CarModelProblems.com

1998 Kia Sportage Problems & Recalls

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 categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline47 · 15.5%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components21 · 6.9%RecalledRecall 98V222000
Power Train:automatic Transmission:lever And Linkage:column Shift18 · 5.9%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine16 · 5.3%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission15 · 5%not available
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip15 · 5%RecalledRecall 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.

Complaints by component

Unspecified / other24 · 7.9%
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.

Recalls — 5 campaigns

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 02V216000 · 2002 · reported 08/16/2002

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

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 99V325000 · 1999 · reported 11/19/1999

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings

NHTSA campaign 98V222000 · 1998 · reported 09/15/1998

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Exterior Lighting:headlights

NHTSA campaign 09E025000 · 2009 · reported 05/11/2009

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

Exterior Lighting

NHTSA campaign 09E012000 · 2009 · reported 04/07/2009

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 it Park 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

115200011850200235152004562006212009222011822014112017

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.