apart slightly during engine load changes.This could lead to erratic or tempory loss

KIA SPORTAGE - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA SPORTAGE across all model years (1995, 2026).

87 Total Recalls

6,818 Total Complaints

8 Investigations

437 Reported Crashes

258 Reported Fires

3 Reported Deaths

KIA SPORTAGE - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	1	43	View
2025	1	87	View
2024	3	101	View
2023	6	314	View
2022	1	68	View
2021	2	62	View
2020	2	206	View
2019	2	102	View
2018	3	229	View
2017	4	561	View
2016	2	183	View
2015	2	195	View
2014	3	154	View
2013	3	449	View
2012	5	454	View
2011	6	264	View
2010	2	28	View
2009	3	120	View
2008	3	138	View
2007	2	113	View
2006	1	169	View
2005	3	93	View
2003	0	4	View
2002	3	321	View
2001	2	354	View
2000	4	462	View
1999	5	493	View
1998	5	558	View
1997 (current)	3	299
1996	3	98	View
1995	2	88	View

Other KIA Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
SORENTO	188	13,593	View
SEDONA	118	3,350	View
OPTIMA	100	10,128	View
TELLURIDE	70	2,186	View
SOUL	66	7,233	View
SORENTO HYBRID	62	159	View
SOUL EV	62	50	View
FORTE	56	3,494	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

1997 KIA SPORTAGE

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

Technical Service Bulletins, 1997 KIA SPORTAGE

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, KIA SPORTAGE

KIA SPORTAGE - All Years Overview

KIA SPORTAGE - Year by Year

Other KIA Models