Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1997 Kia Sportage: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
63 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
39 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
21 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V325000.
20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
18 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 97V234000.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V216000.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on August 16, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 189,706 vehicles across all affected models.
Latches, Locks and Linkages. Recall covering the latches, locks and linkages system, reported to NHTSA on December 17, 1997. The campaign covers an estimated 23,493 vehicles across all affected models.
Electrical System. Recall covering the electrical system system, reported to NHTSA on November 19, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 76,986 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 02V216000.
ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL. Resulted in recall campaign 99V325000.
ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL. Resulted in recall campaign 99V325000.
ENGINE STALLING POST-RECALL. Resulted in recall campaign 99V325000.
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. Resulted in recall campaign 99V325000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.