FaultScore

1998 KIA Sportage brake problems

82 of the 558 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sportage are about the braking system — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 73,000 miles.

C

82

Complaints

5

Crashes

1

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Foundation Components 21 25.6%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 15 18.3%
Disc 15 18.3%
Rotor 11 13.4%
Master Cylinder 4 4.9%
Hoses, Lines/Piping, AND Fittings 4 4.9%
Caliper 3 3.7%
Pads 2 2.4%
Drum 2 2.4%
Pedals AND Linkages 1 1.2%

Brakes across every KIA Sportage year

1996 23 3.9%
1997 20 3.4%
1998 82 14.0%
1999 48 8.2%
2000 61 10.4%
2001 27 4.6%
2002 26 4.4%
2006 10 1.7%
2007 12 2.0%
2008 23 3.9%
2009 16 2.7%
2011 25 4.3%
2012 11 1.9%
2013 25 4.3%
2014 24 4.1%
2015 31 5.3%
2016 38 6.5%
2017 26 4.4%
2018 11 1.9%
2020 12 2.0%
2023 35 6.0%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 73,000 miles Woodbridge, VA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

THE ABS ON MY VEHICLE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CALLED KIA USA, WHO COULD OFFER NO HELP. BECAUSE THE ABS IS NOT ALWAYS RELIABLE, THE BRAKING CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY UNRELIABLE. ON 2 DECEMBER THE ABS SYSTEM SUDDENLY BECAME OPERATIONAL, CAUSING THE "FEEL" OF THE PEDAL TO CHANGE, STARTLING THE DRIVER, WHO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AND NARROWLY MISSED A TREE.

NHTSA complaint #10144405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palatine, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH AND WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES A THUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEEL.CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED WHEEL BEARING.

NHTSA complaint #10064650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 51,000 miles Chelsea, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE CAR BACK WAS BECAUSE THE ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND I HAD A OIL LEAKAGE IN THE ENGINE. CAR STARTED TO SHAKE EVEN AFTER IT WAS HOT AND MADE A WEIRD NOISE IN THE ENGINE. THE MOTOR RR WINDOW WAS NOT WORKING AND THE BRAKES WERE MAKING SOME WEIRD NOISE. BROUGHT TO THE DEALER TO FIX AND HE SENT IT TO KIA FOR REPAIR, THE KIA CREW FOUND THE FRONT CALIPER FROZEN, BUT THE CUSTOMER DENIED TO FIX IT. SO I BROUGHT IT TO A SPECIALIST TO CHECK DOUBLE CHECK THE CAR. THEY FOUND THE FOLLOWING DEFECTS AND FOUND THE CAR UNSAFE (CALIPER RGT WORN, FROZEN, CALIPER HARDWARE WORN, WHEEL CYL RGT- NEW/KIT LEAKY, SHOE HARDWARE WORN, C.V. BOOT/JOINT RFO/RFI/LFO/LFI WORN, COIL SPRINGS FRONT BROKEN RR BROKEN, BALL JOINTS/LOWER L WORN). I SPOKE WITH THE DEALER BECAUSE I STILL HAD WARRANTY AND TOLD HIM I DIDN'T WANT THE CAR IT WAS GIVING ME HARD TIMES ALREADY AND ONLY HAVING IT AT THAT TIME FOR NOT EVEN A MONTH. AS I WOULD DRIVE I WOULD HAVE TO RELEASE THE GAS, BECAUSE IT WOULD START TO SHAKE AND FELT AS IF IT WAS GOING TO SHUT OFF. *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****760758

NHTSA complaint #10009850 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 92,000 miles Dorchester, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DID WORK AND REAR THE BRAKES WERE NOT IN LINE.

NHTSA complaint #10014862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palos Hills, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

I HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE KIA WHEN REPORTING PROBLEMS STATED THEY SAID CONTACT DEALER BUT NEVER ASSIST ME WITH WORKING WITH DEALER. ONCE THEY SELL ME THE VEHICLE ITS MY PROBLEM AND WORK IT OUT WITH DEALER. I FEEL WHEN THE AXLE CRACKS ALMOST CAUSING A ACCIDENT AND BRAKES FAIL. ALSO SENSORS FAIL CAUSING LOST OF POWER WOULD THIS NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUES AND BE OF A BIG CONCERN TO KIA. DT

NHTSA complaint #769340 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Helena, MT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8011436 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ Crash

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

AFTER PUTTING VEHICLE INTO PARK AND THEN PUTTING UP HAND BRAKE VEHICLE STARTED TO ACCELERATE, AND RAN THROUGH GARAGE INTO THE BASEMENT.

