1998 KIA Sportage Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 63 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 1998 KIA Sportage, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 86,838 miles.
- 63power train complaints
- 86,838median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 20%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 6 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 63 complaints, 3 mention a crash.
KIA Sportage power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 6 | 11% | 10,750 |
| 2024 Sportage | 3 | 4% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 19 | 10% | 21,638 |
| 2022 Sportage | 3 | 7% | 60,000 |
| 2021 Sportage | 4 | 7% | 10,000 |
| 2020 Sportage | 3 | 2% | 19,019 |
| 2019 Sportage | 7 | 10% | 7,000 |
| 2018 Sportage | 18 | 11% | 39,500 |
| 2017 Sportage | 41 | 10% | 37,000 |
| 2016 Sportage | 8 | 6% | 145,000 |
| 2015 Sportage | 6 | 4% | 65,091 |
| 2014 Sportage | 4 | 3% | 84,000 |
| 2013 Sportage | 18 | 5% | 89,000 |
| 2012 Sportage | 21 | 5% | 83,000 |
| 2011 Sportage | 23 | 13% | 63,909 |
| 2010 Sportage | 2 | 10% | 116,310 |
| 2009 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 75,000 |
| 2008 Sportage | 12 | 12% | 24,900 |
| 2007 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 69,000 |
| 2006 Sportage | 6 | 5% | 146,400 |
| 2005 Sportage | 1 | 1% | 65,311 |
| 2002 Sportage | 23 | 10% | 55,500 |
| 2001 Sportage | 22 | 10% | 45,000 |
| 2000 Sportage | 41 | 13% | 42,734 |
| 1999 Sportage | 57 | 20% | 67,500 |
| 1998 Sportage | 63 | 21% | 86,838 |
| 1997 Sportage | 25 | 14% | 64,659 |
| 1996 Sportage | 11 | 19% | — |
| 1995 Sportage | 4 | 7% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the 1998 KIA Sportage. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The 4wd system on the 98 kia sportage is unreliable. The vacuum system, which actuates the front hubs does not work. I have had the vehicle in for this problem every winter since i purchased the vehicle in 1998. The dealers repair lasts a week or so and then fails. Unexpected lack of 4wd is a…
Driving uphill in one inch of snow the axel hubs on the front of vehicle did not engage causing the loss of control of the steering, sliding sideways and backwards to a stop. The parts replaced were as follows: axel hub seals, axel bearings, upper ball joint, vacuum line and realignment of front…
The vehicles 4-wheel drive engaged sometimes then popped out causing a loud noise. The consumer found out about a hub seal recall and inquired about it at the dealer . The dealer indicated that the recall was performed by the manufacturer. The consumer looked under the hood for a red mark on the…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 KIA Sportages have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 63 owner complaints about power train for the 1998 KIA Sportage (21% of the 303 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1998 KIA Sportage power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 86,838 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
Other 1998 KIA Sportage problems
See all 1998 KIA Sportage problems or power train problems across all Sportage years.