Owner-reported complaints naming the electrical system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 47 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.
The 25 most recent of 47, in the owner's own words
1998 KIA SPORTAGE A RECALL ABOUT THE WIRING HAS BEEN REPORTED I [XXX] HAS BEEN SUFFERING FOR TRANSPORTATION DUE TO THIS MALFUNCTION JUST NEED JUSTIFICATION A.S.A.P MY MAILING ADDRESS IS [XXX] MY PH. IS [XXX] ALSO [XXX]. THANK YOU AND HAVE A BLESSED DAY. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING AT 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. THE HOLD BUTTON ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT WHERE AN UNKNOWN REPAIR WAS MADE TO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V325000 (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: WIRING) BUT THE CONTACT DID NOT CONFIRM IF HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,835.
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED,IT STALLED ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I HAVE BASICALLY HAD THE ENTIRE MOTOR REPLACED.I WENT TO TEST DRIVE AND IT DONE THE SAME THING. IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I SEARCHED FOR RECALLS AND CAME UP WITH ONE IN THE C123 AND C124 WIRE HARNESS. I BELIEVE THIS WAS THE PROBLEM FROM THE VERY BEGINNING. *TR
I DROVE OUR SUV ABOUT 2 MILES PARKED IT IN THE GARAGE AND NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. I NOTICED THE CLOCK,RADIO, DOOR LOCKS, AND PASSENGER WINDOW WERE NOT WORKING. I DROVE THE CAR THE NEXT DAY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE TO WORK. THAN CALLED KIA TALKED TO A JANSON COOK WHO CHECKED MY VEHICLE FOR RECALL ON THIS WIRING. HE SAID MY SPORTAGE WAS NOT ON FILE FOR THE VIN# AND WOULD NOT BE FIXED UNDER THE RECALL. I CHECKED THE INTERNET AND THE 1998 SPORTAGES HAD A RECALL FOR A C123 AND C124 CABLE WHICH BECAME LOOSE AND COULD CAUSE A CRASH OR US OF MY SUV. I THAN CALLED THE NHTSA AND TALKED TO KIM SHE SAID FILE A COMPLAINT. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE FOR LONG DISTANCES MORE THE 5 MILES WITHOUT SOMETHING HAPPENING TO CAUSE ME OR SOMEONE ELSE INJURY. THE RECALL NOTICE IS 99V325000 THIS TO FIX THE LOOSE WIRING THAT CAN CAUSE SUV TO STOP COMPLETELY CAUSING INJURY OR LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL. *NM
PROBLEMS WITH HORN, STEERING WHEEL AND AIR CONDITIONER ON 1998 KIA SPORTAGE.*MR THE VEHICLE DASH LIGHTS ALSO FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. *NM
OWNER SAYS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH DAMAGED THE WIRE HARNESS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
VEHICLE HAD FOUR RECALLS AND AIRBAG LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. RECALLS WERE ON BRAKE HOSES, FRONT BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, ELECTRICAL WIRING AND MISSING LABEL. *LA WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AIR BAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE HAD FAILED. WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TOT HE DEALER WHO INDICATED THAT THE COILS WERE CRACKED. TRANSMISSION LINE WAS LEAKING. *NM
CONTINUAL FAILURE OF BATTERY , REPLACED 5 TIMES AND REPLACED ALTERNATOR BUT CONTIUES TO HAVE BATTERY FAILURE ALSO WINDOWS AND DOOR LCKS GO ON AND OFF BY THEMSELVES.*AK
WHILE DRIVING AT NORMAL SPEED INTERMITTENTLY VEHICLE WAS LOSING POWER . DEALER HAS INSPECTED VEHICLE FOUR TIMES, AND STILL PROBLEM RECURRING. *AK
RECALL 99V325000 CONCERNING STALLING. VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT INTERFERED WITH PERFORMANCE. VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRS DONE, BUT SYMPTOMS RETURNED. MANUFACTURER CLAIMED NO RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE CONSUMER WAS NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *AK CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE VEHICLE VIBRATED, SMOKED AND WAS OVERHEATING. THE LEFT FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. IGNITION COILS CRACKED AND WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE HAD A BLOWN HEAD GASKET. FRONT LEFT TURN SIGNAL CLIPS BROKE. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED. RIGHT FRONT DOOR LOCK FELL OFF. VEHICLE HAD SEVERAL PARTS ON RECALL BEFORE THE CONSUMER PURCHASED IT AND THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THOSE RECALLED PARTS WERE THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. *YH