NHTSA complaint #8010439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sayville, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR BRAKE CLYINDER IS LEAKING BRAKE FLUID, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #8010394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Faiefield, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS

BRAKE HOSE COLLAPSED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO BE HARD TO STOP.

NHTSA complaint #8009524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pottstown, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHEN COMING TO A STOP THERES GRINDING NOISE COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT AREA OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HUB ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING. CONSUMER STATES AT 7000 MILE VEHICLE GRINDING NOISE STARTED AGAIN AND DEALER REPLACED HUB ASSEMBLY AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. NLM

NHTSA complaint #8007805 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brockton, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ROTORS WARPING, VEHICLE WILL SHAKE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA complaint #8007107 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Portland, OR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:CALIPER

WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY, THE FRONT BRAKE CALIPER MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID AND BRAKE PAD COMPLETELY FELL OFF.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THIS ALLOWED THE BRAKE PISTON TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR, THE PISTON BEGAN TO LEAK BRAKE FLUID, CONSUMER BELIEVES A DESIGN FLAW EXISTS THAT ALLOWS THE BRAKE PAD TO FALL OUT OF THE CALIPER.

NHTSA complaint #8004384 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Berkley, MA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

OXYGEN SENSOR HAS BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES AFTER ROUTINE SERVICE WAS PERFORMED.*AK CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE WIPERS WERE NOT CLEARING WINDSHIELD, WINDOWS GO UP SLOWLY, 4-WHEEL DRIVE WAS INOPERATIVE,VEHICLE WAS LOOSING POWER STEERING, DEALER REPLACED THE FAN BELT,AIR CONDITION WAS INOPERATIVE,WHEEL BEARING WERE LOOSE,WEATHERSTRIP WAS REPLACED,THE ENGINE BOGGS DOWN WHILE DRIVING, FRONT BRAKES WERE NOISY.*SLC

NHTSA complaint #8002866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. ROTORS AND PADS LAST FROM TEN TO TWELVE THOUSAND MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #899877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington, DC

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. ROTORS AND PADS LAST FROM TEN TO TWELVE THOUSAND MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.

NHTSA complaint #899877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES CHRIPPING WHILE DRIVING- REPLACED ROTORS AND PADS ON 8/10/00 FROM PRIOR APPT. ON 7/26/00 WHEN PARTS WERE ORDERED.(WAS 2ND REPLACEMENT OF ROTORS)

NHTSA complaint #744043 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

FRONT BRAKES SQEAKING- DEALER SCRAPPED OFF GLAZING BUILD UP.

NHTSA complaint #744049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Erie, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

FRONT BRAKES PULSATING- CHECK AND REPLACED FRONT ROTORS

NHTSA complaint #744054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Olympia, WA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

TOOK THE CAR IN FOR THE FIRST TIME ON 2/4/99. 2ND TIME 6/10/99. 3RD TIME 8/19/99. 4TH TIME 11/18/99. 5TH TIME 5/26/00. 6TH TIME 7/25/00. 7TH TIME 10/4/00. 8TH TIME 1/17/01. EACH TIME THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN WARPED. THEY ARE REPLACED WITH THE PADS. KIA SAID THEY WOULD NOT BUY MY CAR BACK. MY CAR NEEDS TO BE TAKEN IN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AGAIN. WHEN I SAID I WAS GOING TO FILE LEMON LAW IN DECEMBER 2000 THEY PROMISED TO REPLACED MY CAR. I'VE MISSED THE FILING WINDOW AND NOW THEY ARE TRYING TO BASICALLY SELL ME A NEW CAR. I JUST WANT MY BREAKS FIXED. I HAVE A 9 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER AND I'M VERY UPSET ABOUT MY CAR.

NHTSA complaint #743455 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Antonio, TX

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

BOTH FRONT ROTORS WORE OUT BELOW RECOMENDED SPECIFICATIONS WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BASED ON SQUEAK NOISES MADE FROM BRAKES PADS ONLY.

NHTSA complaint #885808 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

ANTI -LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER REPLACED ROTOR/ PADS AND CALIPERS THREE TIMES ALREADY. WHEN THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE THERE WAS 1300 MILES ON VEHICLE .

NHTSA complaint #885322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

SAN Diego, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

ANTI -LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER REPLACED ROTOR/ PADS AND CALIPERS THREE TIMES ALREADY. WHEN THIS WORK HAS BEEN DONE THERE WAS 1300 MILES ON VEHICLE .

