Complaints
299
Crashes
50
Fires
6
Injuries
46
Fatalities
1
Recalls
0
Worst 1997 Kia Sportage Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#139 complaints
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
Fires:1
#221 complaints
Air Bags:Frontal
Avg mileage:77,500 mi
Crash-related:17
#320 complaints
Unintended Acceleration
Crash-related:7
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 1997 Kia Sportage.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 39 | — | 1 | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 21 | 17 | — | 77,500 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 20 | 7 | — | — | |
| Airbags | 14 | 2 | — | 118,497 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 9 | — | — | 110,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 9 | 2 | — | — | |
| Automatic Transmission | 8 | 1 | — | — | |
| Structure:Body:Door | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 6 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 5 | — | 2 | 60,500 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 5 | — | — | 102,000 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 5 | — | — | 119,000 mi | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft | 5 | 1 | — | — | |
| Manual Transmission | 5 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 4 | 4 | — | — | |
| Brake Master Cylinder | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Axle Assembly | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension:Front | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 2 | 2 | — | — |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
39
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
21
complaints
Crashes
17
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,500
Unintended Acceleration
20
complaints
Crashes
7
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
14
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,497
Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
110,000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
9
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structure:Body:Door
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
60,500
Engine & Cooling
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
102,000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
119,000
Power Train:Driveline:Driveshaft
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Manual Transmission
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical Faults
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components
4
complaints
Crashes
4
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Brake Master Cylinder
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Axle Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Driveline:Differential Unit
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Suspension:Front
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Motor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Side/Window
2
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 1997 Kia Sportage. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Kia Sportage Years
1997 Kia Sportage — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 1997 Kia Sportage reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 1997 Kia Sportage has 299 NHTSA complaints, 50 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline with 39 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 1997 Kia Sportage?
Top reported problems: Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline (39 complaints); Air Bags:Frontal (21 complaints, avg 77,500 mi); Unintended Acceleration (20 complaints). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 1997 Kia Sportage?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 96,338 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 1997 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA complaints for the 1997 Kia Sportage include 50 crash-related reports, 6 fire reports, 46 injuries, and 1 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 1997 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 1997 Kia Sportage as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 1997 Kia Sportage?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Kia Sportage reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 1997 Kia Sportage
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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