1999 Kia Sportage Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 10%of 284 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,198miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the body and structure of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 10% of the 284 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,198 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.
“I was driving on the interstate and hit a bump when my car began swaying back and forth from side to side. I had a very hard time maintaining control. I slowly drove home and upon further inspection underneath my 1999 Kia Sportage I discover the frame is totally rusted to the point of falling apart. The passenger side of the frame is almost non existent and the drivers side isn't much better there are holes and pieces of the frame gone. …”
NHTSA complaint #10548641, filed 2013-10, 122,000 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“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“Rear frame of my 1999 Kia Sportage rotted, and causing the whole rearend to shift severely. At 30mph. Causing me to park my Sportage. Rest of the frame in good shape.”
NHTSA complaint #10557195, filed 2013-12, 161,000 miles“I own a 1999 Kia Sportage and recently had it racked to see what the noise was that was coming from underneath my car. The entire undercarriage has rusted out and the fame is separating from each other, leaning on the shock absorbers on both sides, there are large holes in the fame where they have rusted through, the fuel tank and shield is rusted out and this car is a ticking time bomb, ready to fall apart, and or if anything hits the fuel tank it will disintegrate and possibly explode. This car is literally coming apart underneath.two of the doors panels underneath have rusted away. …”
NHTSA complaint #10349703, filed 2010-08, 100,198 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10201529Sep 13, 2021TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this…
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 4 | 14% |
| 2025 | 5 | 9% |
| 2024 | 8 | 11% |
| 2023 | 5 | 3% |
| 2021 | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 | 10 | 6% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 4% |
| 2017 | 24 | 6% |
| 2016 | 4 | 3% |
| 2015 | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 | 3 | 2% |
| 2013 | 6 | 2% |
| 2012 | 4 | 1% |
| 2011 | 5 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 5% |
| 2009 | 4 | 5% |
| 2008 | 13 | 13% |
| 2007 | 4 | 5% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 8 | 12% |
| 2002 | 23 | 10% |
| 2001 | 24 | 11% |
| 2000 | 31 | 10% |
| 1999 | 29 | 10% |
| 1998 | 26 | 9% |
| 1997 | 10 | 6% |
| 1996 | 3 | 5% |
| 1995 | 5 | 9% |
Other parts of the 1999 Kia Sportage
79 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
57 complaintsBrakes
44 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsFuel system
38 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsSuspension
19 complaintsSeat belts
17 complaintsOther or unknown
14 complaintsEquipment
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
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