NHTSA complaint #885322 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Terryville, CT

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

I AM A KIA TECH IN CT . THE 1998 AND 1999 SPORTAGE WAS RECALLED TO HAVE THE STEERING KNUCLES REPLACED.THE FOUR WHEELDRIVE VACUM HUBS WOULD SUCK WATER AND DIRT INTO THE WHEELBEARINGS CAUSING THEM TO FAIL.IN SOME CASES I HAVE SEEN THE BEARINGS WERE SO LOOSE THE VEHICLES WOULD LOSE THERE BRAKES. THE RECALL KITS WE HAVE INSTALLED ARE NOW FAILING IN GREAT NUMBERS AND ARE NOT JUST 98 AND 99 VEHICLS BUT 2000 AND 2001 VEHICLES.ALL OF THESE MODEL YEAR VEHICLES SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE PEOPLE GET HURT.

NHTSA complaint #742760 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bristol, PA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

WOULD APPLY BRAKES AND THEY FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. BRAKES KEPT WEARING OUT EXCESSIVELY. WOULD HAVE BRAKES REPLACED, BUT PROBLEM KEPT REAPPEARING. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE BACK TO MECHANIC TO INSPECT.

NHTSA complaint #881727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sacramento, CA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

I WAS FORCED TO SLAM ON MY BRAKES TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I DID THE RIGHT FRONT BRAKE LOCKED UP AND THE CAR MADE A VIOLENT SKID AND TURN TO THE RIGHT . I LET OFF OF THE BRAKES AND LET THE CAR CORRECT IT'S SLIDE. WHEN I DID IT MADE SEVERAL VERY NOTICABLE THUMPS IN THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE. WHEN I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN THERE WAS NO BRAKE AND THE PEADAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. I WENT AND BOUGHT A NEW SET OF FRONT DISK BRAKE PADS TODAY AND STARTED TO DO A BRAKE JOB. WHEN I REMOVED THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE THERE WAS NO PAD ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE ROTOR. THE CALIPER ASSEMBLY HAD BEEN RIDING ON THE ROTOR CAUSING EXTENSIVE WEAR IN ONLY A VERY FEW SHORT MILES. I HAD A FRIEND COME AND EXAMINE THE BRAKES TO VERIFY WHAT I WAS SEEING. HE CONFIRMED ALSO. THERE WAS NO PAD ON THE OUTSIDE. IT WAS EITHER MANUFACTURED WITH THIS PAD MISSING OR IT FELL OUT WHEN I SLAMMED ON THE BRAKES. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO CONTACT ME IF THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE OR YOU THINK I COULD BE MISTAKEN.

NHTSA complaint #739183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Inwood, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

BRAKE FAILURE. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #556790 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Martins FE, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

VEHICLE HAS CONSTANT, ANNOYING BRAKE NOISE. SERVICE MANAGER REPLACED ALL THE ROTORS, BOTH FRONT AND REAR, CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS ROUTINE MAINTENACE AT UNDER 10,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #782524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Midlothian, IL

PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL

IM NOT HAPPY THAT I BOUGHT A NEW CAR AND IT AVERAGES GOING INTO THE SHOP EVERY 6-8 WEEKS. I CANT AFFORD THIS. IM TO ARRANGE MY OWN TRANSPORTATION WHILE MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP, ITS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES FOR THE ENGINE LITE, WHEN WORK IS DONE THEY DON'T CALL AND TELL US WHAT WAS WRONG AND IT CAN BE PICKED UP, LAST TIME THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP THEY DIDNT CALL FOR OVER A WEEK TO TELL ME TO COME GET IT, I ASKED TO SPEAK WITH A MANAGER AND LEFT SEVERAL MESSAGES AND THEY STILL HAVENT CALLED. I WIL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN OR BUY FROM ANY RIZZA. I FEEL LIKE I BOUGHT JUNK, I WANT MY MONEY BACK, TAKE THE CAR. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN THE PROCESS AT WEBSITE 100% I HATE KIA. THANK YOUL

NHTSA complaint #730942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Severn, MD

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC

NO SUMMARY

NHTSA complaint #729807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bartlett, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR

I HAVE HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BOTH - DEALER STATES THAT THIS IS THE MANUFACTURES PROBLEM THAT THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING FOR US - HELP!!! RECALL THE BRAKES AND ROTOR MANUFACTURING FOR THE KIA SPORTAGES -

NHTSA complaint #725616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 KIA Sportage problems

← Full 1998 KIA Sportage report