1997 Kia Sportage Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 25about this part
- Share
- 14%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,658miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 25 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Kia Sportage, 14% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,658 miles. 5 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“In may 5, 2003 I took to inspect the car for a noise at the back. Its like being on a plane for departure. I was told by the dealer that the back differentials was damaged. It only had 25,317 mileage in 2003. I could not believe that. This year 2005 a inspect the car at wester auto I was told the differential is damage. At the store I was told they have seen others Kia Sportage with the same problems. I also when to ped boys. Also, they said verb there were problems Kia differential. At wester auto I change the back bearing thinking that will fix the noise. …”
NHTSA complaint #10118075, filed 2005-04, 25,317 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“I took my car in to be serviced on 05/15/01 to westcott Kia, I was hearing a loud grinding noise and my vehicle was resisting to go foward, also lack of power to my vehicle overall, I felt like it was a transmission concern at that time my vehicle had 50888 miles on it, they told me it was my EGR valve , it was malfunctioning, they replaced it. …”
NHTSA complaint #759144, filed 2002-03“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“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 2002-03Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 19 | 10% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 4 | 7% |
| 2020 | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 18 | 11% |
| 2017 | 41 | 10% |
| 2016 | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 18 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 5% |
| 2011 | 23 | 13% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 12 | 12% |
| 2007 | 3 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 22 | 10% |
| 2000 | 41 | 13% |
| 1999 | 57 | 20% |
| 1998 | 63 | 21% |
| 1997 | 25 | 14% |
| 1996 | 11 | 19% |
| 1995 | 4 | 7% |
Other parts of the 1997 Kia Sportage
56 complaintsAir bags
39 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 31, 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