← New search

1997 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1997 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 24 of 181 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 56 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 39 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 25 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

32 crash reports5 fire reports21 injury reports

What owners actually said

181 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 3, 1999
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. IDLE STAYS HIGH AT STOP LIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. HAS BEEN HAPPENING AT LEAST 3 TIMES A WEEK. TOOK TO DEALER & WAS INFORMED PROBLEM CAUSED BY GOING OVER BUMPS, BUT WOULD REPAIR PROBLEM. PICKED VEHICLE UP & LIGHT CAME BACK ON AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ODI #844129

Mileage unknown · Jul 26, 1999
Vehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN INTO PARK. IT DID NOT DO THIS ON 1.5 HOUR TRIP HOME. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT PARAMOUNT KIA THE NEXT DAY. HE ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE T…

Read full complaint

THE DAY BEFORE THE ACCIDENT, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT INTO NEUTRAL, AND THEN INTO PARK. IT DID NOT DO THIS ON 1.5 HOUR TRIP HOME. I CALLED THE SERVICE MANAGER AT PARAMOUNT KIA THE NEXT DAY. HE ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY SUCH PROBLEMS. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE TO THAT DEALERSHIP, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN. THE BRAKES WOULD NOT RESPOND, AND THIS TIME THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NO DISENGAGE INTO NEUTRAL. I WAS NOT ABLE TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE, AND CRASHED. I HAVE JUST BEEN MADE AWARE OF A SIMILAR INCIDENT INVOLVING A KIA SEPHIA, WHICH WAS REPORTED IN A LOCAL PAPER. THE ELDERLY DRIVER CRASHED WHEN HIS VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL. A POST FROM FENCE HE HIT IMPALED HIM IN THE CHEST.

NHTSA ODI #709170

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingUnknown Or Other

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM . ALSO VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN. DEALER CANNOT IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #842856

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT IT WAS IN NEED OF REPAIRS, FROM THE FIRST COMPLAINT AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD "OH THAT'S NORMAL FOR KIA" I HAVE TRAVELED BY TOW TRUCK MORE THAN IN MY NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TREATED AS BADLY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS BY KIA. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND FORCE KIA TO FACE UP TO THEIR RES…

Read full complaint

WHEN THIS VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN OFF THE LOT IT WAS IN NEED OF REPAIRS, FROM THE FIRST COMPLAINT AT THE DEALERSHIP I WAS TOLD "OH THAT'S NORMAL FOR KIA" I HAVE TRAVELED BY TOW TRUCK MORE THAN IN MY NEW VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN TREATED AS BADLY FROM THE DEALERSHIP AS BY KIA. SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND FORCE KIA TO FACE UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES. KIA HAS NEVER HAD TO FACE A JURY OR JUDGE IN A COURT OF LAW BECAUSE THEY SETTLE FOR LESS THAN MOST CONSUMERS HAVE PAID, I KNOW FOR I WILL BE FORCED TO SETTLE WITHOUT HELP . I REQUESTED ONLY TO GET WHAT I PAID MINUS MILEAGE YET IF I'M FORCED TO SETTLE MY LOSS WILL BE OVER $4,000. LIVES WILL BE LOST UNLESS WE ACT SOON

NHTSA ODI #708925

Mileage unknown · Jul 21, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW WE ARE VERY UPSET AT THE LACK OF CONCERN AND ASSISSTANCE FROM THE NUMEROUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES I HAVE CONTACTED, COMPLETED FORMS AND MAILED THEM, I HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED. BOTH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON & I ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED ON AN INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT 70 CARS TURNING EVERY…

