NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 303 owner complaints for the 1998 Kia Sportage. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (73) and service brakes, hydraulic (61). The EPA rates it 19 mpg combined.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Sportage model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 57 |
| 1997 | 187 |
| 1998 | 303 |
| 1999 | 284 |
| 2000 | 304 |
| 2001 | 228 |
| 2002 | 237 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 111 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2008 | 98 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 392 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 125 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 404 |
| 2018 | 165 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 54 |
| 2022 | 47 |
| 2023 | 194 |
| 2024 | 75 |
| 2025 | 55 |
| 2026 | 30 |
“THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC WHICH STATED THE ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION WERE MANUFACTURED IN 1997 BUT THE VEHICLE IS 1998. *NLM”
“THE ABS ON MY VEHICLE FAILS INTERMITTENTLY. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER HAS RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO PROBLEM, DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE ABS LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER CALLED KIA USA, WHO COULD OFFER NO HELP. BECAUSE THE ABS IS NOT ALWAYS RELIABLE, THE BRAKING CHARACTERISTICS OF THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY UNRELIABLE. ON 2 DECEMBER THE ABS SYSTEM SUDDENLY BECAME OPERATIONAL, CAUSING THE "FEEL" OF THE PEDAL TO CHANGE, STARTLING THE DRIVER, WHO WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BRAKING. THE VEHICLE STRUCK A CURB AND NARROWLY MISSED A TREE. *NM”
“THE 4WD SYSTEM ON THE 98 KIA SPORTAGE IS UNRELIABLE. THE VACUUM SYSTEM, WHICH ACTUATES THE FRONT HUBS DOES NOT WORK. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN FOR THIS PROBLEM EVERY WINTER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN 1998. THE DEALERS REPAIR LASTS A WEEK OR SO AND THEN FAILS. UNEXPECTED LACK OF 4WD IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *JB”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sportage 2WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,150 | 468 |
| Sportage 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,150 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,150 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,150 | 468 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 11, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 303 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (73), service brakes, hydraulic (61), power train (59). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1998 Kia Sportage at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).