Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 383 complaints with NHTSA about the 1998 Kia Sportage, and it carries 5 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 57 | 15% |
| Service brakes | 48 | 13% |
| Power train | 42 | 11% |
| Electrical system | 26 | 7% |
| Equipment | 17 | 4% |
| Structure | 16 | 4% |
| Suspension | 16 | 4% |
| Visibility | 15 | 4% |
| Fuel system | 13 | 3% |
| Vehicle speed control | 11 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
RIGHT REAR FRAME RUSTED THROUGH COMPLETELY STABLIZER RUSTED OFF FRAME
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
MY STEERING COLUMN DOESN'T LOCK WHEN I TURN OFF THE ENGINE. IT HAS ALSO STARTED FAILING TO START BUT WHEN WE JUMPSTART IT IT RESPONDS IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE LEARNED; THAT SOMETIMES IF I ROCK IT OR PUSH IT A FEW FEET IT WI
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
REAR FRAME RUST/ROT IS INCREDIBLY EXCESSIVE. NOTICED TODAY WHILE CHECKING TIRE PRESSURE. ENTIRE UNDERSIDE OF FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH. REAR CROSS MEMBER IN TERRIBLE SHAPE. VISIBLE DETERIORATION HAPPENED QUI
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
I CANNOT FASTEN MY SEATBELT BECAUSE IT WILL NOT EXTEND. I WENT TO POWER KIA IN SALEM, OR AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR IT UNLESS I PAY FOR REPAIRS. SEEING HOW THIS IS A PRODUCT DEFECT CAUSING A SAFETY ISSUE, I FEEL THE MANUF
NHTSA complaint: Seat belts
DRIVER AND PASSENGER SCALDED WITH BOILING RADIATOR FLUID WITH FOOT ON PEDAL, HAD TO KEEP FOOT ON PETAL TO GET OFF ROAD ON MAY 30, 2013, AT APPROX. 4:30 PM EDT, I WAS DRIVING MY 1998 KIA SPORTAGE ON THE GARDEN STATE PA
NHTSA complaint: Steering
THIS IS A REPEAT OF CONFIRMATION NO. 10514519, BUT WITH "WAS THERE AN INJURY OR FATALITY? MARKED "YES" ABOVE. DRIVER AND PASSENGER SCALDED WITH BOILING RADIATOR FLUID WITH FOOT ON PEDAL, HAD TO KEEP FOOT ON PETAL TO G
NHTSA complaint: Steering
EXTREME CORROSION AT REAR OF FRAME WHERE AXLE IS SUPPORTED READY TO COLLAPSE AND WILL REQUIRE REMEDIATION TO PREVENT FRAME FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA complaint: Structure
FUEL TANK IS LEAKING, WIDESPREAD PROBLEM, KIA WILL ONLY REPLACE TANK IF THE LEAK IS ON THE VERY BOTTOM OF TANK. THEY ARE SAYING MINE IS LEAKING AT THE SEAM. I VERY DANGEROUS PROBLEM NO MATTER WHERE THE TANK IS LEAKING. I
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 1998 Kia Sportage. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Fix: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES. 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.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE ENGINE STALLING, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES WITHOUT AN ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS). THE STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING CAN CONTACT A HYDRAULIC BRAKE PIPE CAUSING FLUID LEAKAGE.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE A LOSS OF REAR BRAKE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, INCREASE THE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BRAKE PIPE AND STEERING INTERMEDIATE SHAFT COUPLING.
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
Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
| Reliability raw | 77 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 77 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 79 | good |
| Performance | 50 | average |
| Efficiency | 36 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other other in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 383 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and engine and engine cooling is the most reported area with 57 of them (15%). There are 5 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 77/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 77/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 1998 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.