DITTO ON ALL THE OTHER ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS LISTED AT THIS SITE. ENGINE STALLING WHILE IN MOTION, SLUGGISHNESS, EITHER REVVED UP SO HIGH YOU THINK ITS GONNA BLOW TO NOT IDLING AT ALL AND CUTTING OFF. MY LEFT TURN SIGNAL CHASSIS EVEN FLEW OFF WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE PLEASE LETS TAKE ACTION. WE DO NOT NEED A DEATH TO MAKE KIA HEAR US. WE COULD ALL SEND A CERTIFIED LETTER TO MR. PETER BUTTERFIELD, KIA MOTORS AMERICA, 9801 MUIRLANDS BLVD, IRVINE CA 92618. WE COULD REFERENCE IN RESPONSE TO HIS INTERVIEW TO AUTOMOTIVENEWS.COM ABOUT KIA WANTS TO GROW UP. IT IS WRITTEN IN THIS ARTICLE HOW HE WANTS KIA TO BE KNOWN FOR QUALITY AND SAFETY. I WANT HIM TO KNOW THAT WE CAN'T DRIVE OUR KIA'S FOR FEAR OF OUR LIVES AND NO ONE AT KIA IS RESPONDING TO OUR COMPLAINTS. HERE IS A SAMPLING OF REFERENCED ARTICLE: PETER BUTTERFIELD WANTS KIA MOTORS AMERICA INC. TO ACHIEVE TOYOTA-LEVEL QUALITY SCORES IN FIVE YEARS. HE ALSO WANTS TO EVOLVE FROM BEING A USED-VEHICLE ALTERNATIVE TO A PURCHASE LINKED IN THE CONSUMERS' MIND TO VALUE, SAFETY AND QUALITY. (END OF SAMPLE) IF HE REALLY WANTS THIS TO HAPPEN, HE WILL TAKE OUR PROBLEMS SERIOUSLY AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT THEM. LET'S MAKE SOME NOISE! THANK YOU. *AK
CONSUMER STATES SHE IS EXPERIENCING SEVERAL ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, SUCH AS THE DOORS UNLOCKING 4 TIMES PER SECOND AND THE HEATER FAN NOT OPERATING.*JB
CONTINUATION PART 3...VERY SLOWLY, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE CRUNCHING OR GRINDING METAL ON METAL NOISE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS SLOWED DOWN (NOT THE BRAKES), THE WAS A HORRIBLE GROAN SOUND WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATES ON THE FREEWAY, THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE HUBS ON THE VEHICLE, AND THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AT ANY GIVEN TIME. WHEN I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP FROM THE DEALER AFTER BEING OUT OF SERVICE FOR 8 CONSECUTIVE DAYS, THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DUPLICATED EACH AND EVERY CONCERN AND ADDRESSED THEM ALL. EXACTLY 1 WEEK LATER, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE DIED ON ME AT THE MALL. I CALLED A TOW TRUCK AND HAD TO GET THE BATTERY BOOSTED SINCE SOMETHING THAT THE DEALER DID ELECTRICALLY WAS IMPROPER. I MADE IT BACK HOME BUT WAS UNSURE WHETHER OR NOT I COULD MAKE IT TO WORK THE NEXT DAY WITH A WEAL BATTERY. SURE ENOUGH, THE VEHICLE DID NOT START IN THE MORNING. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALER, AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO MY HOUSE TO PICK UP THIS LEMON. AFTER ANOTHER 5 DAYS OUT OF SERVICE, I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A BAD ENGINE HARNESS IN THE VEHICLE. EXACTLY 2 DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON, THE VEHICLE STARTED LEAKING OIL, THE WINDOWS STARTED MOVING SLOW AGAIN, THE REAR END OF MY VEHICLE STARTED RATTLING, THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE HAD THE METAL ON METAL NOISE AGAIN, THE GROAN NOISE HAD COME BACK, THE VEHICLE HAD LOST POWER GOING UP THE SLIGHTEST INCLINE. FEELING LIKE THERE WAS NO OTHER OPTION AVAILABLE TO ME, I SENT KIA A LETTER ASKING FOR A BUYBACK AS WELL AS ALL OF MY REPAIR INVOICES AND ALL THEY DID WAS OFF TO PAY ONE OF MY CAR NOTES AND TOLD ME TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. I DECLINED THEIR OFFER TO PAY 1 CAR NOTE AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE IT STAYED FOR 16 CONSECUTIVE DAYS. AGAIN, ALL CONCERNS WERE DUPLICATED AND ADDRESSED. AFTER PICKING UP THE VEHICLE, I NOTICED THAT NONE OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS WERE COMING ON AS THEY USUALLY DID WHEN I STARTED THE VEHICLE. *AK
