MYRModel Year Report

1997 Kia Sportage

◆ Worse than typical
1997 Kia Sportage
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:52:52.812Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Sportage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1997 highlighted. 1995: 56 complaints 1995 1996: 57 complaints 1997: 181 complaints 1997 1998: 303 complaints 1999: 284 complaints 1999 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 228 complaints 2002: 234 complaints 2003: 4 complaints 2003 2005: 68 complaints 2006: 111 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 80 complaints 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 392 complaints 2012 2013: 380 complaints 2014: 122 complaints 2015: 146 complaints 2016: 131 complaints 2016 2017: 399 complaints 2018: 163 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 160 complaints 2020 2021: 50 complaints 2022: 46 complaints 2023: 190 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2024 2025: 50 complaints 2026: 26 complaints 2026
1997: 181 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199556
199657
1997181
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
20034
200568
2006111
200777
200898
200980
201020
2011181
2012392
2013380
2014122
2015146
2016131
2017399
2018163
201970
2020160
202150
202246
2023190
202468
202550
202626

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 35%

35% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 63 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE
AIR BAGS 22%

22% of complaints: air bags — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING IN REVERSE, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAGS ERRONEOUSLY DEPLOYED FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND FROM UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL AREA.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130723

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT, BUT THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER AND THE OTHER VEHICLE'S DRIVER VISITED THE HOSPITAL FOR MINOR INJURIES.*AK *NM

NHTSA ODI report, 20040707

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A REAR END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040412

POWER TRAIN 15%

15% of complaints: power train — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 14%

14% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 25 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing linkages and cruise control.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING DOWN HIGHWAY WHEN APPROXIMATELY AT 55MPH ENGINE WILL STALL. SLOW DOWN AND STOP WITHOUT WARNING.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140502

Also filed under FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%

12% of complaints: electrical system — 21 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing front underhood and wiring.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

WHILE DRIVING 34 MPH SMOKE CAME FROM UNDER THE HOOD. CONSUMER PULLED OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20040608

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1997 — complaint volume: 181
R 19971215 — latches/locks/linkages

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.

Campaign 97V234000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19990630 — SQ (closed 20000202)

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON

R 20000125 — electrical system

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

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.

Campaign 99V325000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020617 — PE (closed 20020920)

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION

I 20021018 — RQ (closed 20030902)

ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL

R 20021220 — seat belts

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

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

Campaign 02V216000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060509 — EA (closed 20071130)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1997 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (63 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (39 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 97V234000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V325000 (electrical system) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V216000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1997 Kia Sportage reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1997 Kia Sportage is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Kia Sportage?

The most-reported component is engine and engine cooling, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1997 Kia Sportage have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.