RoadVitals

1999 Kia Sportage Visibility Problems

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

Data refreshed

Visibility 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.
27
Latest Sep 10, 2007
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.
10%
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.
1
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

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors. 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. 27 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 visibility

The 25 most recent of 27, in the owner's own words

Visibility
Filed Sep 10, 2007

LOUD NOISES FROM THE A/C & HEATER UNDER THE GLOVE BOXES FINAL CONCLUSION THE UNIT STOPPED BLOWING AND MAKES A LOUD NOISES WHEN SWITCH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10202420
Incident
Aug 1, 2007
Mileage
118,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Dec 20, 2004

HEATER COIL WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BRIDGE. VEHICLE WAS TOWED, AND THE HEATER COIL WAS REPLACED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10105098
Incident
Oct 1, 2004
Mileage
117,000 mi
Visibility
Filed Jan 27, 2003

CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH WINDSHIELD. ALSO STATED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON WINDSHIELD WHICH SHE DID NOT NOTICE IN THE MORNING WHEN SHE DROVE VEHICLE TO WORK. MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS CALL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10004650
Heating & air conditioningVisibility
Filed Jul 5, 2002

INTERMITTENT LOSS OF ELECTRICAL TO HEATER-A/C,POWER WINDOWS,WIPERS. *AK

NHTSA ID
763837
BrakesElectricalSteering+1 more
Filed Apr 2, 2002

I PURCHASED MY KIA SPORTAGE 4X4 BRAND NEW IN JULY OF 1999 SINCE I DAY I DROVE IT OFF THE LOT IT HAS BEEN A CONSTANT SOURCE OF STRESS AND FRUSTRATION. SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING IT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD CONTINOUSLY COME ON AND THEN THE CAR WOULD LURCH AND CHUG. CAR WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS KEPT THERE FOR APPOROXIMATELY 2AND A HALF WEEKS. IT HAS ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WHERE IT WOULDN'T START DUE TO CORROSION ON THE STARTER CLIP . THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. I ALSO HAD THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOP WORKING ON THE WAY HOME FROM WORK IN A SNOW STORM WITH MY FOUR YEAR OLD SON IN THE BACK. IT ALSO STARTED MAKING A LOUD RUMBLING NOISE THAT SOUNDED LIKE I WAS DRIVING OVER SPEED BUMPS. THIS LED TO THEM NEEDING TO REPLACE THE HUBS, BEARINGS, AND AXLE SHAFTS. CAR ONLY HAD APPROXIMATELY 33000 MILES ON IT. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS WERE BAD AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS AT A COST OF $400.00 TO ME. I HAVE VERY STRONG SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS VEHICLE. I DO NOT LIKE HAVING MYSELF OR MY CHILD IN THE VEHICLE FOR FEAR OF WHAT ELSE IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH IT AND WILL WE SURVIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT.*AK

NHTSA ID
760149
Incident
Oct 1, 1999
Body & structureEngineFuel system+4 more
Filed Mar 5, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WIPERS DO NOT STAY ON WINDOW, DRIVER SIDE WINDOW RATTLES AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW LEAKS WATER AND AIR. *TT

NHTSA ID
564571
Incident
Apr 3, 2000
BrakesHeating & air conditioningElectrical+3 more
Filed Aug 2, 2001

CONSUMER EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH TIRES, NO OTHER INFORMATION WAS GIVEN.*JB

NHTSA ID
785452
Incident
May 1, 1999
Body & structureElectricalEngine+4 more
Filed Apr 30, 2001

THE DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM BROKE OFF DURING A RAINSTORM. (ATTORNEY FOR CLIENT) *YH

NHTSA ID
560963
Incident
Mar 24, 2000
Tires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 8, 2001

