1998 KIA SPORTAGE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
558
Owner Complaints
5
Recalls
1
Service Bulletin
3
Investigations
Overview of the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
The 1998 KIA SPORTAGE has received a total of 558 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 5 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. 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 (47 complaints), Unknown Or Other (24 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components (21 complaints).
Recalls for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has recorded 5 recalls for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE, potentially affecting up to 365,158 vehicles.
Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
| 42,540 vehicles affected
Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
View full details →Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING
| 16,270 vehicles affected
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
View full details →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 98V222000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
| 39,656 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
558 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
RIGHT REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY STABLIZER RUSTED OFF FRAME
MY STEERING COLUMN DOESN'T LOCK WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IT HAS ALSO STARTED FAILING TO START BUT WHEN WE JUMPSTART IT IT RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE LEARNED; THAT SOMETIMES IF I ROCK IT OR PUSH IT A FEW FEET IT WILL START RIGHT UP TOO. IT ACTS ALMOST LIKE A VAPOR LOCK BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS WARM AND JUST DOESN'T START AFTER HAVING SET FOR AN HOUR. ALMOST LIKE A SHORT OR DISCONNECT. ADDITIONALLY THE BLOWER MOTOR SEEMS TO HAVE DIED TOO. HEAT/AC WORKS, JUST DOESN'T DISTRIBUTE. I'M WONDERING IF THERE'S A RECALL ON EITHER OF THESE SINCE THEY SEEM TO BE ELECTRICAL OR WIRING HARNESS ISSUES.
REAR FRAME RUST/ROT IS INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE. NOTICED TODAY WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. REAR CROSS MEMBER IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. VISIBLE DETERIORATION HAPPENED QUICKLY. PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2012 THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROT ON THE FRAME. NOW I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, OR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, THE INTEGRITY OF THE SQUARE TUBE FRAME IS COMPROMISED TO THE POINT THAT SAFETY IN A REAR END COLLISION IS IN QUESTION, ANY KIND OF TRAILER LOAD WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND UNSAFE. REALLY A DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. *TR
REAR FRAME RUST/ROT IS INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE. NOTICED TODAY WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. REAR CROSS MEMBER IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. VISIBLE DETERIORATION HAPPENED QUICKLY. PURCHASING THE CAR IN 2012 THERE WAS NO SIGN OF ROT ON THE FRAME. NOW I FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE DRIVING THE CAR, OR SELLING IT TO SOMEONE ELSE FOR THAT MATTER. AS A MECHANICAL ENGINEER, THE INTEGRITY OF THE SQUARE TUBE FRAME IS COMPROMISED TO THE POINT THAT SAFETY IN A REAR END COLLISION IS IN QUESTION, ANY KIND OF TRAILER LOAD WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE AND UNSAFE. REALLY A DANGER TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC BECAUSE IT COULD FAIL AT ANY TIME. *TR
I CANNOT FASTEN MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT EXTEND. I WENT TO POWER KIA IN SALEM, OR AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS I PAY FOR REPAIRS. SEEING HOW THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL THE MANUFACTURE SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS, ESPECIALLY BECAUSE IT IS THE LAW TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELTS. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT TO DO. *TR
View all Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
Kia America, Inc. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.
016 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
EMISSIONS RECALL CAMPAIGN: MANIFOLD CATALYTIC CONVERTER REPLACEMENT. *TT
NHTSA Investigations for the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has opened 3 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1998 KIA SPORTAGE.
Other Model Years of the KIA SPORTAGE
- 1995 KIA SPORTAGE — 88 complaints
- 1996 KIA SPORTAGE — 98 complaints
- 1997 KIA SPORTAGE — 299 complaints
- 1998 KIA SPORTAGE (current)
- 1999 KIA SPORTAGE — 493 complaints
- 2000 KIA SPORTAGE — 462 complaints
- 2001 KIA SPORTAGE — 354 complaints
- 2002 KIA SPORTAGE — 321 complaints
- 2003 KIA SPORTAGE — 4 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