1998 Kia Sportage Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 303 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 5,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Kia Sportage, 6% of the 303 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 5,500 miles. 2 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.
“Consumer has a concern that the speedometer needle would not register the proper speed. The needle would move back and forth while driving. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #10092377, filed 2004-09, 5,500 miles“While driving on the freeway, my car accelerated itself to 85 MPH and then became stuck. When shifted into nuetral, the RPM's continued to increase to the top of the scale. The only way we were able to stop the car was by using both feet on the brake to slow it enough in 5th gear to cause a stall. Kia and my dealership are being no help, saying that they cannot duplicate the problem. On this website, I have noticed several other complaints of this nature.”
NHTSA complaint #729657, filed 2000-08“I am so dissatisified with Kia. I have 30226 miles on my car, and I'm already having engine problems. I just got done paying $200.86 for airplugs and airfilter to be removed. Well, that didn't help the problem that I have now. When I put my car in park my RPM revs up to 5 and when I'm driving the car shifts really bad and the RPM goes to 4. Kia says they have no idea what is wrong with it, they thought it was the spark plugs causing the problems. Which I told the owner of Kia that it wasn't. But no they disagreed! …”
NHTSA complaint #753939, filed 2001-10“Final continuation 5...the fender. They kept the vehicle for another 3 days while they knocked out the dent and repainted the fender. I have only had the vehicle back for a month now and everything is happening all over again. I am now at 35,150 miles and fear that I will have to incur all of these charges for the problems that are now back and do not feel that this is right. All of these problems started happening 2 months after I bought the vehicle and have not been corrected in the 19 months I have had the vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #752479, filed 2001-09“Continuation of complaint.... I then checked the NHTSA website for recalls or service campaigns and found 3 recalls that fit in my VIN range. I immediately called Kia's 800 number and asked if my vehicle was included and was promptly told no. I believed this response since it was coming directly from the manufacturer and not the dealer. About 2 months later, I received a disturbing call from a representative from Kia consumer affairs telling me to immediately stop driving the vehicle because the same 3 recalls I saw on the NHTSA website and called to inquire about included my vehicle. …”
NHTSA complaint #752476, filed 2001-09Vehicle 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 1998 Kia Sportage
79 complaintsBrakes
71 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
63 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsSuspension
26 complaintsOther or unknown
25 complaintsFuel system
24 complaintsEquipment
19 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