71 of the 558 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sportage are about the transmission — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 85,000 miles.
71
Complaints
3
Crashes
0
Fires
0
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
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 SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA complaint #10107758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
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 END.
NHTSA complaint #10104517 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND LINES
VEHICLE HAD FOUR RECALLS AND AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. RECALLS WERE ON BRAKE HOSES, FRONT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL WIRING AND MISSING LABEL. *LA WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE COILS WERE CRACKED. TRANSMISSION LINE WAS LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10051718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN
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 VACUUM CANISTER BRACKET BUT DIDN'T SEE ONE. THE CONSUMER THEREFORE BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10053707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION:FLOOR SHIFT ASSEMBLY
SUNDAY, 11-02-2003, WHILE DRIVING ON MAIN ST IN MESA, ARIZONA, OUR 1998 KIA SPORTAGE'S GEARSHIFT LEVER SNAPPED OFF IN MY HAND. I WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO THIRD GEAR AT THE TIME. THE BREAK WAS ABOUT 1 1/2 INCHES FROM FLOOR LEVEL, DOWN INSIDE THE CONSOL. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE MEDIAN WITHOUT CRASHING. MY PREGNANT WIFE AND THREE-YEAR-OLD SON WERE WITH ME IN THE VEHICLE.I CONTACTED KIA AND THE SHORT OF IT IS THAT THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY CLAIM THAT THEY DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS. I FEEL THAT THIS IS A LIFE-THREATENING DEFECT. KIA SHOULD BE VERY INTERESTED IN FINDING OUT HOW OR WHY A VEHICLE WITH NO HISTORY OF ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE THIS CRITICAL PART BREAK OFF UNEXPECTEDLY! NOT GIVING THE BRUSH-OFF! I HAVE DIGITAL PHOTOS THAT I AM WILLING TO EMAIL.
NHTSA complaint #10045439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER HAD RECALL FOR THE REAR AXLE AND BEARINGS REMEDIED IN 08/99. ACCORDING TO DEALER'S DIAGNOSTIC, THE COMPONENTS HAVE FAILED AGAIN ,AND COULD CAUSE WHEELS TO BECOME DETACHED FROM VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING.
NHTSA complaint #10027089 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE:CONSTANT VELOCITY JOINT
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.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
AFTER GETTING STUCK IN SNOW FOUND THAT 4 WHEEL DRIVE WASN'T ENGAGING - MECHANIC SAID DUE TO SOMEONE OVER PACKING COMPONENTS WITH GREASE AND A PART PUT IN BACKWARDS THERE WAS NO WAY THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ENGAGING. SO ESSENTIALLY WE HAVEN'T HAD 4 WHEEL DRIVE SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE IN 2000. AFTER THE PART WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY 4WD WAS ENGAGING. MAY 16TH BROUGHT IN VEHICLE DUE TO GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT WHEEL HUB. MECHANIC FOUND 4WD HUB RUST FILLED AND BAD, BEARINGS ALL RUSTED OUT, VACUUM HOSES TO THE BACK OF THE SPINDLE BROKEN BOTH SIDES. BOTH FRONT WHEELS HAD SAME PROBLEM. IN CHECKING YOUR COMPLAINTS ON FILE THERE ARE MANY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME YEAR AND VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10018951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
AFTER GETTING STUCK IN SNOW FOUND THAT 4 WHEEL DRIVE WASN'T ENGAGING - MECHANIC SAID DUE TO SOMEONE OVER PACKING COMPONENTS WITH GREASE AND A PART PUT IN BACKWARDS THERE WAS NO WAY THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS ENGAGING. SO ESSENTIALLY WE HAVEN'T HAD 4 WHEEL DRIVE SINCE WE PURCHASED OUR VEHICLE IN 2000. AFTER THE PART WAS INSTALLED PROPERLY 4WD WAS ENGAGING. MAY 16TH BROUGHT IN VEHICLE DUE TO GRINDING NOISE IN FRONT WHEEL HUB. MECHANIC FOUND 4WD HUB RUST FILLED AND BAD, BEARINGS ALL RUSTED OUT, VACUUM HOSES TO THE BACK OF THE SPINDLE BROKEN BOTH SIDES. BOTH FRONT WHEELS HAD SAME PROBLEM. IN CHECKING YOUR COMPLAINTS ON FILE THERE ARE MANY FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME YEAR AND VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10018951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DID WORK AND REAR THE BRAKES WERE NOT IN LINE.
NHTSA complaint #10014862 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT HOLD WHILE DRIVING UP A HILL, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SPIN.
NHTSA complaint #10006912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:TRANSFER CASE (4-WHEEL DRIVE)
THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOES NO ENGAGE WHEN PUT IN GEAR. TOOK TO DEALER WHO INSTALLED SOME TYPE OF CHILD SAFETY DEVICE UNDER THE CLUTCH. PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10002439 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
WHILE DRIVING, 4 WHEEL DRIVE WILL KICK IN INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN TO DEALER NUMEROUS TIMES, CANNOT FIND CAUSE. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THE CATALYST HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS AN OIL LEAK AND FRONT END WAS SERVICED 3 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #8010449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION JUMPS OUT OF GEAR. THE SHIFTER JUMPS FROM DRIVE TO NEUTRAL WHEN VEHICLE ACCELERATES. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.
