1998 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1998 Kia Sportage: 3 recalls, 303 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #98V222000 · 1998 · 39,656 vehicles
What's wrong: The steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.
Why it matters: This condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.
Electrical Vehicle recall #99V325000 · 1999 · 76,986 vehicles
What's wrong: The wires connected to the c123 and c124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.
Why it matters: This condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. In addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #02V216000 · 2002 · 189,706 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle May "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Owner notification began December 20, 2002.
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E012000 · 2009 · 16,270 vehicles
What's wrong: These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009.
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: Dope, Inc. is recalling 42,540 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 6 mention a fire, 9 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (79): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (33), warning light on (11), electrical failure (11).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (70): the most common themes are noise or vibration (20), brake failure / soft pedal (8).
- Transmission & drivetrain (63): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (10), noise or vibration (9).
- Electrical (47): the most common themes are electrical failure (29), stalls / loses power (13), warning light on (10).
The 1998 Kia Sportage has 303 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (2.0× the average Sportage year). Complaints peaked in 1999 (75 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1997 (181 complaints, 3 recalls), 1999 (284 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1998 Kia Sportage.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1998 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 1998 Kia Sportage, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1998 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 303 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (79), brakes (hydraulic) (70), transmission & drivetrain (63).
What gas mileage does the 1998 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1998 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.