RoadVitals

1997 Kia Sportage Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
11
Latest Apr 19, 2005
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
6%
of 181 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1997 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 19, 2005

IN MAY 5, 2003 I TOOK TO INSPECT THE CAR FOR A NOISE AT THE BACK. ITS LIKE BEING ON A PLANE FOR DEPARTURE. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BACK DIFFERENTIALS WAS DAMAGED. IT ONLY HAD 25,317 MILEAGE IN 2003. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT. THIS YEAR 2005 A INSPECT THE CAR AT WESTER AUTO I WAS TOLD THE DIFFERENTIAL IS DAMAGE. AT THE STORE I WAS TOLD THEY HAVE SEEN OTHERS KIA SPORTAGE WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALSO WHEN TO PED BOYS. ALSO, THEY SAID VERB THERE WERE PROBLEMS KIA DIFFERENTIAL. AT WESTER AUTO I CHANGE THE BACK BEARING THINKING THAT WILL FIX THE NOISE. KIA DEALER ESTIMATE THE REPAIR FOR $865 ON 2003.*AK

NHTSA ID
10118075
Incident
May 5, 2003
Mileage
25,317 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 1, 2002

CONSUMER STATES WHEN HITTING BUMP SOMETHING IS LOOSE. DEALER FOULD BROKEN PROPELLER SHAFT. *TT

NHTSA ID
565564
Incident
Oct 15, 2001
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 23, 2001
Fire reported

WHILE TRAVELING 55MPH REAR AXEL BROKE AND RIGHT REAR TIRE CAME OFF, AND WHEEL AREA CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOOK TO DEALER AND HAS BEEN REPAIRED. *AK

NHTSA ID
881209
Incident
Feb 3, 2001
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Dec 12, 2000

THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FROM THE DAY THAT I PURCHASED IT, ENGINE FAILED AND IT WAS IN SHOP FOR TWO MONTHS, TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE REAR END FAILED, THE FUEL ECONOMY SWITCH FAILED, THEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AGAIN, AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED THREE TIMES SINCE JULY, 2000. I HAVE HAD TWO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO THESE MECHANICAL FAILURES. I HAVE TRIED FOR OVER TWO YEARS TO CONTACT A KIA REPRESENATIVE BUT THEY WILL NOT RESPOND TO MY COMPLAINTS . THE DEALER IS NO HELP, THEY ONLY GIVE YOU THE DELAY GAME. I HAVE A VEHICLE THAT IS NO GOOD, IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND A DANGER TO PUT ON THE ROAD. IT CONTINUALLY HAS PROBLEMS AND I AM HAVING TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT.PLEASE HELP

NHTSA ID
737695
Driver assistanceEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 23, 1999

VEHICLE WOULD JERK. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. VEHCLE WOULD OVERHEAT & FAIL TO START. ALSO, VEHICLE HAD REVVED WHILE AT STOP LIGHT DUE TO FAST IDLE . THE PORTED PASSAGE HOLE WAS TOO SMALL. IT NEEDED TO BE WIDER ACCORDING TO MECHANIC. DRIVESHAFT BROKE TWICE IN LAST 6 MONTHS. *AK

NHTSA ID
845632
Incident
Nov 2, 1997
EngineInterior & seatsPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 21, 1999

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 ID
708920
Incident
Mar 5, 1998
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 18, 1999
Crash reported

DRIVING BETWEEN 40-45 MPH DRIVESHAFT FELL OUT, DAMAGING ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF VEHICLE GOUGING FUEL TANK IN SEVERAL PLACES. REAR END FELL LOCKING UP BRAKES AND THROWING VEHICLE INTO UNCONTROLLABLE BOUNCING FOR OVER QUARTER MILE. DRIVESHAFT FLEW INFRONT OF OTHER VEHICLES WINDSHIELD. WIFE(9 MO. PREG.) & SON IN CAR WITH ME. *AK

NHTSA ID
705742
Incident
Apr 17, 1999
EnginePowertrain (other)Suspension+2 more
Filed Feb 19, 1999

THIS VEHICLE IS GARBAGE - BOTH FRONT WINDOW MOTORS-REPLACED. TRANSMISSION REPLACED, AND IS NOW ACTING UP AGAIN. REAR-END REPLACED, ACTING UP, ENGINE SQUEALS, DEALER CAN'T HEAR IT, BURNING ANTI-FREEZE SMELL UPON WARMUP, TEMP GAUGE GOES CRAZY, IN 4WD VEHICLE DOES NOT WANT TO TURN, ONLY WANTS TO GO STRAIGHT, MAKINGS HARD "CLUNKING" NOISE IF YOU ATTEMPT TO TURN. THE YUGO WAS A BETTER VEHICLE! *AK

NHTSA ID
703509
Incident
Apr 1, 1998
ElectricalPowertrain (other)Visibility
Filed Sep 29, 1998

WIRING FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE LIGHT TO STAY ON.

NHTSA ID
541402
Incident
Feb 1, 1998
Heating & air conditioningDriver assistanceEngine+3 more
Filed May 8, 1998

INTERMITTENT STALLING.

NHTSA ID
535362
Incident
May 1, 1998
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)+2 more
Filed Nov 25, 1997

ALARM FAILED.

NHTSA ID
525379
Incident
Jul 7, 1997

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .