1999 Kia Sportage Problems

What owners report

Owners of the 1999 Kia Sportage most often describe rust-related problems, especially a rear frame that rots through and makes the vehicle sway or feel hard to control, and a fuel tank that rusts through and leaks. A second cluster covers engine stalling and timing-belt or crankshaft failures, along with 4WD hubs that fail to engage and transmission slipping at higher mileage. Many complaints come from long-term owners at moderate to high mileage, and several say the dealer or the manufacturer declined to assist.

1. 1
   Body and structure

   Rear frame rust-through and swaying

   Mentioned in 15 of 60 sampled complaints

   Complaints describe the rear frame and the area around the rear suspension rusting through, sometimes leaving holes or letting the frame separate. Owners report the vehicle swaying side to side or shaking at speed, and in some cases the frame was found cracked where the suspension attaches. Several say a mechanic or dealer inspector told them the frame could not be repaired or the vehicle should not be driven, and a few report the manufacturer or dealer declined to help. Mostly reported between roughly 72,000 and 160,000 miles on vehicles many years old, often in states that use road salt.

   What to check: Have the rear frame and suspension mounting points inspected on a lift before buying, especially on a vehicle from a salt-belt state. Look for flaking rust, holes, or separation around the rear axle and gas tank mounts.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “My wife was driving on I-80 when the vehicle swayed very badly and almost hit a another vehicle. She immediately slowed and exited the highway. Upon inspection the frame severed and broke where the suspension attaches to the frame right behind the rear tire on the passenger side of the vehicle. This vehicle is a death trap... The mechanic and my insurance adjusted said my wife must have an angel watching over her.”

   NHTSA complaint #10272656, filed 2009-06, 84,000 miles

   “I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with 55,000 miles on it. The entire frame is rotted and rusted out. Cannot drive the vehicle in safety. Will not pass inspection. I have 6 more months of payments I want to know what I can do about this? This is unacceptable. 3 dealerships would not even take it as a trade! I was told not to drive the vehicle because the gastank could fall down if I hit a bump in the road and the vehicle could explode.”

   NHTSA complaint #10359438, filed 2010-10, 55,000 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Fuel tank and lines rusted, gas smell and leaks

   • 27 complaints (10%)
   • median 87,000 mi at 9.5 yrs old (20 state mileage)
   • filed 2000–2015

   Owners describe a strong gasoline smell inside or outside the vehicle, sometimes most noticeable right after filling the tank, and fluid dripping from the rear. Mechanics typically found the tank rusted through or the fuel lines rusted and leaking, and the tank or lines were replaced. Some owners report a dealer citing a service campaign or recall for the tank but saying the vehicle's VIN was not covered or the program had expired. Usually reported between about 33,000 and 160,000 miles, often on vehicles that sit or see winter road salt.

   1 related service bulletin

   What to check: Smell around the filler neck and under the rear of the vehicle after a fill-up, and look for damp or rusty spots on the tank and lines. Ask whether the fuel tank replacement program for 1997-2000 Sportages was ever carried out on this vehicle.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1999 Kia Sportage, had a gas leak got it repaired with a new tank last year, still have a gas smell. I have taken it back several times for the smell they cannot find the problem, of course this is my regular mechanic not a Kia dealer. Now the frame is busted from premature rusting and disintegration which is holding up the gas tank. Check engine light is constantly on for evap leak . No power when A/C is running. A/c now has leak. Constantly smell a burning smell just before the check engine light comes on. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10274436, filed 2009-06, 89,000 miles

   “I had just filled gas tank with unleaded gas. When I noticed a strong gas smell. The car sits all day. I only move it for emissions each year I work from home. They tested and told me evap emission control sys malf. The guy said he could see gas leaking from my fuel line. He said it was a recall on this to check with Kia. Kia told me my VIN number did not match the recall. This car does not see alot of action there is no reason other than a few good snows that may have rusted the tank other wise why would my tank all of a sudden leak gas. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10569244, filed 2014-03, 124,971 miles
3. 3
   Engine cooling

   Engine stalling and crankshaft or timing belt failure

   • 54 complaints (19%)
   • median 68,100 mi at 6.9 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Complaints describe the engine stalling at speed or after starting, sometimes restarting after a pause and sometimes not. Several owners report the crankshaft or its keyway wearing or snapping, which disconnects the timing belt pulleys and stops the engine, and some had the timing belt replaced more than once. Dealers in these accounts often could not identify a cause, and some owners mention warranty coverage had ended. Reported from about 36,000 to 168,000 miles, with several cases in the 50,000-90,000 mile range.

