NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 284 owner complaints for the 1999 Kia Sportage. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (74) and power train (51). 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 AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
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 |
“KEYWAY ON CRANKSHAFT WHERE TIMING GEAR ATTACHES WEARS OUT PREMATURELY AND CAN RESULT IN HAVING TO REPLACE ENGINE! I HAVE REPLACE THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR, FUEL FILTER, AND KNOCK SENSOR ALSO THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED AS THERE APPEARED TO BE A TIMING ISSUE COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM SO TOOK TO KIA DEALER TO FIND THE KEYWAY ON CRANKSHAFT TO BE SO WORN YOU COULD ALMOST TURN GEAR ALL THE WAY AROUND! IN ALL THE YEARS I HAVE BEEN WORKING ON VEHICLES THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE EVER SEEN THIS AND IS VERY OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT! *TR”
“TL* 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. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER MORE THAN THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO REMEDY THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE SEALS DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE FUEL LEAK CONTINUED AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 333,000.”
“I PURCHASED MY KIA USED, FROM A DEALER, LESS THAN A YEAR AGO, AND IT PASSED THE ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS CHECK FOR VEHICLE INSPECTION. I IMMEDIATELY HAD TO HAVE DEALER REPLACE THE GASOLINE TANK AFTER SMELLING GASOLINE. THIS CAR IS USED SOLELY FOR LIGHT USAGE TO TRANSPORT MYSELF AND MY CHILDREN TO AND FROM DR'S AND GROCERY STORES. AFTER OWNING THE CAR FOR LESS THAN TWO MONTHS, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REPORTING ISSUE WITH CATALYST. FOUND A RECALL ON THIS ISSUE AND AM TRYING TO GET ORIGINAL DEALER TO FIX. NOW EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER TO ENGAGE INCLINES OR HILLS, CAUSING A HAZARD TO OTHER DRIVERS. ALSO BACK BRAKES SIMPLY "BLEW"! WITHOUT ANY FOREWARNING, WITH MY CHILDREN IN THE CAR, I LOST ALL BRAKING ABILITIES. THANK GOODNESS I WAS NOT GOING FAST AND HAVE A STANDARD TO QUICKLY DOWNSHIFT. MY MOTHER WAS KILLED DUE TO LOSS OF BRAKES, AND IT WAS AN ABSOLUTE PANICKING SITUATION FOR ME EMOTIONALLY. BEING A SINGLE MOTHER I RELY ON MECHANICS TO DO ALL MY WORK, AND I HAD JUST HAD ALL MY FUEL LEVELS TOPPED OFF AND MY PADS CHECKED, WITHOUT ANY ISSUE FOUND. I HAVE ALSO HAD AN INTERMITTENT ISSUE WITH THE FRONT SEAT BELTS REMAINING ENGAGED. THE DEALER WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I AM…”
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 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Sportage 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Sportage 4WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 | 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 284 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (74), power train (51), service brakes, hydraulic (40). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 1999 Kia Sportage at 19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).