Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
303Complaints
5Recalls
19Crashes
6Fires
9Injured
0Deaths
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
Is this problem acknowledged?
The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (15.5% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
Complaint category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
47 · 15.5%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
21 · 6.9%
Recalled
Recall 98V222000
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift
18 · 5.9%
not available
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine
16 · 5.3%
not available
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
15 · 5%
not available
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
15 · 5%
Recalled
Recall 98V222000
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT18 · 5.9%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE16 · 5.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION15 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP15 · 5%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC15 · 5%
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER14 · 4.6%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14 · 4.6%
Percentages are the share of the 303 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park itPark outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What owners report
“WHEN DRIVING ENGINE STALLS. MOST OF THE TIME IT STALLS WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOPPED POSITION. ALSO, THE ENGINE STUTTERS. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE TWICE…”NHTSA complaint 851765 — filed 10/26/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHEN STOPPED THE ENGINE IDLES ROUGH AND IF ON AN INCLINE, IT IS AS THOUGH IT WILL STALL BEFORE IT KICKS IN AND GOES. ALSO…”NHTSA complaint 711443 — filed 09/16/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON, AND THE ENGINE WASN'T RUNNING PROPERLY. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER'S SHOP FOR…”NHTSA complaint 844529 — filed 08/06/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Complaint trend by year filed
Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Kia Sportage?
Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 47 of 303 NHTSA complaints (15.5%), followed by unspecified/other issues (24), service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (21), power train:automatic transmission:lever and linkage:column shift (18). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
How many complaints does the 1998 Kia Sportage have?
303 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 19 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 9 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Does the 1998 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 02V216000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Has NHTSA acted on the 1998 Kia Sportage's reported problems?
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
Is a complaint proof of a defect?
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.
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