Read full complaint

AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE NEW WE ARE VERY UPSET AT THE LACK OF CONCERN AND ASSISSTANCE FROM THE NUMEROUS GOVERNMENT AGENCIES I HAVE CONTACTED, COMPLETED FORMS AND MAILED THEM, I HAVE YET TO BE CONTACTED. BOTH MY 4 YEAR OLD SON & I ALMOST LOST OUR LIVES WHEN MY ENGINE STALLED ON AN INTERSTATE SPEED LIMIT 70 CARS TURNING EVERYWAY TO AVOID US, I REALLY FELT THERE WAS NO HOPE WHEN I SAW AN 18 WHEELER APPROACHING, I TURNED TO MOVE MY SON FROM THE REAR SEAT TO THE FRONT SO I COULD AT LEAST HOLD HIM, THE DRIVER SAW ME AND WHEN HE MANAGED TO STOP HIS RIG WAS JACKKNIFED AND 1 SIDE HIT THE BLOCK BARRIER. I HAVE DOCUMENTS TO PROVE THE ENGINE PROBLEMS IN 97 KIA'S CAN'T BE REPAIRED.WILL LIVES BE LOST BEFORE KIA IS HELD RESPONSIBLE? PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ODI #708920

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

AT 16,000 MILES GAS TANK HAS PREMATURELY RUSTED WHICH COULD BE DANGEROUS IF A COLLISION OCCURRED. DEALER CLAIMS THAT IT WAS DUE TO BAD FUEL. *AK *ML

NHTSA ODI #842398

Mileage unknown · Jul 2, 1999
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentStructure

CAR AT DEALER 3 DAYS, PROBLEM FIXING LOCKS, DEALER PAID FOR CAR RENTAL. *AK

NHTSA ODI #708154

Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 1999
Fuel System, Gasoline

I TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER TODAY AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT LEAK EACH TIME CAR IS STARTED THAT IF THEY CANNOT CAUSE IT TO LEAK WHILE AT DEALER, THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE AND SUSPICIOUS THAT I WAS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LEAK. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD START EVERY TWO HOU…

Read full complaint

I TOOK CAR BACK TO DEALER TODAY AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE CAR DOES NOT LEAK EACH TIME CAR IS STARTED THAT IF THEY CANNOT CAUSE IT TO LEAK WHILE AT DEALER, THAT I AM OUT OF LUCK. THE REPRESENTATIVE WAS VERY RUDE AND SUSPICIOUS THAT I WAS NOT TELLING THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LEAK. HE STATED THAT HE WOULD START EVERY TWO HOURS AND IF IT DOES NOT LEAK TOO BAD!! I ALSO NOTED THE BAD PAINT FOR THE 3RD TIME AND HE LAUGHED AT ME AND SAID "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO TELL YOU"! PLEASE ADVISE!! *AK

NHTSA ODI #707573

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 1999
Structure

DOORS UNLOCK AND RELOCK CONSTANTLY BOTH WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED. MANY VISITS TO THE DEALER...CANNOT REPAIR. POOR SERVICE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #707532

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 1999
Electrical System

SHORT IN ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, DEALER WOULD NOT REPAIR BECAUSE MILEAGE WAS 1,200 OVER WARRANTY COVERAGE OF 36,000. *AK( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P205/75/15 )

NHTSA ODI #707487

Official recalls

3

02V216000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Aug 16, 2002

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

Consequence & remedy

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.

99V325000 · Electrical System:wiring

Nov 19, 1999

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 & remedy

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.

97V234000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 17, 1997

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

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.

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

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

4

EA06007 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened May 9, 2006 · Closed Nov 30, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.REVIEW OF THE WARRANTY DATA REVEALED ELEVATED TANK LEAKAGE EXPERIENCE IN VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM JUNE 1999 TO OCTOBER 2000.ANALYSIS OF COMPLAINTS AND WARRANTY CLAIMS IDENTIFIED MULTIPLE CAUSES AND ORIGINS OF FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY LEAKAGE.THE MAJORITY OF COMPLAINTS INVOLVE NON-SPECIFIC ALLEGATIONS OF FUEL LEAKAGE WHERE MORE THAN ONE FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENT WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

RQ02013 · Engine Stalling POST-RECALL

Opened Oct 18, 2002 · Closed Sep 2, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System:wiring; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood; Engine And Engine Cooling