CONTINUATION OF COMPLAINT.... I THEN CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR RECALLS OR SERVICE CAMPAIGNS AND FOUND 3 RECALLS THAT FIT IN MY VIN RANGE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED KIA'S 800 NUMBER AND ASKED IF MY VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED AND WAS PROMPTLY TOLD NO. I BELIEVED THIS RESPONSE SINCE IT WAS COMING DIRECTLY FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND NOT THE DEALER. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER, I RECEIVED A DISTURBING CALL FROM A REPRESENTATIVE FROM KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS TELLING ME TO IMMEDIATELY STOP DRIVING THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE SAME 3 RECALLS I SAW ON THE NHTSA WEBSITE AND CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT INCLUDED MY VEHICLE. THE RECALLS WERE: BRAKE LINE RECALL-THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. ELECTRICAL WIRING- 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. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. THE THIRD RECALL WAS AN OBD LABEL. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT KIA PUT MY FAMILY AND ME IN SO MUCH DANGER BY TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE TOLD ME THAT KIA WOULD PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER VEHICLE. SINCE I KNEW THAT I COULD POSSIBLE DIE BY CONTINUING TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE, I TOOK A DAY OFF OF WORK AND TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DLR. BY THIS TIME, I HAD KEPT A TIMETABLE AND LOG OF EVERYTHING THAT HAD GONE WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND PRESENTED IT TO THE DEALER. THE LIST INCLUDED, OF COURSE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, HESITATION ON ACCELERATION, VEHICLE SHAKES SEVERELY WHEN THE WHEEL IS TURNED, THE IDLE SURGES WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED, THE REAR WINDOW DEFOGGER HAD COME OFF OF THE VEHICLE, THE RADIO HAD STARTED TO STATIC AND TURN ON LOUD EVEN WHEN IT WAS TURNED OFF, THE VOLUME KNOBS ON THE RADIO WORKED INTERMITTENTLY, THE WINDOWS ROLLED UP AND DOWN
I AM REGISTERING A COMPLAINT AGAINST KIA MOTORS, INC. BECAUSE OF THE TREMENDOUS AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS I HAVE BEEN HAVING WITH MY VEHICLE. I PURCHASED A 1998 KIA SPORTAGE ON JANUARY 17, 2000 AND IT HAD ABOUT 2600 MILES ON IT. ABOUT 2 MONTHS LATER AT 6683 MILES, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND SINCE I WAS READY FOR AN OIL CHANGE ANYWAY, I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS STILL NEW AND IN ITS "BREAKING-IN" STAGE, THE LIGHT WILL GO OFF IN A FEW DAYS. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE LIGHT DID GO OFF BUT THE VEHICLE JUST DIDN'T FEEL RIGHT. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I WAS AGAIN ADVISED THE DEALER THAT IT WILL GO OFF BY ITSELF, THIS TIME I DIDN'T TAKE THEIR WORD AND INSISTED THAT THE VEHICLE BE CHECKED OUT. THE DEALER THEN FOUND THAT A SENSOR WAS OUT. THE REPLACED THE SENSOR AND THE LIGHT WENT OUT. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND I ALSO RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR A CATALYTIC CONVERTER CONCERN. SO I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR BOTH PROBLEMS AND WAS TOLD THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS RELATED TO THE RECALL AND BOTH WILL BE TAKEN CARE OF. NEEDLESS TO SAY, THEY WEREN'T. THE SAME DAY I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE PARKING LOT, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I IMMEDIATELY MADE A U-TURN WENT BACK INTO THE SERVICE DRIVE. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE SENSOR WAS OUT AGAIN AND THE PART AS NOT IN. I WAITED FOR ABOUT 4 WEEKS UNTIL THE PART CAME IN ALL WHILE DRIVING WITH THE ENGINE LIGHT ON. THE DEALER REPLACED THE SENSOR AGAIN AND OF COURSE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. AT THIS TIME, I WAS ABOUT TO GO INSANE ABOUT THIS NAGGING PROBLEM THAT EITHER THE DEALER COULD NOT FIX OR THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE FIXED. I DID NOT TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER FOR BECAUSE I HAD JUST STARTED A NEW JOB AND COULD NOT AFFORD TO TAKE TIME OFF OF WORK TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER OR INCUR ANYMORE RENTAL COSTS. I THEN CHECKED THE NHTSA WEBSITE FOR RECALLS OR SER*