NHTSA complaint #8004712 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
4-WHEEL DRIVE FAILED TWICE WITHIN A 1 YEAR TIME SPAN DURING SNOWSTORMS! IT WAS "REPAIRED"THE FIRST TIME BUT FAILED AGAIN LESS THAN 1 YEAR LATER.BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED DURING DEEP SNOW CONDITIONS,THUSLY MAKING DRIVING IMPOSSIBLE AND CREATING A POTENTIAL FOR HAZARDOUS AND POSSIBLE FATAL CONDITIONS.I AM BRINGING THE VEHICLE IN TODAY(01/15/2002) TO KIA OF WESTCHESTER TO BE DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRS.PLEASE,CONTACT SAID DEALERSHIP TO INSURE THAT THE VEHICLE GETS REPAIRED PROPERLY AND IN A EXPEDITIOUS MANNER.ALSO,I LOST 2 DAYS OF SALARY BECAUSE I WAS UNABLE TO MAKE IT HOME(I WAS IN PA VISITING MY ILL FATHER) BECAUSE OF 1-FOOT OF SNOW AND UNABLE TO ENGAGE 4-WHEEL DRIVE!
NHTSA complaint #756881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
I CAN SEND YOU A EMAIL I SENT TO CHANNEL 7 OUT HERE IN DENVER COLO. NO SAFETY DEFECT STATED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #755608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
THE 4-WHEEL DRIVE MALFUNCTIONS, IT APPEARS TO BE ENGAGED WHEN IT REALLY IS NOT.
NHTSA complaint #785782 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TRANSMISSION FAILURES AND REPLACEMENTS FROM 11/26/99 AT 19,790 MILES/ 12/28/99 AT 21,156 MILES, TO PRESENT. ALL REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE BY A DEALER. BUT, PROBLEM STILL APPEARS TO BE REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #897553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
CONTINUATION PART 3...VERY SLOWLY, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE CRUNCHING OR GRINDING METAL ON METAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN (NOT THE BRAKES), THE WAS A HORRIBLE GROAN SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE HUBS ON THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER BEING OUT OF SERVICE FOR 8 CONSECUTIVE DAYS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DUPLICATED EACH AND EVERY CONCERN AND ADDRESSED THEM ALL. EXACTLY 1 WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED ON ME AT THE MALL. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD TO GET THE BATTERY BOOSTED SINCE SOMETHING THAT THE DEALER DID ELECTRICALLY WAS IMPROPER. I MADE IT BACK HOME BUT WAS UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT I COULD MAKE IT TO WORK THE NEXT DAY WITH A WEAL BATTERY. SURE ENOUGH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START IN THE MORNING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO MY HOUSE TO PICK UP THIS LEMON. AFTER ANOTHER 5 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE, I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A BAD ENGINE HARNESS IN THE VEHICLE. EXACTLY 2 DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL, THE WINDOWS STARTED MOVING SLOW AGAIN, THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD THE METAL ON METAL NOISE AGAIN, THE GROAN NOISE HAD COME BACK, THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER GOING UP THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE. FEELING LIKE THERE WAS NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE TO ME, I SENT KIA A LETTER ASKING FOR A BUYBACK AS WELL AS ALL OF MY REPAIR INVOICES AND ALL THEY DID WAS OFF TO PAY ONE OF MY CAR NOTES AND TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. I DECLINED THEIR OFFER TO PAY 1 CAR NOTE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT STAYED FOR 16 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. AGAIN, ALL CONCERNS WERE DUPLICATED AND ADDRESSED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AS THEY USUALLY DID WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #752477 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
CONSUMER STATES WHILE TRAVELING BETWEEN 20 AND 30 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE WAS CUT OFF BY A ANOTHER DRIVER . CONSUMER STATES THIS CAUSED CONSUMER TO HIT THE BACK OF A BUS. CONSUMER STATES WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. CONSUMER HIT THE BACK OF A BUS BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD STOP. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #896094 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
ALL FOUR WINDOWS GET STUCK, DOORS LOCK AND UNLOCK BY THEMSELVES, VEHICLE IS TRYING TO SHIFT INTO 4X4 WHILE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, AIR CONDITIONER WORKS 1 OUT OF 4 TIMES, LATCH OPENS ON BACK OF VEHICLE WHILE IN MOTION. BLACK TARRY DUST ON FRONT TIRES.
NHTSA complaint #748607 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
4 WHEEL DRIVE NOT WORKING FOR SOMETIME DURING WINTER STORM- REPLACED BOTH FRONT KNUCKLE ASSEMBLY.
NHTSA complaint #744039 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
OVER ALL 4 WHEEL DRIVE DOSEN'T SEEM TO WORK WHEN INDICATOR LIGHT SHOWS THAT IT IS ON.
NHTSA complaint #744065 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP HAS WORKED ON VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 1998, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR, HEAD GASKET, WIRING HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON OR DEFECTIVE.
NHTSA complaint #885013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE HUBS
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.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
FUEL TANK SENSOR WENT OUT IN VEHICLE 7 DIFFERENT TIMES. DOOR HANDLE ON PASSENGER'S SIDE HAD CAME OFF TWICE. 4-WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT WORK WHEN USING IT. TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIRS. WAS INFORMED THAT FUEL TANK SHOULD NOT BE FILLED COMPLETELY. WILL BE LOOKING AT THE OTHER PROBLEMS FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #884498 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
4- WHELL DRIVE UNIT POPS OUT OR WON'T GO INTO 4- WHEEL DRIVE. DEALER HAS HAD VEHICLE 4 TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #882493 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE MODE WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN IT IS ACTIVATED. CONSUMER HAS NOT SPOKEN WITH KIA ABOUT THIS.
NHTSA complaint #880616 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT:SEAL
4-WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM HAS GONE OUT DUE TO FRONT AXLE SEALS LEAKING. DEALER SAID PARTS WERE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. UNKNOWN WHEN PARTS WOULD BE AVAILABLE. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #879507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.