Total Complaints
493 filings
KIA SPORTAGE · model year
493 NHTSA complaints, 43 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1999KIASPORTAGE carries 493 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 43 crashes, 6 fires, 21 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1999 SPORTAGE is engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline with 42 filings, followed by engine and engine cooling:exhaust system (19) and power train:automatic transmission (16). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1999 SPORTAGE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
493 filings
Crashes Reported
43 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 42 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 19 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 16 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 16 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 14 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 14 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 12 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 12 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 12 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER | 12 |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT | 12 |
| AIR BAGS | 11 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 11 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 11 |
| STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS | 10 |
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES ON THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED ONCE AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEARS SLIPPED RANDOMLY AND WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.
Mileage: 333,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES ON THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED ONCE AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEARS SLIPPED RANDOMLY AND WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.
Mileage: 333,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES ON THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED ONCE AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEARS SLIPPED RANDOMLY AND WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.
Mileage: 333,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED STRONG FUEL FUMES ON THE EXTERIOR AND THE INTERIOR. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE TIMING BELT FAILED THREE TIMES AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE DRIVE TRAIN FAILED ONCE AND WAS REPLACED BY A MECHANIC. THE CRANK SHAFT WAS ALSO REPLACED ONCE. THE CONTACT ALSO WAS EXPERIENCING A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN WHICH THE GEARS SLIPPED RANDOMLY AND WERE SLOW TO CHANGE OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.
Mileage: 333,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SPORADICALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS, WHO STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000.
Mileage: 189,000
I HAD JUST FILLED GAS TANK WITH UNLEADED GAS. WHEN I NOTICED A STRONG GAS SMELL. THE CAR SITS ALL DAY. I ONLY MOVE IT FOR EMISSIONS EACH YEAR I WORK FROM HOME. THEY TESTED AND TOLD ME EVAP EMISSION CONTROL SYS MALF. THE GUY SAID HE COULD SEE GAS LEAKING FROM MY FUEL LINE. HE SAID IT WAS A RECALL ON THIS TO CHECK WITH KIA. KIA TOLD ME MY VIN NUMBER DID NOT MATCH THE RECALL. THIS CAR DOES NOT SEE ALOT OF ACTION THERE IS NO REASON OTHER THAN A FEW GOOD SNOWS THAT MAY HAVE RUSTED THE TANK OTHER WISE WHY WOULD MY TANK ALL OF A SUDDEN LEAK GAS. THIS IS A HAZARD THAT I THINK KIA SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE CAR AND HAVE HAD IT LONGER THAN THE FIRST. I HAVE EXPERIENCED FIRST HAND SOME ISSUES THIS MODEL HAS HAD WHICH KIA TOOK CARE OF. BUT THEY REFUSE THIS. *TR
Mileage: 124,971
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND CAUSED THAT CONTACT TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE AFTER HE REGAINED CONTROL, STOPPED AND EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
Mileage: 160,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THEY DID NOT INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 168,390. UPDATED 02/03/2014 *LJ UPDATED 02/24/14*LJ
Mileage: 168,390
REAR FRAME OF MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE ROTTED, AND CAUSING THE WHOLE REAREND TO SHIFT SEVERELY. AT 30MPH. CAUSING ME TO PARK MY SPORTAGE. REST OF THE FRAME IN GOOD SHAPE. *TR
Mileage: 161,000
REAR FRAME OF MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE ROTTED, AND CAUSING THE WHOLE REAREND TO SHIFT SEVERELY. AT 30MPH. CAUSING ME TO PARK MY SPORTAGE. REST OF THE FRAME IN GOOD SHAPE. *TR
Mileage: 161,000
REAR FRAME OF MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE ROTTED, AND CAUSING THE WHOLE REAREND TO SHIFT SEVERELY. AT 30MPH. CAUSING ME TO PARK MY SPORTAGE. REST OF THE FRAME IN GOOD SHAPE. *TR
Mileage: 161,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN A LARGER TRUCK PASSED HIM ON THE ROADWAY AND CAUSED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE TO SWERVE INTO ANOTHER LANE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRAME WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
Mileage: 94,000
FRONT LEFT SIDE SEAT BELT, WON'T RETRACT. *TR
I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HIT A BUMP WHEN MY CAR BEGAN SWAYING BACK AND FORTH FROM SIDE TO SIDE. I HAD A VERY HARD TIME MAINTAINING CONTROL. I SLOWLY DROVE HOME AND UPON FURTHER INSPECTION UNDERNEATH MY 1999 KIA SPORTAGE I DISCOVER THE FRAME IS TOTALLY RUSTED TO THE POINT OF FALLING APART. THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FRAME IS ALMOST NON EXISTENT AND THE DRIVERS SIDE ISN'T MUCH BETTER THERE ARE HOLES AND PIECES OF THE FRAME GONE. I HAVE BEEN READING ON LINE THAT THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM MY 11 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OR MYSELF COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, PLEASE DO SOMETHING SO OTHERS WILL NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS. *TR
Mileage: 122,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED COMPLETELY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE AN ENGINEER FOR THE MANUFACTURER INSPECTED AND DETERMINED THAT THE REAR FRAME WAS SEVERELY RUSTED AND COULD NOT BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 72,083.
Mileage: 72,083
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE WHEN ACCELERATING. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATING AND WHEN IT WOULD, THE TRANSMISSION WOULD EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SPORTAGE. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWAY BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC WHERE THEY ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE HAD RUSTED FROM THE CHASSIS ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE MECHANIC ALSO ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NON-REPAIRABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WAS UNABLE TO ASSIST. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000. UPDATED 9/16/11 *CN UPDATED 2/9/12 *CN
Mileage: 88,000
1995 TO 2002 KIA SPORTAGES FRAMES ARE ROTTING OUT AND GAS TANKS LEAKING ALSO. KIA REFUSES TO REPAIR OR PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. VEHICLES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE PUBLIC. FORD WINDSTARS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM 1998 TO 2003 BACK AXLE ROTTING OUT, THEY ARE TAKING ACTION AND OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN A STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC FOR THE STATE OF PA. FOR 35YRS THIS DEFECT IS GOING TO CAUSE SEVERAL CRASHES, MAYBE DEATHS. KIA IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MATTER ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. THANKS *TR
Mileage: 160,000
1995 TO 2002 KIA SPORTAGES FRAMES ARE ROTTING OUT AND GAS TANKS LEAKING ALSO. KIA REFUSES TO REPAIR OR PUT OUT A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE. VEHICLES ARE A SAFETY ISSUE TO THE PUBLIC. FORD WINDSTARS HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM 1998 TO 2003 BACK AXLE ROTTING OUT, THEY ARE TAKING ACTION AND OWNING UP TO THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BEEN A STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC FOR THE STATE OF PA. FOR 35YRS THIS DEFECT IS GOING TO CAUSE SEVERAL CRASHES, MAYBE DEATHS. KIA IS NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THIS MATTER ANY HELP WOULD BE GREAT. THANKS *TR
Mileage: 160,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SHORTAGE. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER DISPENSING FUEL INTO THE FULL TANK, HE WOULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURE VOLUNTARY RECALL PERTAINING TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED THAT SAFETY RECALL EXPIRED. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL TANK WAS NOT IN STOCK. THE PROBLEM PERSISTED AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 2/23/11 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL TANK AND FUEL PUMP HAD RUST PROBLEMS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE PURCHASED ANOTHER VEHICLE. UPDATED 02/28/11
Mileage: 105,000
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.