10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 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 1998 Kia Sportage:

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

problem #3

Aug 112000

Sportage

  • miles
Transmission failure.

- Inwood, NY, USA

problem #2

Mar 251999

Sportage 4WD

  • miles
Front windshield has air leaks & at high speeds the wind is annoying. The front passenger seat belt locks into place as soon as the passenger clamps into place. One doesn't have to press brake peddle for it to tighten around person. When driving and particularly engaging the clutch to down shift the gear linkage disengages and the gears can't be located especially in second, third or fourth gears and because of such has almost caused three crashes. We had this checked by the dealer and they said they found nothing wrong with the gear shifting mechanism. I beg to differ because I drive that car every day and I've driven many manual shift transmissions cars and I believe that after driving for sometime (I.e., one to two hours) the transmission heats up and causes problems with gear selection.

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #1

Apr 121999

(reported on)

Sportage

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While trying to shift gears, gears stick in between shifting. Dealer has been contacted.

- Washington, DC, USA