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 parkway north, just after entering the highway at exit 98 in wall, nj. The air conditioner had not been working well. The local temperature was in the high 90s, near 100 degrees. I had a passenger in the front passenger seat. Suddenly, anti-freeze smoke came out of the dashboard vents, then, hot scalding anti-freeze began falling on my right foot as it was on the accelerator pedal. At the same time, the front-seat passenger was also getting scalded. In my case, I sustained a 1st to 2nd degree burn on my right small (pinky) toe, which was blistered. It was fortunate that I was able to get off at the monmouth service area at milepost 100 in wall, nj. My view is that this is a serious safety issue caused by design oversight, not merely a maintenance issue on a old car. For example, if a heater core breaks and does not heat, that is a maintenance problem. However, if it breaks and an unexpected driver gets hurt, and compounded, loses control of the vehicle, and moreover, has to put his foot back onto the accelerator pedal to control the car in a hot-liquid stream, this is an unacceptable safety condition due to failure to safely contain hot liquids.
1998 Kia Sportage: fire, smoke or burning smell
7 of the 302 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 7
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 1
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
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 get off road. On may 30, 2013, at approx. 4:30pm edt, I was driving my 1998 kia sportage on the garden state parkway north, just after entering the highway at exit 98 in wall, nj. The air conditioner had not been working well. The local temperature was in the high 90s, near 100 degrees. I had a passenger in the front passenger seat. Suddenly, anti-freeze smoke came out of the dashboard vents, then, hot scalding anti-freeze began falling on my right foot as it was on the accelerator pedal. At the same time, the front-seat passenger was also getting scalded. In my case, I sustained a 1st to 2nd degree burn on my right small (pinky) toe, which was blistered. It was fortunate that I was able to get off at the monmouth service area at milepost 100 of the garden state parkway in wall, nj. My view is that this is a serious safety issue caused by design oversight, not merely a maintenance issue on a old car. For example, if a heater core breaks and does not heat, that is a maintenance problem. However, if it breaks and an unexpected driver gets hurt, and compounded, loses control of the vehicle, and moreover, has to put his foot back onto the accelerator pedal to control the car in a hot-liquid stream, this is an unacceptable safety condition due to failure to safely contain hot liquids.
I drove our SUV about 2 miles parked it in the garage and noticed a burning smell. I noticed the clock,radio, door locks, and passenger window were not working. I drove the car the next day for a short distance to work. Than called kia talked to a janson cook who checked my vehicle for recall on this wiring. He said my sportage was not on file for the VIN# and would not be fixed under the recall. I checked the internet and the 1998 sportages had a recall for a c123 and c124 cable which became loose and could cause a crash or us of my SUV. I than called the federal safety agency and talked to kim she said file a complaint. I am afraid to drive for long distances more the 5 miles without something happening to cause me or someone else injury. The recall notice is 99v325000 this to fix the loose wiring that can cause SUV to stop completely causing injury or loss of vehicle control.
Brakes continually experiencing problems, several repairs (rotors,pads,valve, etc.), however brakes overheated on one occasion and caught fire, possible design flaw.
Instrument lights and tail lights do not light up due to fuse problems. There may be a short circuit in the electrical system. Burning smell while driving vehicle. I am not able to drive at night.
Engine check light came on and the vehicle stalled out. Smelled a burning smell, dealer contacted, and attributed the problem to faulty wiring, under warrany, repair work done.
The engine check light comes on and won't go off. When the car is turned off can smell something burning. Dealer can't find problem.
Related recalls
Electrical system: wiring
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 99V325000 · Recall details
Questions about the 1998 Kia Sportage fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
7 of 302 owner complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 2017.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
There is 1 recall and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 1998 Kia Sportage
Stalling 41Check engine light 18Grinding brakes 15Loss of power 8Door locks 7Won't start 7Engine failure 6Hesitation 6No deployment 5
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