1997 Kia Sportage Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 56about this part
- Share
- 31%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 56 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1997 Kia Sportage, 31% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Kia refuses to include my 1997 Sportage ex 4wd in recall for 1997 Kia sportages ex 4wd. Recall 1cmp005 to replace the engine control module (ECM) has never been performed. Also not sure that recall 2cmp014 on wiring has been performed. My main concern and the refusal from Kia is on the ECM.”
NHTSA complaint #10144954, filed 2005-12, 85,000 miles“- the contact owns a 1997 Kia Sportage. The vehicle was overheating. The contact said that the used car dealer replaced the radiator and the main hose. The vehicle continued to overheat, and when diagnosed ,the contact was told the overheating was due to the clutch overheating and the fan sticking. The contact didn't think that transmission oil was circulating throughout the vehicle properly. There were no warning indicator lights. The vehicle currently will not start. The dealer was no longer in business.”
NHTSA complaint #10178267, filed 2007-01, 104,000 miles“Since purchase of vehicle I have had problems with cel coming on and staying on, I have had problems with clutch, the belts, and recently the emission systems, each time I go in the people at the dealer ship act like I am doing these things on purpose and this last time they told me that my warranty had expired. And that it would cost 1,000 dollars to fix. I was out raged.”
NHTSA complaint #742416, filed 2001-03“The vehicle is cutting off in right turns. There was a recall on the vehicle for this problem. However, the dealer I have taken the vehicle to, has said the have performed the recall service, yet it is still cutting off and idling low in the turns. I have taken the vehicle back 6 to 7 times and they don't believe me and still have not been able to fix the car.”
NHTSA complaint #721706, filed 2000-04“On 4/23/01 I took my car to westcott Kia motors, I had a concern reguarding my transmission, they inspected and said theyfound switch stop lamp wasnt working at which time they replaced it , it was under warranty, they also replaced an EGR valve that was under warranty, still to no avail of having my transmission concernes resolved with this dealer (after all these repairs , my car still had the same problem I brought it in for) I filed a complaint with Kia consumer affairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #759076, filed 2002-03Related service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 7 | 13% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 | 14 | 4% |
| 2012 | 2 | 1% |
| 2011 | 7 | 4% |
| 2008 | 5 | 5% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 8 | 7% |
| 2005 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 69 | 29% |
| 2001 | 45 | 20% |
| 2000 | 45 | 15% |
| 1999 | 79 | 28% |
| 1998 | 79 | 26% |
| 1997 | 56 | 31% |
| 1996 | 10 | 18% |
| 1995 | 14 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1997 Kia Sportage
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsElectrical system
21 complaintsBrakes
19 complaintsFuel system
18 complaintsOther or unknown
16 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
9 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
7 complaintsSuspension
7 complaintsSeat belts
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology