1997 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
111 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
82,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 18 of 111 complaints (16.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 23 | 20.7% |
| Braking behavior | 13 | 11.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 10.8% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 8.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 8 | 7.2% |
| Steering behavior | 5 | 4.5% |
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 | 18 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 17 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 4 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 18; Air Bags:Frontal: 17; Air Bags: 10; Vehicle Speed Control: 10; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 5; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 9 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 3 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 9; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (9). 87 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 | 46 |
| 2001 | 13 |
| 2002 | 12 |
| 2003 | 10 |
| 2004 | 11 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 1 |
2000: 46; 2001: 13; 2002: 12; 2003: 10; 2004: 11; 2005: 9; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 3; 2019: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 23 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 12 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10002022 · 2003-01-03 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002022 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004630 · 2003-01-24 (January 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10005620 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
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 HAS NEVER BEEN PROPERLY FIXED, AND I CAN'T GET ANY ANSWERS. MY CAR HAS BEEN AT THE MISSION BAY KIA DEALERSHIP SINCE 12-1-02, AND I'M STILL WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT'S WRONG WITH IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10010936 · 2003-03-24 (March 24, 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
Owner-reported narrative. 67,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010936 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10019352 · 2003-05-07 (May 7, 2003)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10019352 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026298 · 2003-07-01 (July 1, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITH NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10026298 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027253 · 2003-08-01 (August 1, 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
Owner-reported narrative. 53,653 miles reported. Look up ODI 10027253 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10027329 · 2003-07-15 (July 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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10027329 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V216000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2002-08-16 (August 16, 2002)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗97V234000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages:Hatchback/Liftgate:Lock
Reported: 1997-12-17 (December 17, 1997)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗99V325000 · Electrical System:Wiring
Reported: 1999-11-19 (November 19, 1999)
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