1997 Kia Sportage Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 12%of 181 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 60,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1997 Kia Sportage, 12% of the 181 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 60,000 miles. 7 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The srs air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The cruise control failed to come on its own. The clock spring needed to be replaced. The air bag light had been on for a year. The consumer was informed that the front seat belts needed to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #10098991, filed 2004-11, 60,000 miles“While driving down highway when approximately at 55mph engine will stall. Slow down and stop without warning. Most of the time I can turn engine off restart run it thru all of the gears and it will be fine for awhile unless on bumpy road or stop warning bumps in the road. I can not fill gas tank up due to it leaking out under vehicle refrase that pour out. It will also vibrate really bad after being drove for over 2 hours straight. Please help me to resolve these problems before it causes a injury or death.”
NHTSA complaint #10586244, filed 2014-05“Engine check light is on, the car is stalling, the air bag lights are on. I am afraid that they will deploy at any given time. Almost killed myself and my daughter on the queenboro bridge, I was going 40 and all of a sudden the car accelerated on it's own, I applied the brakes, but they had turned hard, I had no brakes, put emergency brakes, but nothing, when it was nearing an accident because I had to stop I threw the car in neutral which slowed it down enough for me to safely put it in park in the middle of a bridge. …”
NHTSA complaint #702537, filed 1999-01“The day before the accident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and would not slow down. I was able to get it into neutral, and then into park. It did not do this on 1.5 hour trip home. I called the service manager at paramount Kia the next day. He advised me that he had not heard of any such problems. While attempting to drive to that dealership, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and would not slow down. The brakes would not respond, and this time the transmission would no disengage into neutral. I was not able to control the vehicle, and crashed. …”
NHTSA complaint #709170, filed 1999-07“While the vehicle was running consumer applied the brakes, and vehicle suddenly accelerated on its own. Consumer's foot was on the brake, and vehicle continued to speed. Consumer was able to maintain control of the vehicle, and drove it to the dealer for inspection. However, mechanic could not duplicate the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10071684, filed 2004-04Vehicle speed control: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 10 | 5% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 5 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 8 | 5% |
| 2017 | 18 | 4% |
| 2016 | 7 | 5% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 4 | 3% |
| 2013 | 4 | 1% |
| 2012 | 3 | 1% |
| 2011 | 10 | 6% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 3 | 4% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 7 | 9% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 3 | 1% |
| 2001 | 11 | 5% |
| 2000 | 6 | 2% |
| 1999 | 11 | 4% |
| 1998 | 18 | 6% |
| 1997 | 22 | 12% |
| 1996 | 5 | 9% |
| 1995 | 3 | 5% |
Other parts of the 1997 Kia Sportage
56 complaintsAir bags
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 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 Nov 1, 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