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Air bagsPart report

1998 Kia Sportage Air bags Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
4%of 303 total for the year
Median mileage
70,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Kia Sportage, 4% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 8 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“While at a complete stop in driveway of home, I went to put the car in park and it just took off, I tried braking , but it continued to go forward straight through the garage door at a very high speed, front air bag did not deploy. Contacted dealer about problem, had car towed to them. They stated they had never had any complaints about this . Contacted the 1-800-4kia help line and was told I was the third complaint about this. …”

NHTSA complaint #715096, filed 1999-11

“Consumer was traveling about 40mph on highway and was going south bound. She saw a truck that was in the process of making a left turn. Went onto the shoulders with dirt kicking up. Gravel went into consumer vehicle tires, and gravel pulled vehicle to the right. She hit a fence and a light pole. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Vehicle was totaled.”

NHTSA complaint #888449, filed 2001-05

“While traveling and without prior warning a deer appeared in the street. To avoid him, consumer swerved and hit an enbankment. Upon impact, air bags failed to deploy. Consumers seat belt popped causing consumer to lurch forward and and hit her head. Consumer sustained multiple injuries.”

NHTSA complaint #8006184, filed 2002-03

“Head on collision with a deer, had damage to front grill, the hood shifted with big dents from the deer, the deer hit the windshield (60%) was gone and the windshield wipers were ripped off. I was going about 30-35 miles and no air bags went off.”

NHTSA complaint #10020797, filed 2003-05

“Vehicle had four recalls and airbag light kept flashing. Recalls were on brake hoses, front buckle assembly, electrical wiring and missing label. While driving the vehicle air bag light began to flash. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the technician indicated that the air bag module had failed. While driving the vehicle's check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken tot he dealer who indicated that the coils were cracked. Transmission line was leaking.”

NHTSA complaint #10051718, filed 2003-12

Air bags: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202614%
202512%
202445%
2023116%
202224%
202112%
202032%
201934%
201811%
2017164%
201654%
201553%
201432%
201341%
201241%
201142%
2010420%
20091620%
200855%
20071317%
20063834%
20051218%
2002177%
2001209%
2000186%
1999238%
1998114%
19973922%
1996916%
199512%

Other parts of the 1998 Kia Sportage

Engine cooling
79 complaints
Brakes
71 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
63 complaints
Electrical system
47 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaints
Body and structure
26 complaints
Suspension
26 complaints
Other or unknown
25 complaints
Fuel system
24 complaints
Equipment
19 complaints
Vehicle speed control
18 complaints
Steering
13 complaints

← All problems reported for the 1998 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