1997 KIA Sportage Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Sportage years
- More complaints than other years 10th of 31 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 181 complaints with NHTSA about the 1997 KIA Sportage. That ranks 10th out of 31 Sportage model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (56 complaints, 31%), typically at around 104,000 miles. Complaints mention 32 crashes, 5 fires, 24 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 4 defect investigations involving it.
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- 181owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 4NHTSA investigations
- 32complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 1997 KIA Sportage problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 56 | 31% | 104,000 | “engine check” (9%) | — |
| Air Bags | 39 | 22% | 100,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 25 | 14% | 64,659 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 22 | 12% | 60,000 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 21 | 12% | 60,500 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 19 | 10% | 52,575 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 16 | 9% | 111,186 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 16 | 9% | — | — | — |
| Structure | 10 | 6% | — | — | — |
| Visibility | 9 | 5% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 7 | 4% | 52,025 | — | — |
| Suspension | 7 | 4% | 38,037 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 6 | 3% | 89,500 | — | — |
| Steering | 6 | 3% | — | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 3% | 119,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 4 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 3 | 2% | — | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
| Seats | 1 | 1% | — | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
1997 KIA Sportage recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Electrical system:wiring
Problem: 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.
Risk: This condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.
Risk: Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.
Fix: Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Fuel tank leakage (EA06007) — opened May 9, 2006, closed Nov 30, 2007.
- Engine stalling post-recall (RQ02013) — opened Oct 18, 2002, closed Sep 2, 2003, led to recall 99V325000.
- Safety belt buckle malfunction (PE02051) — opened Jun 17, 2002, closed Sep 20, 2002, led to recall 02V216000.
- Check engine light stays on (SQ99021) — opened Jun 30, 1999, closed Feb 2, 2000, led to recall 99V325000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
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, [redacted]) WHERE THE…
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…
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…
Other KIA Sportage years
← 1996 Sportage · 1998 Sportage →
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 Sportage | 27 | 1 |
| 2025 Sportage | 54 | 1 |
| 2024 Sportage | 73 | 3 |
| 2023 Sportage | 192 | 6 |
| 2022 Sportage | 46 | 1 |
| 2021 Sportage | 54 | 2 |
| 2020 Sportage | 162 | 2 |
| 2019 Sportage | 70 | 2 |
| 2018 Sportage | 164 | 3 |
| 2017 Sportage | 401 | 4 |
| 2016 Sportage | 134 | 2 |
| 2015 Sportage | 146 | 2 |
| 2014 Sportage | 124 | 3 |
| 2013 Sportage | 381 | 3 |
| 2012 Sportage | 392 | 5 |
| 2011 Sportage | 181 | 6 |
| 2010 Sportage | 20 | 2 |
| 2009 Sportage | 80 | 3 |
| 2008 Sportage | 98 | 3 |
| 2007 Sportage | 77 | 2 |
| 2006 Sportage | 111 | 1 |
| 2005 Sportage | 68 | 3 |
| 2003 Sportage | 4 | 0 |
| 2002 Sportage | 234 | 1 |
| 2001 Sportage | 228 | 0 |
| 2000 Sportage | 304 | 2 |
| 1999 Sportage | 284 | 3 |
| 1998 Sportage | 303 | 3 |
| 1997 | 181 | 3 |
| 1996 Sportage | 57 | 3 |
| 1995 Sportage | 56 | 2 |
See all KIA Sportage problems by year, every KIA model, or the KIA VIN decoder.
Similar KIA models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 1997 KIA Sportage?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, air bags, power train problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 56 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 1997 KIA Sportage?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 1997 KIA Sportage a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Sportage model years, the 1997 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.