1998 Kia Sportage Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 9%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 79,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the suspension of the 1998 Kia Sportage, 9% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 79,000 miles. 1 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.
“First time I brought the car back was because the engine light went on and I had a oil leakage in the engine. Car started to shake even after it was hot and made a weird noise in the engine. The motor rr window was not working and the brakes were making some weird noise. Brought to the dealer to fix and he sent it to Kia for repair, the Kia crew found the front caliper frozen, but the customer denied to fix it. So I brought it to a specialist to check double check the car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10009850, filed 2002-04, 51,000 miles“Driving uphill in one inch of snow the axel hubs on the front of vehicle did not engage causing the loss of control of the steering, sliding sideways and backwards to a stop. The parts replaced were as follows: axel hub seals, axel bearings, upper ball joint, vacuum line and realignment of front end.”
NHTSA complaint #10104517, filed 2004-12, 73,475 miles“While driving the right front bearing seized to the hub. The consumer contacted Kia who informed the consumer that there were no recalls for wheel bearings and/or spindle.”
NHTSA complaint #8022694, filed 2002-11, 83,358 miles“I purchased a leftover new 1998 Sportage 4x4 on 4/12/99. The vehicle was manufactured on 3/31/98. I brought my vehicle for autobody repairs on thursday 5/13/99 with 592 miles on it. When I picked up my vehicle on moday 5/17/99 with 594 miles on it the lifters were making a horrible tapping noise. I was informed by the service manager that the noise was due to the vehicle being in storage for over a year and when purchased by myself that a new oil filter and oil change should have been done. After numerous attempts I finally got him to put it in writing and I now have the document as proof. …”
NHTSA complaint #706599, filed 1999-05“While driving 20 MPH and when applying the brakes a thumping noise was heard coming from the passenger side wheel.consumer was able to drive the vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic replaced wheel bearing.”
NHTSA complaint #10064650, filed 2004-03Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 | 1 | 1% |
| 2020 | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 | 1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 2 | 3% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 3% |
| 2006 | 5 | 5% |
| 2005 | 7 | 10% |
| 2002 | 12 | 5% |
| 2001 | 20 | 9% |
| 2000 | 23 | 8% |
| 1999 | 19 | 7% |
| 1998 | 26 | 9% |
| 1997 | 7 | 4% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 6 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1998 Kia Sportage
79 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
63 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsEquipment
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
18 complaintsSteering
13 complaintsAir bags
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 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