   What to check: Ask for timing belt service records and how recently the belt was changed, and listen for rough idle or hesitation on a test drive. A compression or diagnostic check can help reveal a worn crankshaft keyway.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “1999 Kia Sportage has had timing belt replaced three times since I bought car new in 1999. While traveling on nj turnpike, what we believed was the timing belt yet again was the crank shaft at the harmonic balance (which holds the timing belt in place) completely snapped into two pieces inside the engine. I spoke to several different Kia service departments who advised me that this was not a normal thing and was in no way due to something we could have done. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10134824, filed 2005-08, 62,500 miles

   “I am the owner of a 99 Kia Sportage with only 60043 miles. I bought the vehicle brand new. The vehicle stalled at 40 MPH, luckily, it did not stalled at 75 MPH while I was taking one of my daily trips to ok city because it would have been disastrous. The crankshaft sheared off flush with the engine housing leaving the main and timing belt pulleys disconnected from the engine. As consequent, the engine stalled leaving the vehicle without power in the middle of traffic. No one was hurt or killed because of this. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10111887, filed 2005-02, 60,043 miles
4. 4
   Electrical system

   Electrical stalls and wiring connector faults

   • 31 complaints (11%)
   • median 69,000 mi at 6.9 yrs old (9 state mileage, few)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2008

   Owners describe stalling, a vehicle that takes a long time to start, and dashboard lights staying on and draining the battery. Some report repeated blown fuses and a check-engine light that returns after service visits. Several complaints reference recall 99V325000 for wiring and connectors and say the dealer told them their VIN was not included. Mostly reported between about 55,000 and 100,000 miles.

   Recall 99V325000

   What to check: Ask whether recall 99V325000 was performed for this VIN, and check that battery, charging and lighting behave normally. Watch for dash lights that stay on after the key is removed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “I have a 1999 Kia Sportage. On 23 april, 2003 I accelerated after stopping at a stop sign at an intersection and all of a sudden I heard a clunk sound coming from my transmission, my vehicle stalled in the middle of the intersection and the hold light and the check engine light came on. I was able to get the vehicle moving again after a few seconds and after checking things out in a local parking lot and not seeing anything wrong under the hood I took it to a local dealer to get fixed. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10016560, filed 2003-04, 53,230 miles

   “Ecm not operable (check engine light reoccurring after service visits) going on 8 visis to the dealership for check engine light. 2 misdiagnosis , gas cap not tight enough, fuel canister valve. Purchased used 2 months ago, problem occurred 1 month after ownership. Have warranty with deductible. Have researched make and model history and fear that safety is a factor. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10038676, filed 2003-09, 55,500 miles
5. 5
   Transmission and drivetrain

   4WD hubs and transmission problems

   • 58 complaints (20%)
   • median 65,529 mi at 7.2 yrs old (16 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 1999–2015

   Owners of four-wheel-drive models report the front hubs failing to engage even though the indicator shows engagement, and one owner had the hubs repaired repeatedly. Others describe the transmission slipping gears or a clunk followed by a stall and warning lights, with a mechanic recommending replacement. Some also mention driveshaft wear and vibration. Reported from about 52,000 to 189,000 miles, including several cases above 100,000 miles.

   What to check: On a 4WD example, test that the hubs engage on a loose surface and that the indicator matches actual traction. Check for delayed or slipping shifts and listen for clunks or vibration on acceleration.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “The automatic locking hubs on my '99 Kia Sportage have failed again. This is 4 times in 4 years. I have had a vacuum line replaced and the entire front assembly replaced. Last year they would not work during a snow storm , causing me to almost get stuck in a snow drift. Had the vehicle to the dealer a week later---and they were working. Temperatures were warmer when the dealer looked at them. During recent snow storm (12/5/03) hubs once again would not engage. Indicator light is on, but the rear wheels spin in the snow. Don't know what to do. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10049329, filed 2003-12, 52,000 miles

   “Vehicle had driveshaft replaced every 20,000 miles due to wear. Consumer believed that when the vehicle is driven on wet road condition, water is getting into the seal. Dealer was notified. Please provide any further information.”

   NHTSA complaint #10083276, filed 2004-07, 30,000 miles

Buying note. This model year is old enough that rust, not mileage, is often the deciding factor: a careful underbody inspection of the rear frame and fuel tank matters more than the odometer. Ask for service records on the timing belt, fuel tank, and any recall work, and budget for repairs that may not have been done.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.