CONSUMER STATES STARTER IS INOPERATIVE.*JB
VEHICLE WAS NOT STARTING WHEN IGNITION WAS TURNED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO A DEALERSHIP THAT DETERMINED THAT BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REASON WAS GIVEN TO CONSUMER FOR CAUSE OF THIS DEFECT. ALSO, MENTIONED THAT THERE WERE CONNECTION PROBLEMS BETWEEN BATTERY AND CABLES. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK
DEAD BATTERY NEEDEDS JUMPED TWICE -REPLACED ON PRORATED WARRANTY: TEMPERATURE GUAGE WOULD GO TO COLD - SHOP FOUND NOTHING WRONG. *AK
VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. DEALERSHIP HAS WORKED ON VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES SINCE 1998, AND HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR VEHICLE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FUEL INJECTOR, HEAD GASKET, WIRING HARNESS AND TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS AND THE VEHICLE WAS A LEMON OR DEFECTIVE. *YH
ONGOING PROBLEM WITH ENGINE STALLING FROM A STOP POSITION AND UNABLE TO RESTART WHEN THIS OCCURS. VEHICLE BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBLEM STILL REOCCURRING. KEY WOULD INTERMITTENTLY LOCK UP INTO IGNITION SWITCH, AND UNABLE TO REMOVE IT. ALSO, BEEN IN DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS, AND PROBELM STILL REOCCURRING. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK
VEHICLE HAS A SHOCK PROBLEM WHEN GETTING INSIDE OF VEHICLE. WHEN TURNING VEHICLE ON CONSUMER GETS A SHOCK. ALSO, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DOESN'T GO ALL THE WAY DOWN. *AK
VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ENGINE PROBLEMS, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, AND FLUID LEAKAGE PROBLEMS, CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS RELATED TO RECALL 99V325, CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS AND THE DEALERSHIP NEVER STATED ANYTHING REGARDING THE RECALLS, CONSUMER IS REQUESTING THAT THE RECALL REPAIR BE COMPLETED, HOWEVER DEALER IS STATING THAT THE WARRANTY IS OVER AND NO RECALL REPAIRS WILL BE COMPLETED. *SLC
THE CAR HAS ON GOING PROBLEMS. I HAVE BEEN TELLING KIA'S MECHANICS THAT I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS OVER AND OVER. 1) ELECTRICAL-POWER SURGES, LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING,FUSES BLOWING! KIA REPLACED THE BATTERY AND SAID IT SHOULD BE FINE NOW BUT IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN! WENT IN FOR A RECALL ON MCC AND ENDED UP DOING OTHER RECALLS THAT I NEVER RECEIVED! NOW, THE PROBLEM IS WORSE! FUSES ARE BLOWING! I HAVE BEEN TOLD THEY CANT FIND THE PROBLEM TO THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR! BASICALLY, I AM UNDER THE ASSUMPTION THEY CANT FIND IT UNTIL SOMETHING REALLY GOES WRONG. WELL, IT HAS! THE LOSS OF POWER IS TEN TIMES WORSE! I FEAR FOR ANY LIFE WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN OPERATION! THIS IS MY FIRST CAR AND I AM A YOUNG FEMALE! SO, I FEEL LIKE I AM BEING BLOWN OFF AND SUCH WHEN DEALING WITH THE MECHANICS. 2) BRAKING HAS BEEN WIERD ALSO! FEELS LIKE IT TAKES ALONG TIME TO COME TO COMPLETE STOP! I AM AFRAID THAT WHEN KIA FIXES THE PROBLEM IT ISN'T REALLY FIXED BECAUSE I KEEP HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR AND THEY SEEM TO BE THE SAME ONES. I FEEL LIKE I HAVE NO RECOURSE! I NEED THE ASSISTANCE OF SOMEONE TO HELP ME! I HAVE TALK ED TO MANY KIA OWNERS AND THEY EXPERIENCE THE SAME PROBLEMS! THEY ALSO HAVE GOTTEN NO SATISFACTION! ALL THAT WE CAN SAY AS CONSUMERS IS THAT WE WILL NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN! HELP US!
BRAKE FAILURE. *SLC
WHILE PERIODICALLY DRIVING 5MPH OR LESS VEHICLE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY SHUTOFF. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON FIRST, THAN IT SHUTOFF. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO FIND CAUSE OR REMEDY. SINCE THE FIRST INCIDENT, VEHICLE HAS SHUTDOWN 5 MORE TIMES. *AK
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.
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own
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