1999 Kia Sportage Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 1%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 250,695miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the engine of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 1% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 250,695 miles.
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.
“The contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 15 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but they did not inspect the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 168,390. Updated 02/03/2014 updated 02/24/14”
NHTSA complaint #10559564, filed 2014-01, 168,390 miles“The contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted strong fuel fumes on the exterior and the interior. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact also stated that the timing belt failed three times and was replaced by a mechanic. The drive train failed once and was replaced by a mechanic. The crank shaft was also replaced once. The contact also was experiencing a transmission failure in which the gears slipped randomly and were slow to change over. …”
NHTSA complaint #10778236, filed 2015-09, 333,000 milesEngine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 7 | 13% |
| 2024 | 11 | 15% |
| 2023 | 38 | 20% |
| 2022 | 21 | 46% |
| 2021 | 23 | 43% |
| 2020 | 79 | 48% |
| 2019 | 37 | 52% |
| 2018 | 91 | 55% |
| 2017 | 222 | 55% |
| 2016 | 62 | 46% |
| 2015 | 84 | 58% |
| 2014 | 73 | 58% |
| 2013 | 301 | 79% |
| 2012 | 328 | 84% |
| 2011 | 77 | 43% |
| 2010 | 2 | 10% |
| 2009 | 10 | 13% |
| 2008 | 17 | 17% |
| 2007 | 8 | 10% |
| 2006 | 15 | 14% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 1% |
| 2001 | 1 | 0% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1999 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 1999 Kia Sportage
79 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
57 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEquipment
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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