WHILE DRIVING 65MPH IN RAIN DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED. THEN, PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER STOPPED AS WELL. DEALER FOUND DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER HAD BROKEN. REPLACED BOTH WINDSHIELD WIPERS. ON JANUARY 10, 2001 WHILE SNOWING, VERY SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN. HAD WINDSHIELD WIPERS REPLACED AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING TO DEALER'S LOT DRIVER'S WINDSHIELD WIPER ARM FLEW OFF. *AK THE COMPLETE 4 WHEEL DRIVE KIT WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER BUT THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE DID NOT ENGAGE RESULTING IN BUMPING, GRINDING NOISE AND NO TRACTION. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. *YH 4 WHEEL DRIVE WAS NEVER IN WORKING ORDER IN VEHICLE, CONSUMER PUT VEHICLE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND GOT STUCK. THERE WAS A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. LIGHT INDICATING THIS OPTION WAS WORKING HAD BEEN ON. DEALER FOUND 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAD NOT BEEN WORKING IN VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE. DEALER REPLACED 4 WHEEL DRIVE. NOW SAME PROBLEM WITH 4 WHEEL DRIVE, SAME GRINDING SOUND BACK.

NHTSA ID
882441
Incident
Oct 15, 2000
SteeringVisibility
Filed Mar 5, 2001

WINDSHIELD WIPERS WORK ONLY INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER REPLACED MOTOR AND SWITCH, BUT CANNOT REMEDY SITUATION. *AK ALSO THE STEERING GEAR WAS LEAKING AT OITMAN ARM SPLINE SEAL DUE TO STEERING GEAR BOX FAILURE. *YH

NHTSA ID
882063
Incident
Nov 15, 2000
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting+4 more
Filed Feb 20, 2001

FRONT ROTORS FAILED. NLM

NHTSA ID
559746
EngineTransmissionVisibility
Filed Feb 6, 2001

4-WHEEL DRIVE DOES NOT ALWAYS ENGAGE, BOTH FRONT HUBS WERE REPLACED AND PASS OPERATION CABLE ADJUSTED, DEALER CLAIMS THE PROBLEMS IS FIXED, HOWEVER CONSUMER STATES THERE IS NO DIFFERENCE ONCE VEHICLE IS REPAIRED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. POWER WINDOW INOPERABLE, DEALER REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR. *SLC

NHTSA ID
879906
Incident
Nov 30, 2000
Body & structureBrakesEngine+3 more
Filed Jan 12, 2001

NO LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD CAME ON .THIS IS ONE TIME ENGINE CHECK LIGHT DID NOT COME ON. OIL ALL OVER MOTOR. AROUND AREA OF DIP STICK.PRESSURE FROM MOTOR BLEW OUT DIP STICK HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD TO REPLACE MOTOR ON THESE CARS? ALSO HAVE HAD BRAKES REPLACED 5 TIMES. WIPER ASSEMBLY REPLACED. FOURWHEEL DRIVE HOSE REPLACED. WINDSHEILD REPLACED. EMISSONS REPLACED. ROTORS 5 TIMES. SEATS FRONT AND BACK 1 TIME EACH. SOFT TOP REPLACED 3 TIMES NEED REPLACED AGAIN.SMELLS LIKE SULFUR ALL THE TIME. WILL NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN . FIRST I HAVE TO PAY 3000.00 FOR A NEW MOTOR AND PAY THIS ONE OFF.ASKED FOR HELP FROM KIA THEY SAID NO.THEY WILL NOT REPLACE MOTOR. I BOUGHT EXTENDED WARRENTY . DON'T BUY IT DOESN'T COVER BRAKES OR ROTORS OR HUBS.HAD HEADLIGHT SWITCH BY MOTOR REPLACED NO HEADLIGHTS THEY WOULD GO OFF WHEN I PUT THEM FROM HIGH BEAM TO LOW BEAM OR LOW TO HIGH. THEN THEY STOPPED WORKING ALLTOGETHER HAD TO HOLD SWITCH TO SEE TO GET HOME.

