CarRecallWatchThe 1998 Kia Sportage has 3 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA, including 19 crashes, 6 fires, 9 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine And Engine Cooling (91 reports).
1998 Kia Sportage recalls
Most common 1998 Kia Sportage problems
Problem areas named in the 303 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 91 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 81 |
| Power Train | 71 |
| Electrical System | 58 |
| Structure | 33 |
| Visibility | 31 |
| Suspension | 28 |
| Equipment | 25 |
| Unknown Or Other | 24 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 18 |
What owners report
RIGHT REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY STABLIZER RUSTED OFF FRAME
MY STEERING COLUMN DOESN'T LOCK WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IT HAS ALSO STARTED FAILING TO START BUT WHEN WE JUMPSTART IT IT RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE LEARNED; THAT SOMETIMES IF I ROCK IT OR PUSH IT A FEW FEET IT WILL START RIGHT UP TOO. IT ACTS ALMOST LIKE A VAPOR LOCK BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS WARM AND JUST DOESN'T START AFTER HAVING SET FOR AN HOUR. ALMOST LIKE A SHORT OR DISCONNECT. ADDITIONALLY THE BLOWER MOTOR SEEMS TO HAVE DIED TOO. HEAT/AC WORKS, JUST DOESN'T DISTRIBUTE. I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A RECALL ON EITHER OF THESE SINCE THEY SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL OR WIRING HARNESS ISSUES.
REAR FRAME RUST/ROT IS INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE. NOTICED TODAY WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. REAR CROSS MEMBER IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. VISIBLE DETERIORATION HAPPENED QUICKLY. PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2012 THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROT ON THE FRAME. NOW I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, OR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, THE INTEGRITY OF THE SQUARE TUBE FRAME IS COMPROMISED TO THE POINT THAT SAFETY IN A REAR END COLLISION IS IN QUESTION, ANY KIND OF TRAILER LOAD WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND UNSAFE. REALLY A DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. *TR
I CANNOT FASTEN MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT EXTEND. I WENT TO POWER KIA IN SALEM, OR AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS I PAY FOR REPAIRS. SEEING HOW THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT IS THE LAW TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR
THIS IS A REPEAT OF CONFIRMATION NO. 10514519, BUT WITH "WAS THERE AN INJURY OR FATALITY? MARKED "YES" ABOVE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SCALDED WITH BOILING RADIATOR FLUID WITH FOOT ON PEDAL, HAD TO KEEP FOOT ON PETAL TO GET OFF ROAD. ON MAY 30, 2013, AT APPROX. 4:30PM EDT, I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 KIA SPORTAGE ON THE GARDEN STATE PARKWAY NORTH, JUST AFTER ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AT EXIT 98 IN WALL, NJ. THE AIR CONDITIONER HAD NOT BEEN WORKING WELL. THE LOCAL TEMPERATURE WAS IN THE HIGH 90S, NEAR 100 DEGREES. I HAD A PASSENGER IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. SUDDENLY, ANTI-FREEZE SMOKE CAME OUT OF THE DASHBOARD VENTS, THEN, HOT SCALDING ANTI-FREEZE BEGAN FALLING ON MY RIGHT FOOT AS IT WAS ON THE A
1998 Kia Sportage questions
Does the 1998 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 1998 Kia Sportage: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly; Electrical System:Wiring; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Hoses, Lines/Piping, And Fittings. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Kia Sportage?
Based on 303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine And Engine Cooling (91), Service Brakes, Hydraulic (81), Power Train (71).
How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Kia Sportage has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.