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1999 Kia

Sportage 4WD

Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L

Kia Sportage: best and worst years
1999 Kia Sportage 4WD (photo 1 of 3)

Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 1999.

PhotoAlexander MiglCC BY-SA 4.0via Wikimedia Commons

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

Engine & performance

Aspiration
Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026

Efficiency

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
284 See on NHTSA
Reported injuries
14

Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year

04V305000 Jun 24, 2004 SEAT BELTSON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE…

Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Vehicles covered (all models): 251,594

Full notice
99V325000 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 notice
98V222000 Sep 15, 1998 SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE.

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.

Vehicles covered (all models): 39,656

Full notice

Source: NHTSA

Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING18%
  • POWER TRAIN13%
  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC10%
  • ELECTRICAL SYSTEM9%
  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8%
  • STRUCTURE6%

Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 449 total.

Kia Sportage: best and worst years

Federal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year

  • EA06007opened May 9, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

    FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

  • PE06002opened Jan 4, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY

    FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

  • EA04007opened Feb 27, 2004SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

    SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

  • RQ03007opened Oct 14, 2003SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

    SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

  • RQ02013opened Oct 18, 2002ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

    ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL

  • PE02002opened Jan 9, 2002VISIBILITY

    WINDSHIELD WIPER

  • EA00018opened Jun 29, 2000EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    TURN SIGHAL

  • PE00004opened Jan 13, 2000EXTERIOR LIGHTING

    TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD

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.