1997 KIA SPORTAGE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
299
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
1
Investigation
Overview of the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
The 1997 KIA SPORTAGE has received a total of 299 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (39 complaints), Air Bagsfrontal (21 complaints), and Vehicle Speed Control (20 complaints).
Recalls for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE, potentially affecting up to 290,185 vehicles.
Recall 02V216000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 189,706 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
View full details →Recall 99V325000 — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
| 76,986 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE C123 AND C124 CONNECTORS CAN BE PUT UNDER TENSION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THUS PULLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, LOOSENING THEM AND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CLIPS TO LOCK THE CONNECTORS TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SOLDER A SPLICE IN THE WIRE HARNESS.
View full details →Recall 97V234000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
| 23,493 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
299 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE, STATIONARY IN A PARKING LOT TALKING WITH MY WIFE, THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED.
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY, THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UNEXPECTEDLY WHILE THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE OCCUPIED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO KIA OF WILMINGTON (1603 PENNSYLVANIA AVE, WILMINGTON, DE 19806, (302) 656-3100) WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD TO DIAGNOSED WHY THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,620. *BP*JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING OR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD OPEN A CASE FOR THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.
WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN APPROXIMATELY AT 55MPH ENGINE WILL STALL. SLOW DOWN AND STOP WITHOUT WARNING. MOST OF THE TIME I CAN TURN ENGINE OFF RESTART RUN IT THRU ALL OF THE GEARS AND IT WILL BE FINE FOR AWHILE UNLESS ON BUMPY ROAD OR STOP WARNING BUMPS IN THE ROAD. I CAN NOT FILL GAS TANK UP DUE TO IT LEAKING OUT UNDER VEHICLE REFRASE THAT POUR OUT. IT WILL ALSO VIBRATE REALLY BAD AFTER BEING DROVE FOR OVER 2 HOURS STRAIGHT. PLEASE HELP ME TO RESOLVE THESE PROBLEMS BEFORE IT CAUSES A INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
Kia America, Inc. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
33000003 — STEERING:LINKAGES:KNUCKLE:SPINDLE:ARM
SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING KNUCKLE REPLACEMENT. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has opened 1 investigation into potential safety defects in the 1997 KIA SPORTAGE.
Other Model Years of the KIA SPORTAGE
- 1995 KIA SPORTAGE — 88 complaints
- 1996 KIA SPORTAGE — 98 complaints
- 1997 KIA SPORTAGE (current)
- 1998 KIA SPORTAGE — 558 complaints
- 1999 KIA SPORTAGE — 493 complaints
- 2000 KIA SPORTAGE — 462 complaints
- 2001 KIA SPORTAGE — 354 complaints
- 2002 KIA SPORTAGE — 321 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints