RoadVitals

1999 Kia Sportage Seat belts Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the seat belt system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Seat belts 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.
17
Latest Oct 28, 2013
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 284 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.
3
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
3

What this page shows

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1999 Kia Sportage submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 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 seat belt

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

Seat belts
Filed Oct 28, 2013

FRONT LEFT SIDE SEAT BELT, WON'T RETRACT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10549869
Incident
Oct 27, 2013
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical+4 more
Filed Nov 30, 2008

I PURCHASED MY KIA USED, FROM A DEALER, LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND IT PASSED THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CHECK FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPLACE THE GASOLINE TANK AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE. THIS CAR IS USED SOLELY FOR LIGHT USAGE TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM DR'S AND GROCERY STORES. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REPORTING ISSUE WITH CATALYST. FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND AM TRYING TO GET ORIGINAL DEALER TO FIX. NOW EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER TO ENGAGE INCLINES OR HILLS, CAUSING A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. ALSO BACK BRAKES SIMPLY "BLEW"! WITHOUT ANY FOREWARNING, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITIES. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT GOING FAST AND HAVE A STANDARD TO QUICKLY DOWNSHIFT. MY MOTHER WAS KILLED DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKES, AND IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PANICKING SITUATION FOR ME EMOTIONALLY. BEING A SINGLE MOTHER I RELY ON MECHANICS TO DO ALL MY WORK, AND I HAD JUST HAD ALL MY FUEL LEVELS TOPPED OFF AND MY PADS CHECKED, WITHOUT ANY ISSUE FOUND. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELTS REMAINING ENGAGED. THE DEALER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I AM STUCK WITH RECALLS NOBODY SEEMS TO WANT TO FIX! *TR

NHTSA ID
10250200
Incident
Nov 27, 2008
Mileage
69,000 mi
Body & structureSeat belts
Filed Nov 21, 2007

SEATBELT RESTRAINT FAILURE, BOTH INERTIA REELS FAILED FOR NO REASON WHILE DRIVING. THE PLASTIC IS SO DRY ROTTED AND IT BREAKS LIKE CARDBOARD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10209647
Incident
Nov 15, 2007
Mileage
89,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jun 15, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PLASTIC HOUSING SPRING FALLS OFF ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT. HE STATED THAT IT APPEARS TO BE DECOMPOSING AND IS UNABLE TO SNAP THE SHAFT OF THE PLASTIC HOUSING BACK TOGETHER. THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT HAS HAD THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE PREVENTS THE SEAT BELT FROM RETRACTING AND CAUSES IT TO BE VERY LOOSE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING UNLESS INSTRUCTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. KIA STATED THAT THERE IS NOTHING THAT THEY CAN DO AS WELL. THE PURCHASE DATE AND POWERTRAIN WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 62,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,000.

NHTSA ID
10193413
Incident
Jun 1, 2006
Mileage
42,000 mi
EngineSeat belts
Filed May 23, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE SEAT BELT RETRACTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE HAS FAILED. THE AIR CONDITIONER IS ALSO LEAKING INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN DIAGNOSED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 80,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

NHTSA ID
10191567
Incident
Mar 5, 2007
Mileage
76,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Feb 6, 2006

1999 KIA SPORTAGE SEAT BELT LOST ALL TENSION AND BECAME LOOSE. INERTIA REEL BROKE AND DISCONNECTED WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY OR A HARD POINT. *TS *JB

NHTSA ID
10149793
Incident
Jan 1, 1901
Seat belts
Filed Jan 20, 2006

THE CONTACT HAS A KIA SPORTAGE 1999 AND IT HAS A SEAT BELT PROBLEM. WHEN THE REAR DRIVER SEAT BUCKLE IS LATCHED IT DOES NOT LOCK OR MAKE A CLICKING SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED 2 MONTHS AGO. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE LOCAL KIA SERVICE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THE REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT PART OF A RECALL AND IF THEY NEEDED REPAIR THEY WOULD BE HAPPY TO INSTALL NEW ONES AT HIS COST. WHEN THE DEALER WAS INFORMED THE CONTACT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELT THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THE FRONT SEAT BELTS WILL BE REPAIRED AT NO COST. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE THE AGENCY TO CONDUCT AN INVESTIGATION ON THE REAR SEAT BELTS *JB

NHTSA ID
10148235
Incident
Dec 1, 2005
Seat belts
Filed Nov 28, 2005

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FRAYED. THE FRAYING WAS SO BAD THAT THE BUCKLE ASSEMBLY WOULD NOT SLIDE DOWN CORRECTLY. HE HAS BEEN IN CONTACT WITH KIA, AND THEY OFFERED NO FREE REMEDY. *AK

NHTSA ID
10143806
Incident
Sep 19, 2005
Mileage
55,000 mi
ElectricalFuel systemSeat belts
Filed Aug 5, 2005

IN DECEMBER OF 2000 I PURCHASED A KIA SPORTAGE 1999 FROM MCGRATH IN ELGIN, IL. FROM THE BEGINNING THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE DID NOT ALWAYS LOCK AND THE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR LIGHTS FLICKERED. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND WHY THE LIGHTS FLICKERED. ON AUGUST 2, 2005 MY VEHICLE DIED IN FRONT OF A MARATHON GAS STATION/REPAIR SHOP IN ROLLING MEADOWS, IL. THE MECHANIC CALLED ME AND TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. I TOLD HIM TO DO THE REPAIR. THE NEXT DAY, THE MECHANIC CALLS ME TO TELL ME THAT THE FUEL TANK IS SO RUSTED IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND HE HAS ALREADY CALLED THE KIA DEALER AND THE FUEL TANK IS IN "STOCK". I TOLD HIM TO DO THE REPAIR. (PLEASE REFERENCE COMPLAINT #10131393). WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE, IT KEPT BLOWING THE FUSES AND DYING. I NEVER GOT OUT OF THE GAS STATION PARKING LOT. I LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THEM. ON AUGUST 4, I HAD THE VEHICLE WITH THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK TOWED TO THE MCGRATH KIA DEALER IN ELGIN, IL. IN THE MEANTIME, I GOT ON THE INTERNET AND DID A SEARCH FOR KIA RECALLS. MY VEHICLE HAS 3 RECALLS- ONE FOR THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLE CAMPAIGN #04V305000, ONE FOR THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WIRING CAMPAIGN #99V32500, AND ONE FOR SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC, FOUNDATION COMPONENTS: HOSES, LINES/PIPING AND FITTINGS CAMPAIGN #98V222000. ALL OF THESE RECALLS WERE IN EFFECT BEFORE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I HAVE ASKED THE MCGRATH KIA DEALER TO FAX ME COPIES OF THE REPAIRS FOR THE RECALLS, BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING IN WRITING THAT THESE RECALLS WERE REPAIRED BEFORE THEY SOLD ME THE VEHICLE. NOW I AM WAITING FOR THE KIA DEALER TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I WAS TOLD IT COULD BE DAYS. *JB PHONE INTERVIEW UPDATE (OCT. 31, 2005): NO FUEL LEAK; HOWEVER, THE TANK WAS SO BADLY RUSTED. SHE AGREED TO EMAIL PICTURES OF THE TANK.

NHTSA ID
10131670
Incident
Aug 2, 2005
Seat belts
Filed Oct 2, 2004

THE RETRACTOR TO THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT JUST FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN THE ROAD. AND WHEN I SAY FELL OFF, I MEAN LITERALLY FELL OFF. MY DAUGHTER HEARD THE RETRACTOR FALL DOWN THE SIDE PANEL. THE SEATBEAT THEN HAD NO RESISTANCE AND WOULD NOT RETRACT, LEAVING THE SEATBELT USELESS. AFTER CLOSER EXAMINATION, I FOUND THE PLASTIC DOWELS HOLDING THE RETACTING MECHANISM TO THE SEATBELT HAD JUST FALLEN OFF OR WORN AWAY. HAD THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING AN ACCIDENT, THERE COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUS INJURIES. SEEMS THESE PLASTIC DOWELS SHOULD BE REPLACED WITH METAL OR STEEL ONES. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE REPORTED TO KIA ASAP. *AK

NHTSA ID
10093501
Incident
Sep 25, 2004
Seat belts
Filed Oct 8, 2002
Crash reported

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT AT 34 MPH. THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT DID NOT RETRACT RESULTING IN CONSUMER HITTING FRONT WINDSHIELD. *MR

NHTSA ID
8020425
Incident
Sep 27, 2002
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+4 more
Filed Feb 20, 2001

FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
559746
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Jan 12, 2001
Crash reported1 injury reported

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 35 MPH LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE DUE TO A FROZEN SPOT. CRASHED VEHICLE INTO A GUARDRAIL, AND NEITHER AIR BAG DEPLOYED.*AK THE SEAT BELT FAILED. *YH

NHTSA ID
878138
Incident
Dec 14, 2000
Seat belts
Filed May 15, 2000

THE SEAT BELTS NEEDED EXTENSIONS TO FIT PROPERLY AND THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO RESOLVE IT. YH

NHTSA ID
552248
AirbagsSeat belts
Filed Mar 1, 2000
Crash reported2 injuries reported

VEHICLE INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION OF 40 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. ALSO, BOTH SEAT BELTS FAILED TO LOCK IN PLACE. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINRD BY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ID
857746
Incident
Feb 18, 2000
AirbagsBody & structureDriver assistance+2 more
Filed Aug 24, 1999

SEAT BELT WOULD CONTINUOUSLY CHIME. THE AIR BAG LIGHT STAYS ON AFTER STARTING VEHICLE. VEHICLE WOULD START ERRATICALLY. DOOR FRAME WOULD LEAK. CONVERTIBLE TOP DID NOT STAY CLOSED. VEHICLE WOULD IDLE AT 2000RPMS WHEN SLOWING DOWN & ALMOST STALL OUT. WILL BE TAKING VEHICLE TO DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID
845699
Incident
Jun 11, 1999
Seat belts
Filed Jun 4, 1999

HAD PUT SEAT BELT ON. MADE SLIGHT MOVEMENT, BELT TIGHTENED/LOCKED UP. CONTINOUS MOVEMENT MAKES BELT TIGHTER. HAPPENED ON PASSENGER'S SIDE ONLY & BOTH SEAT BELTS IN REAR. SEAT BELT FAILED TO RELEASE. HAD TAKEN TO DEALER & HAD SEAT BELTS CHECKED. NO PROBLEM WAS FOUND, BUT PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

NHTSA ID
838888
Incident
Jul 21, 1998

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 .