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 category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
39 · 21.5%
Investigation closed
RQ02013 → recall 99V325000
Air Bags:frontal
21 · 11.6%
No official action
—
Vehicle Speed Control
20 · 11%
No official action
—
Air Bags
14 · 7.7%
No official action
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
9 · 5%
No official action
—
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
9 · 5%
Investigation closed
EA06007
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.
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.
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
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 itPark 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
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.
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