10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1997 Kia Sportage:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #5

Oct 282001

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving 10-20 mph applied on brakes and without warning brakes did not function. Consumer then tried to shift vehicle manually; however, transmission malfunctioned, resulting in a head-on collision. Driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer adds that the accelerator was stuck. The air bags failed to deploy.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #4

Oct 282001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10-15 mph applied brakes and without warning, brakes did not function, driver had to run a red light, resulting in a head on collision, driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer states that the airbag failed. Consumer also states that the accelerator and transmission stuck.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #3

Oct 282001

Sportage 4WD

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 10-15 mph, front of the vehicle was hit and none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer. Consumer adds the brakes failed. The transmission failed. Experiencing problems with the accelerator.

- Ridgeway, VA, USA

problem #2

Dec 021999

(reported on)

Sportage

  • miles
Transmission shift slips out of park, air bag light stays on, coolent leak at engine lower left, lower front pulley bearing damaged engine

- Jamesburg, NJ, USA

problem #1

Oct 191998

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
When backing out sometimes & when pushing on the gas, car will not move. Car will just eject back unexpectedly.

- Baumont, TX, USA