NHTSA ID
739244
Incident
Dec 8, 2000
EngineTransmissionVisibility
Filed Dec 28, 2000

THE HEAT SHIELD ON MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER RUSTED OFF,THE MANIFOLD CRACKED,THE MUFFLER RUSTED THROUGH WITHIN A YEAR,THE WIDSHIELD WIPER TRANSMISSION BROKE AND WAS REPLACED,WHILE THE KIA SPORTAGE IS ENGAGED IN 4WD IT POPS OUT INTO TWO WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSES THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE.THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME NUMEROUS TIMES THIS WINTER AND THE RECALLED PARTS HAVE NOW FAILED AGAIN CAUSING KIA TO PUT IN MANUAL HUBS FROM 1997 INTO MY 1999 SUV.I FEEL THIS IS A DANGER TO ALL WHO OWN A KIA SPORTAGE AND I HAVE CONTACTED A LAWYER TO LOOK INTO POSSIBLE LITIGATION AGAINST KIA.I HAVE FOUND A RECALL ON A PREVIOUSE MODLE FROM 1998 BUT THE COMPONENTS SEALS ARE FAILING IN THE REPLACMENT PARTS HUBS .THANK IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR TIME AND LETTING ME INFORM YOU OF THIS DANGEROUSE SITUATION...ED GEISLER. *AK

NHTSA ID
738450
Incident
Aug 20, 2000
ElectricalVisibility
Filed Nov 28, 2000

THE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS FAILED AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL, THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED PREVIOUSLY, IN WHICH CONSUMER HAD WORK PERFORMED, DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO HONOR THE MANUFACTURERS 36-MONTH OR 36,000 MILE WARRANTY STATING THE PROBLEM WAS THE RESULT OF ANOTHER COMPANYS WORK THAT WAS PERFORMED, AND THAT THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL REPAIRS AS STATED.*JB

NHTSA ID
557663
Incident
Aug 23, 2000
ElectricalInterior & seatsVisibility
Filed Sep 20, 2000
Fire reported

WINDSHIELWIPERS WOULD GO SO FAST AT TIMES THEY FLEW OFF WINDSHIELD, OR SO SLOW THAT THEY WOULDN'T HARDLY MOVE, THE DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW CONTROLS WOULD NOT PUT DOWN THE BACK P[ASSENGER SIDE WINDOW, VEHICLE HAD A TENDENCY TO LOOSE ALL POWER AT 55 - 60 MPH, VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE ON 9/06/200 DUE TO ELECTRICAL REASONS VEHICLE IS TOTALED MOST LIKELY, ALL INTERIOR WIRING , DASH ASSEMLBY SHIFTER AND RADIO COMP NEEDS REPLACE MENT AS WELL AS ALL THE INTERIOR WINDSHIEL HEADLINER ETC.

NHTSA ID
731984
Incident
Mar 1, 2000
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+3 more
Filed Sep 5, 2000

#2 CYLINDER MISFIRED CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE DRIVING. NLM

NHTSA ID
554350
Incident
Aug 11, 1999
AirbagsVisibility
Filed Jul 19, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPER ON PASSENGER'S SIDE STOPPED WORKING. WINDSHIELD WIPER NEVER STARTED WORKING AGAIN. ALSO, AIRBAG LIGHT STAYED ON UNTIL CONSUMER TOOK IT TO BE REPAIRED A MONTH AFTER CONSUMER HAD THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ID
865696
Incident
Jul 9, 2000
Body & structureDriver assistanceTransmission+1 more
Filed Jun 15, 2000

