CarModelProblems.com

1997 Kia Sportage Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 1.7× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
181Complaints
3Recalls
32Crashes
5Fires
24Injured
1Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (21.5% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that closed with a recall campaign (99V325000).

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 1.7× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline39 · 21.5%Investigation closedRQ02013 → recall 99V325000
Air Bags:frontal21 · 11.6%No official action
Vehicle Speed Control20 · 11%No official action
Air Bags14 · 7.7%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip9 · 5%No official action
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly9 · 5%Investigation closedEA06007

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL21 · 11.6%
Unspecified / other16 · 8.8%
AIR BAGS14 · 7.7%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9 · 5%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY9 · 5%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION8 · 4.4%
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR8 · 4.4%
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS6 · 3.3%

Percentages are the share of the 181 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 02V216000 · 2002 · reported 08/16/2002

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Electrical System:wiring

NHTSA campaign 99V325000 · 1999 · reported 11/19/1999

THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

NHTSA campaign 97V234000 · 1997 · reported 12/17/1997

SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“CONSUMER RECEIVED MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 9764. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS, BUT STALLING BEGAN AGAIN. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM STOPPED WORKING WHICH CAUSED THE HORN…”NHTSA complaint 862131 — filed 05/18/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHILE DRIVING ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WITHOUT ANY WARNING. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.”NHTSA complaint 861139 — filed 04/28/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“THE VEHICLE IS CUTTING OFF IN RIGHT TURNS. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE VEHICLE FOR THIS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER I HAVE TAKEN THE…”NHTSA complaint 721706 — filed 04/20/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

13199753661999701720013110200317102005232008122014312019

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Kia Sportage?

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 39 of 181 NHTSA complaints (21.5%), followed by air bags:frontal (21), vehicle speed control (20), unspecified/other issues (16). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Kia Sportage have?

181 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 32 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 24 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Kia Sportage have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 02V216000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Kia Sportage's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.