1999 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
260 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
78,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 71 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 38 of 260 complaints (14.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 47 | 18.1% |
| Braking behavior | 40 | 15.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 29 | 11.2% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 26 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 10 | 3.8% |
| Steering behavior | 9 | 3.5% |
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 | 38 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 17 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 15 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 13 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Electrical System | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift | 12 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 11 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 38; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System: 17; Fuel System, Gasoline: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 13; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Electrical System: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Lever And Linkage:Column Shift: 12; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 11
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 | 10 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 21 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 13 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 17 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 10; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 13; 100,000 to 149,999: 17; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 189 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 | 76 |
| 2001 | 46 |
| 2002 | 28 |
| 2003 | 22 |
| 2004 | 15 |
| 2005 | 15 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 10 |
| 2011 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 1 |
2000: 76; 2001: 46; 2002: 28; 2003: 22; 2004: 15; 2005: 15; 2006: 12; 2007: 9; 2008: 7; 2009: 7; 2010: 10; 2011: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 4; 2015: 1
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 47 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 40 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 29 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 10000887 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
WE BOUGHT A 1999 KIA IN NOVEMBER OF 1999. SINCE THEN WE HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT. EVERY SIX MONTHS THERE IS SOMETHING GONE WRONG WITH IT.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000887 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001124 · 2002-12-18 (December 18, 2002)
CONSUMER STATED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILED CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001124 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10004650 · 2003-01-27 (January 27, 2003)
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD. ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD WHICH SHE DID NOT NOTICE IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004650 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006734 · 2003-02-06 (February 6, 2003)
THERE WAS LOUD SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE REAR WHEEL. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006734 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006745 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, BUT 4-WHEEL DRIVE IS NOT ENGAGE. PH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10006745 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10007267 · 2003-03-03 (March 3, 2003)
THE RIGHT REAR SWAY BAR BROKE, WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO LOSE CONTROL, WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION.*AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10007267 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10013571 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
EXHAUST IS SUCKED INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT WHEN THE REAR VINYL WINDOW RELEASES FROM THE TRACK THAT IS SUPPOSE TO KEEP IT SECURED AND CLOSED. THE EXHAUST CAUSES ILLNESS AND HEADACHES. THE DESIGN OF THE WINDOW AND EXHAUST PIPE DO NOT ALLOW FOR AN EXHAUST FREE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10013571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015490 · 2003-04-09 (April 9, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 60 MPH THE CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. NONE OF THE VEHICLES AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONSUMERS RIGHT SHOULDER WAS INJURED AS A RESULT. *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015490 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.
04V305000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
NHTSA campaign record ↗98V222000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings
Reported: 1998-09-15 (September 15, 1998)
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.
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 ↗