THROTTLE: CAR INTERMITTENTLY JERKS IN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. SERVICE PERSON AT DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN PRESENT AND EXPERIENCED THIS AND SAID THROTTLE HAS PROBLEMS, BUT PROBLEM CONTINUES TO BE UNRESOLVED. TECHNICIAN SAYS HE CAN'T DUPLICATE IT. THIS JERKING OCCURS SEVERAL TIMES A WEEK AND AFTER THE CAR HAS WARMED UP. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON THE ROADS IN THE WINTER AND CAN CAUSE LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. TAILGATE ASSEMBLY HAS BEEN REPAIRED AT LEAST TWO TIMES - IT FAILS TO SHUT PROPERLY - WHICH ALLOWS EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER VEHICLE. THE TAILGATE HAS TO BE SHUT THREE OR MORE TIMES BEFORE FINALLY CLOSING. PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. SAME PROBLEM - NOT SHUTTING PROPERLY - WITH PASSENGER SIDE REAR DOORS. DURING THE WINTER, INSIDE OF WINDOWS STAYED "FOGGED UP" PREVENTING A CLEAR VIEW OF TRAFFIC. DEFROST FAILED TO CLEAR MOISTURE INSIDE VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP SAID THIS WAS NORMAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
724062
Visibility
Filed Apr 19, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS DO NOT REST PROPERLY, CAUSING WIPERS TO BECOME INOPERATIVE, AND RESULTING IN POOR DRIVER VISIBILITY. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED THE DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

NHTSA ID
860547
Visibility
Filed Apr 12, 2000

WHILE USING WINDSHIELD WIPERS THEY WILL STOP OPERATING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK

NHTSA ID
860232
Incident
Apr 12, 2000
Visibility
Filed Mar 10, 2000

WINDSHIELD WIPERS COME OFF SIDE OF WINDSHIELD DURING RAIN MAKING VISIBILITY DIFFICULT AS WELL AS TEARING THE PAINT OFF THE SIDE OF THE DOOR. *AK

NHTSA ID
719912
Incident
Feb 2, 2000
BrakesTires & wheelsVisibility
Filed Mar 2, 2000

VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE. BRAKES PULLED TO THE LEFT, BRAKE SYSTEM WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES. POWER WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WAY DOWN, THERE WAS A SPACE BETWEEN THE WINDOW AND TRACK/ WINDSHIELD WASHER DIDN'T WORK. CONSUMER HAD A BLOWOUT, THE BACK TIRES SPLIT IN HALF. CAR WOULD NOT START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, BATTERY AND STARTER REPLACED. CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY KIA THAT POOR CONNECTIONS IN THE FUEL INJECTION WIRE HARNESS CIRCUIT COULD BE CAUSING THE ENGINE TO STALL. *AK *ML

NHTSA ID
857806
Incident
May 19, 1999
Visibility
Filed Mar 1, 2000

WHILE DRIVING WITH MY WINDSHIELD WIPERS ON IN THE RAIN. THE DRIVER SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPER SUDDENLY FLEW OFF THE WINDOW AND RESTED ON THE REARVIEW MIRROR. AFTER HAVING THE WIPER INSPECTED IT WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY LINKAGE SYSTEM SLOWLY CAUSING THE WIPER TO SCREW WHILE IN USE. EVEN AFTER SCREWING THE WIPER BACK INTO PLACE THE WIPER JUST LAID THERE AFTER TURNING THE WIPERS BACK ON. *AK

NHTSA ID
719491
Incident
Feb 23, 2000
BrakesElectricalEngine+1 more
Filed Dec 17, 1999

NOT ONLY HAS THE PROPORTIONAL BRAKING VALVE FAILED,BUT ALSO ENGINE TEMP SENSOR,CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON,AND HOLD LIGHT FOR THE TRASMISSION COME ON, AND NOW THE POWER WINDOW GETS STUCK OPEN. WE SMELL A FAINT SMELL OF WIRE INSULATION BURNING,BUT SERVICE DEPT. SAID THEY COULDNT DO ANY THING UNTIL THE BRAKE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HE SAID THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE WIRING HARNESS.THIS MAKES TWICE. *AK

NHTSA ID
716175
Incident
Dec 14, 1999

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .