This vehicle is garbage - both front window motors-replaced. Transmission replaced, and is now acting up again. Rear-end replaced, acting up, engine squeals, dealer can't hear it, burning anti-freeze smell upon warmup, temp gauge goes crazy, in 4wd vehicle does not want to turn, only wants to go straight, makings hard "clunking" noise if you attempt to turn. The yugo was a better vehicle!
1997 Kia Sportage engine complaints
Page 3 of 3: complaints 41 to 56 of 56, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Engine check light is on, the car is stalling, the air bag lights are on. I am afraid that they will deploy at any given time. Almost killed myself and my daughter on the queenboro bridge, I was going 40 and all of a sudden the car accelerated on it's own, I applied the brakes, but they had turned hard, I had no brakes, put emergency brakes, but nothing, when it was nearing an accident because I had to stop I threw the car in neutral which slowed it down enough for me to safely put it in park in the middle of a bridge. The cars engine roared when I put in park I couldn't move or fear of killing myself. The locks on the car keep opening and closing by themself. It needs 2 quarts of engine oil every month. I am totally dissatisfied with this car.
Consumer experiencing ongoing problem with vehicle stalling wiithout warning. Vehicle been inspected by dealer on two occasions and was unable to correct or duplicate the problem.
Consumer experiencing problem with vehicle intermittently stalling while driving. And whenever vehicle reaches speed of 15 -50 MPH. Vehicle have been inspected by dealer, informed consumer that the problem could not be duplicated.
While driving at any speed the vehicle gives no prior warning. The engine check light coming on. Contacted dealer , can't find the problem. Vehicle has been in the shop three times. *ak check engine light comes on and engine stalles at times while driving due to egr valve failure. Hood release handle was broke. Right front hubcap fell off. Radio bezel was broke.
Water pump failed causing noise.
While driving vehicle intermittently shut down without cause. Vehicle been in/out of dealer shop more then nine occasions, and condition cannot be resolved. Dealer/manufacturer notified.
While driving vehicle about any MPH and when making a turn or just driving, the engine stalled without a warning.
Auto leaking fluid near engine. In addition, intermittent stalling/electrical door and window switch failed, and engine check light comes on/off.
When traveling at any speed the vehicle will cut off without prior warning . Consumer has contacted the dealer, dealer unable to determine the problem.
When the check engine light comes on the vehicle starts bucking. Has been to dealer 3 times in a month. Dealer claims the vehicle is fixed now.
Engine experiences trouble continuously.
Intermittent stalling.
Alarm failed.
Consumer's vehicle has been stalling at any speed over 55mph. When consumer is driving vehicle, without any warning, the vehicle will stall. She has had vehicle towed four times, and the other two times were not documented. Consumer contacted the lemon law in her state, and was told that the law did not apply because there was no documetation that the vehicle would not start. There has been times when vehicle would not start. Only after vehicle has stalled that it would not start for approx 5/10 minutes.
While driving slowly or stepping on brakes the engine dies out without warning. Also, it just dies out when have to make an emergency stop. The vehicle will start back up, but will do the same thing again. In addition, engine dies when driving slowly over bumpy roads/slowing around corfners.
VIN decoder
See the problems and recalls for an exact car
Buying a used 1997 Kia Sportage?
Check the exact car before you pay: accidents, salvage or flood titles, odometer readings and previous owners.
Check its history