1997 Kia Sportage
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 56 of 181 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 57 in 1996 to 181 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Special Purpose Vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300–3,450 | 3,300 | 3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–19 | 18–19 | 18–19 | 19 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–18 / 20–22 | 16–17 / 20–22 | 17 / 20–21 | 17 / 21 | 17 / 21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–494 | 468–494 | 468–494 | 468 | 468 | |
| Complaints filed | 56 | 57 | 181 | 303 | 284 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 12 | 32 | 19 | 27 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 1 | 27 | 24 | 9 | 14 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Kia Sportage have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Kia Sportage?
Engine: 56 of 181 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Kia Sportage get?
EPA rates it 18–19 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Kia Sportage?
EPA estimates $3,300–$3,450 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 20 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $3,450 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Special Purpose Vehicles | 17 mpg | 21 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 56 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 23 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 19 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Steering | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 43 | 22 | 0 | 20 | 1 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 02V216000 · Aug 28, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 99V325000 · Nov 29, 1999
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. THE WIRES CONNECTED TO THE C123 AND C124 CONNECTORS CAN BE PUT UNDER TENSION BY MOVEMENT OF THE ENGINE, THUS PULLING THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS, LOOSENING THEM AND RESULTING IN A LOSS OF CIRCUIT CONTINUITY.
Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL SPRING CLIPS TO LOCK THE CONNECTORS TOGETHER. IN ADDITION, THE DEALERS WILL BE INSTRUCTED TO SOLDER A SPLICE IN THE WIRE HARNESS.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK · Campaign 97V234000 · Dec 19, 1997
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.