RQ02-013 WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF RECALL 99V-325, WHICH INVOLVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS (HARNESS).VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL POPULATION HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF A DEFECT TREND.THE MAJORITY OF RECALL REMEDY FAILURES IDENTIFIED WERE REPAIRED WITHIN ONE DAY OF THE INITIAL WORK.SUBSEQUENT FAILURE EXPERIENCE IS MINIMAL (249/55,548 VEHICLES REMEDIED).FIELD DATA SHOW NO INDICATION OF AN ONGOING CONCERN: OF 627 POST-RECALL STALLING-RELATED WIRE HARNESS WARRANTY REPAIRS, ONLY SEVEN OCCURRED IN 2003.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS SALESHAVE DECLINED SINCE 2001.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF TWELVE POTENTIALLY RELEVANT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SINCE 2001.UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED.THE RECALL QUERY IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

RQ02-013 WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF RECALL 99V-325, WHICH INVOLVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS (HARNESS).VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL POPULATION HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF A DEFECT TREND.THE MAJORITY OF RECALL REMEDY FAILURES IDENTIFIED WERE REPAIRED WITHIN ONE DAY OF THE INITIAL WORK.SUBSEQUENT FAILURE EXPERIENCE IS MINIMAL (249/55,548 VEHICLES REMEDIED).FIELD DATA SHOW NO INDICATION OF AN ONGOING CONCERN: OF 627 POST-RECALL STALLING-RELATED WIRE HARNESS WARRANTY REPAIRS, ONLY SEVEN OCCURRED IN 2003.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS SALESHAVE DECLINED SINCE 2001.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF TWELVE POTENTIALLY RELEVANT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SINCE 2001.UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED.THE RECALL QUERY IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

Electrical System:wiring

RQ02-013 WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF RECALL 99V-325, WHICH INVOLVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS (HARNESS).VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL POPULATION HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF A DEFECT TREND.THE MAJORITY OF RECALL REMEDY FAILURES IDENTIFIED WERE REPAIRED WITHIN ONE DAY OF THE INITIAL WORK.SUBSEQUENT FAILURE EXPERIENCE IS MINIMAL (249/55,548 VEHICLES REMEDIED).FIELD DATA SHOW NO INDICATION OF AN ONGOING CONCERN: OF 627 POST-RECALL STALLING-RELATED WIRE HARNESS WARRANTY REPAIRS, ONLY SEVEN OCCURRED IN 2003.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS SALESHAVE DECLINED SINCE 2001.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF TWELVE POTENTIALLY RELEVANT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SINCE 2001.UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED.THE RECALL QUERY IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

Engine And Engine Cooling

RQ02-013 WAS OPENED TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND ADEQUACY OF RECALL 99V-325, WHICH INVOLVED MODIFICATIONS TO THE ENGINE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS (HARNESS).VEHICLES PRODUCED AFTER THE RECALL POPULATION HAVE SHOWN NO SIGNS OF A DEFECT TREND.THE MAJORITY OF RECALL REMEDY FAILURES IDENTIFIED WERE REPAIRED WITHIN ONE DAY OF THE INITIAL WORK.SUBSEQUENT FAILURE EXPERIENCE IS MINIMAL (249/55,548 VEHICLES REMEDIED).FIELD DATA SHOW NO INDICATION OF AN ONGOING CONCERN: OF 627 POST-RECALL STALLING-RELATED WIRE HARNESS WARRANTY REPAIRS, ONLY SEVEN OCCURRED IN 2003.CONSUMER COMPLAINTS AND FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS SALESHAVE DECLINED SINCE 2001.ODI HAS RECEIVED A TOTAL OF TWELVE POTENTIALLY RELEVANT CONSUMER COMPLAINTS SINCE 2001.UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, FURTHER EXPENDITURE OF AGENCY RESOURCES IS NOT JUSTIFIED.THE RECALL QUERY IS THEREFORE CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IN THE FUTURE IF CIRCUMSTANCES WARRANT.

PE02051 · Safety Belt Buckle Malfunction

Opened Jun 17, 2002 · Closed Sep 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 25, 2002, KIA ADVISED NHTSA THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY KIA HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AT THIS TIME.THE SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.

SQ99021 · Check Engine Light Stays On

Opened Jun 30, 1999 · Closed Feb 2, 2000

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System

A monthly Technical Times published by Kia and distributed to dealer technicians identifying a wiring harness problem that could cause connectors C123 and C124 to pull apart slightly during engine load changes.This could lead to erratic or tempory loss

Go deeper into Kia Sportage problems