1998 Kia Sportage problems & reliability
303 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 1998 Kia Sportage, alongside 1 safety recall campaign. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Complaints are unverified reports submitted by owners to the federal Office of Defects Investigation.
Each complaint is counted once (by NHTSA case number), even when it names several vehicles.
7 complaints report injuries (9 injured).
Most reported problems
| Component | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling → | 79 | 26% |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic → | 70 | 23% |
| Power Train → | 63 | 21% |
| Electrical System → | 47 | 16% |
| Visibility → | 27 | 9% |
| Structure → | 26 | 9% |
| Suspension → | 26 | 9% |
| Unknown OR Other | 24 | 8% |
| Equipment → | 19 | 6% |
| Fuel System, Gasoline → | 18 | 6% |
Component groups as classified by NHTSA. A complaint can name more than one component, so shares may sum to more than 100%.
Common symptoms owners describe
Keyword analysis of complaint narratives; one complaint can describe several symptoms.
Mileage when problems occurred
Half of the failures with a reported odometer reading occurred by 80,000 miles (middle 50% between 62,669 and 101,000 miles), based on 34 complaints that included mileage.
Complaints by incident year
What owners report
“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…”
Unknown OR Other · filed Oct 10, 2015
“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…”
Suspension · filed Aug 14, 2014
“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…”
Seat Belts · filed Jun 28, 2013
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Federal defect investigations
- FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Engineering Analysis EA06007 · opened May 9, 2006 · closed Nov 30, 2007
- ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL
Recall Query RQ02013 · opened Oct 18, 2002 · closed Sep 2, 2003 · led to recall 99V325000
- SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Preliminary Evaluation PE02051 · opened Jun 17, 2002 · closed Sep 20, 2002 · led to recall 02V216000
- TURN SIGHAL
Engineering Analysis EA00018 · opened Jun 29, 2000 · closed Jul 29, 2002 · led to recall 02V207000
- TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD
Preliminary Evaluation PE00004 · opened Jan 13, 2000 · closed Jun 29, 2000
- WINDSHIELD WIPER
Preliminary Evaluation PE99033 · opened May 6, 1999 · closed Oct 21, 1999 · led to recall 99V271000
Technical service bulletins
12 manufacturer communications (TSBs, service campaigns, warranty extensions) are on file with NHTSA for the 1998 Kia Sportage. The 10 most recent:
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in…
TSB_BOD055_R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 13, 2021
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 2018
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one…
TSB-GEN085R1 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 18, 2017
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are…
TSB-GEN085 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 4, 2016
Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia models. *pe
KT-2008082201 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 28, 2008
Fuel tank replacement under repair benefit program. On certain 1997-2000 sportages. *nj
014 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2008
Fuel pump relays & emissions failures. Kia technician times. *tt
76 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004
Recall campaign 027 to replace front seat belt buckles. Notification letter to dealers. *tt
027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 6, 2002
This bulletin provided information related to recall campaign 027 to replace the front seat belt buckles. *tt
027 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2002
This bulletin provides information on a change to the sportage 4wd hub seals. *tt
007R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2001
TSBs are repair guidance manufacturers send to dealers — they are not recalls and repairs are not automatically free. Full documents are available on NHTSA’s site.
Safety recalls
The 1998 Kia Sportage has 1 NHTSA recall campaign — recall repairs are free at franchised dealers regardless of the vehicle’s age.
Check whether your specific vehicle is affected
Recall campaigns often cover only certain VIN ranges. Enter your VIN on the official NHTSA site to confirm whether your vehicle is included and whether the repair is still open.
Check VIN on NHTSA →Buying a used 1998 Kia Sportage?
- · Decode the seller’s VIN with our free VIN decoder to confirm the exact year, engine and trim.
- · Check for unrepaired recalls by VIN on NHTSA’s official lookup — recall repairs are free.
- · Owners most often reported problems around 80,000 miles — budget accordingly if the car is approaching that mileage.