1998 Kia SPORTAGE problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
207 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1998 model year. Data snapshot: . 34 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 207 complaints (15.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 37 | 17.9% |
| Engine operation | 34 | 16.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 21 | 10.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 4.8% |
| Steering behavior | 10 | 4.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 2.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 32 |
| Unknown Or Other | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 14 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 12 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 12 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 11 |
| Electrical System | 9 |
| Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner | 8 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 32; Unknown Or Other: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 14; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 12; Vehicle Speed Control: 12; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 11; Electrical System: 9; Equipment:Appliance:Air Conditioner: 8
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 12 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 9 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 12; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 173 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 61 |
| 2001 | 63 |
| 2002 | 23 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 10 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
2000: 61; 2001: 63; 2002: 23; 2003: 26; 2004: 10; 2005: 5; 2006: 5; 2007: 2; 2009: 1; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2015: 1; 2017: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 34 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 21 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10007930 · 2003-02-21 (February 21, 2003)
FIRST OF ALL, MY 1998 KIA SPORTAGE HAS HAS SEVERAL (LIKE 4) RECALLS. WHEN THE RECALL CAME ABOUT THE HUBS ON THE 4X4, I TOOK THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE THE WORK DONE. THE NEXT WINTER HOWEVER, THE 4X4 DID NOT WORK. THANKFULLY THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND IT WAS FIXED UNDER THE WARRANTY. SINCE THAT TIME, I HAVE HAD TO HAVE NO BEARINGS PUT INTO THE BRAKES, NEW ROTATORS AND BRAKE PADS TWICE. IN DEC., 2002, I HAD $500.00 WORTH OF WORK DONE TO REPLACE THE WATER PUMP, THE TIMING BELT AND OTHER BELTS THAT WERE SQUEAKING. JUST TODAY (AFTER JUST…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007930 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10009850 · 2002-04-16 (April 16, 2002)
FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK WAS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I HAD A OIL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE. CAR STARTED TO SHAKE EVEN AFTER IT WAS HOT AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR RR WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING AND THE BRAKES WERE MAKING SOME WEIRD NOISE. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TO FIX AND HE SENT IT TO KIA FOR REPAIR, THE KIA CREW FOUND THE FRONT CALIPER FROZEN, BUT THE CUSTOMER DENIED TO FIX IT. SO I BROUGHT IT TO A SPECIALIST TO CHECK DOUBLE CHECK THE CAR. THEY FOUND THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS AND FOUND THE CAR UNSAFE (CALIPER …
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10009850 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004256 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE DRIVING. ON JUNE 2002, DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, SEVEN MONTHS LATER PROBLEM IS RECURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004256 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008736 · 2003-02-19 (February 19, 2003)
THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE ON AN INCLINE.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003480 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
ON GOING PROBLEM WITH A "CHECK LIGHT" WITH THE 1998 SPORTAGE KIA. WENT TO MECHANICS AT PONTIAC AND MARTIN MAZDA (WHEN THEY TOOK OVER) AND ALL THEY DID WAS UNPLUG THE BATTERY AND PUT IT BACK IN AGAIN. THE CHECK LIGHT COME BACK ON A DAY OR TWO LATER. THEY NEVER FIX THE PROBLEM. MY FEELING IS THERE WAS A CONSPIRACY BY MARTIN MAZDA AND NUCAR PONTIAC TO DELAY ACTUALLY FIXING THE PROBLEM. BEING THAT MY CAR WAS REGISTERED FOR THREE YEARS, THE STATE OF DELAWARE WOULDN'T CATCH IT ON THE INSPECTION REPORT. I WENT FOR INSPECTION AND IT FAILED BECAU…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003480 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10028616 · 2003-07-19 (July 19, 2003)
CONTINUAL FAILURE OF BATTERY , REPLACED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT CONTIUES TO HAVE BATTERY FAILURE ALSO WINDOWS AND DOOR LCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10028616 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10020271 · 2003-05-21 (May 21, 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020271 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10045439 · 2003-11-04 (November 4, 2003)
SUNDAY, 11-02-2003, WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ST IN MESA, ARIZONA, OUR 1998 KIA SPORTAGE'S GEARSHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. I WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR AT THE TIME. THE BREAK WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES FROM FLOOR LEVEL, DOWN INSIDE THE CONSOL. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE MEDIAN WITHOUT CRASHING. MY PREGNANT WIFE AND THREE-YEAR-OLD SON WERE WITH ME IN THE VEHICLE.I CONTACTED KIA AND THE SHORT OF IT IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS …
Owner-reported narrative. 88,675 miles reported. Look up ODI 10045439 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10089580 · 2004-08-20 (August 20, 2004)
PROBLEMS WITH HORN, STEERING WHEEL AND AIR CONDITIONER ON 1998 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR THE VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10089580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10104517 · 2004-12-26 (December 26, 2004)
DRIVING UPHILL IN ONE INCH OF SNOW THE AXEL HUBS ON THE FRONT OF VEHICLE DID NOT ENGAGE CAUSING THE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE STEERING, SLIDING SIDEWAYS AND BACKWARDS TO A STOP. THE PARTS REPLACED WERE AS FOLLOWS: AXEL HUB SEALS, AXEL BEARINGS, UPPER BALL JOINT, VACUUM LINE AND REALIGNMENT OF FRONT END.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 73,475 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104517 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007752 · 2003-02-18 (February 18, 2003)
1998 KIA SPORTAGE. FAILLURE TO CRANK. AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR A WHILE IT CUTS OFF WHILE DRIVING. HARD TO CRANK. FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED, BUT IT'S DOING THE SAME THING. REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME. FOUR WHEEL DRIVE DOESN'T WORK ALL THE TIME.
Owner-reported narrative. 84,459 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007752 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160307 · 2006-06-20 (June 20, 2006)
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. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 138,911 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160307 at NHTSA ↗