Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 1997.
Overview
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Transmission
- Manual 5-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Engine & performance
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 21 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG City
- 17 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG Comb
- 19 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $3,300EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Dimensions & capacity
- GVWR class
- Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026
Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 181 See on NHTSA
- Reported injuries
- 24
Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
02V216000 Aug 16, 2002 SEAT BELTSON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Vehicles covered (all models): 189,706
Full notice99V325000 Nov 19, 1999 ELECTRICAL SYSTEMVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES.
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE C123 AND C124 CONNECTORS CAN BE PUT UNDER TENSION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THUS PULLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, LOOSENING THEM AND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CLIPS TO LOCK THE CONNECTORS TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SOLDER A SPLICE IN THE WIRE HARNESS.
Vehicles covered (all models): 76,986
Full notice97V234000 Dec 17, 1997 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
Vehicles covered (all models): 23,493
Full noticeSource: NHTSA
Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING20%
- AIR BAGS14%
- POWER TRAIN9%
- VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL8%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8%
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC7%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 278 total.
Kia Sportage: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year
EA06007opened May 9, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
RQ02013opened Oct 18, 2002ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL
PE02051opened Jun 17, 2002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
SQ99021opened Jun 30, 1999ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.