CarModelProblems.com

1999 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.
284Complaints
5Recalls
27Crashes
3Fires
14Injured
1Deaths

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 (14.8% 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:gasoline42 · 14.8%not available
Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System19 · 6.7%not available
Power Train:automatic Transmission16 · 5.6%not available
Fuel System, Gasoline16 · 5.6%not available
Electrical System14 · 4.9%RecalledRecall 99V325000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip12 · 4.2%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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM19 · 6.7%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION16 · 5.6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE16 · 5.6%
Unspecified / other14 · 4.9%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM14 · 4.9%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP12 · 4.2%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING12 · 4.2%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL12 · 4.2%
VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER12 · 4.2%

Percentages are the share of the 284 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

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

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V305000 · 2004 · reported 06/24/2004

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED. 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

“RECALL 99V325000 WORK WAS CORRECTED. SINCE RECALL WORK WAS DONE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASH. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER. DEALER NOTED THAT RECALL…”NHTSA complaint 871947 — filed 10/02/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“#2 CYLINDER MISFIRED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. NLM”NHTSA complaint 554350 — filed 09/05/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“OIL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED ,CAUSING ENGINE TO BLOW. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ENGINE. ALSO, CAMSHAFT/PULLEY SEPARATED FROM VEHICLE, CAUSING ENGINE FAILURE.”NHTSA complaint 868877 — filed 08/28/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

12420001085020022724200419242006131520088112010562013442015

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Kia Sportage?

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 42 of 284 NHTSA complaints (14.8%), followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (19), power train:automatic transmission (16), fuel system, gasoline (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Kia Sportage have?

284 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 27 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 14 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V325000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 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.