1999 Kia Sportage Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 4%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 52,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 4% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,500 miles. 1 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.
“I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with less than 35,000 miles on it as of july 5, 2006. In november of 2005 I started noticing a really strong fuel smell. Shortly thereafter I noticed fluid leaking from the rear of my vehicle. I took it in around thanksgiving to find out that the gas tank had to be replaced. I had to pay almost $1,000 for this repair. Also, in may of 2006 power steering fluid leaked all over my garage while the car was in summer storage. Upon further investigation it is due to the power steering pressure hose damping pipe rusting out. …”
NHTSA complaint #10161481, filed 2006-07, 28,000 miles“Last year I had a front end alignment done on my 1999 Kia Sportage as far as I can tell the lockdown nuts were not tightened correctly causing water to get in and corroding the linkage between the tie rod ends. I happened to be moving the car this weekend and heard an awful klunking sound, upon some investigating I noticed the tie rod end just about ready to be seperated from the adjuster link. If this would have happened on the highway my wife who is primary driver of this vehicle could have been seriously hurt or could have had an accident and hurt someone else.”
NHTSA complaint #10128380, filed 2005-07, 63,000 miles“Consumer noticed red liquid on driveway. Vehicle was towed to dealership, who indicated that power steering hose rusted and broke. This was a common failure with these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10094927, filed 2004-10, 42,000 miles“I purchased my Kia Sportage 4x4 brand new in july of 1999 since I day I drove it off the lot it has been a constant source of stress and frustration. Shortly after purchasing it the check engine light would continously come on and then the car would lurch and chug. Car was towed back to the dealership and it was kept there for apporoximately 2and a half weeks. It has also had problems where it wouldn't start due to corrosion on the starter clip . This has happened twice. …”
NHTSA complaint #760149, filed 2002-04“I am the owner of a 99 Kia Sportage with only 19000 miles on it bought new with only 10 miles on it back in 99. This SUV has been nothing but problems from day one, with everything from the AC to the 4 wheel drive needing repaired twice in one day, to the most serious problem happening on 8-19-02 when my right rear anti sway bar bracket breaks away from where it was welded on the frame in the factory ( the org. Welds just broke ) as my daughter and I are driving this SUV home one evening causing this SUV to be all over the road and uncontrollable. …”
NHTSA complaint #10069532, filed 2004-01Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 4% |
| 2025 | 4 | 7% |
| 2024 | 4 | 5% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 9 | 5% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 9 | 5% |
| 2017 | 9 | 2% |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% |
| 2015 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 2 | 1% |
| 2012 | 6 | 2% |
| 2011 | 9 | 5% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 14 | 18% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 10 | 13% |
| 2006 | 3 | 3% |
| 2005 | 5 | 7% |
| 2002 | 9 | 4% |
| 2001 | 5 | 2% |
| 2000 | 8 | 3% |
| 1999 | 10 | 4% |
| 1998 | 13 | 4% |
| 1997 | 6 | 3% |
| 1996 | 1 | 2% |
| 1995 | 5 | 9% |
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 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