Dt: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated. A diagnostic test indicated it was the maximum airflow unit. The vehicle hesitated while driving at any speed. The vehicle has not been inspected by a dealer to determine the exact problem with the vehicle. *ak updated 12/7/2005.
1998 Kia Sportage: hesitation when accelerating
6 of the 302 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage describe hesitation when accelerating.
- owner complaints
- 6
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Hesitation when accelerating by model year
What owners say
Engine connectors c144 (throttle position sensor), c129 (mass air flow sensor) and c146 (idle speed actuator) lose circuit continuity with movement of the engine causing engine hesitation, loss of power and false "check engine light " indication on the instrument panel. Wiggling the appropriate connector restores continuity temporarily but it will recur again shortly within a day or two of operating the vehicle.
Continuation of complaint.... I then checked the federal safety agency website for recalls or service campaigns and found 3 recalls that fit in my VIN range. I immediately called kia's 800 number and asked if my vehicle was included and was promptly told no. I believed this response since it was coming directly from the manufacturer and not the dealer. About 2 months later, I received a disturbing call from a representative from kia consumer affairs telling me to immediately stop driving the vehicle because the same 3 recalls I saw on the federal safety agency website and called to inquire about included my vehicle. The recalls were: brake line recall-the steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage. This condition can cause a loss of rear brake increasing the risk of a crash. Electrical wiring- 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. This condition can cause engine stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. The third recall was an obd label. I could not believe that kia put my family and me in so much danger by telling me that my vehicle was not involved. The kia representative told me that kia would provide me with a loaner vehicle. Since I knew that I could possible die by continuing to drive this vehicle, I took a day off of work and took the vehicle back to the dlr. By this time, I had kept a timetable and log of everything that had gone wrong with the vehicle and presented it to the dealer. The list included, of course, the check engine light on, hesitation on acceleration, vehicle shakes severely when the wheel is turned, the idle surges when the vehicle is stopped, the rear window defogger had come off of the vehicle, the radio had started to static and turn on loud even when it was turned off, the volume knobs on the radio worked intermittently, the windows rolled up and down
Vehicle hesitates in acceleration once consumer lifts off the gas. Engine vibrates hard and will shut off if not accelerating. Vehicle has been repaired several times to replace master air flow. Problem occurs when the A/C is on and off.
When traveling at 25 MPH and upon attempting to accelerate there is hesitation upon acceleration, vehicle does not increase speed. Please provide any further details.
When consumer is at a stop sign and then accelerates, the vehicle does not move at all like there is no gas in the vehicle while the engine is still running. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. *ak vehicle idled low, when first started in the am vehicle had no power and stumbled until it warmed up, dealer stated the iac would not open, check engine light illuminated due to the tps sensor being out of specifications. Tail light lens cracked and the dash light dimmer switch fell in the dash. Vehicle stalled due to ignition coil and spark plugs, vehicle backfired and hesitated, dealer rerouted the wiring harness and repaired the pin connectors. Vehicle overheated due to a crack in the cylinder head. Passenger side front door rattled when closing and the window was down, dealer stated this was normal. Carpet on the passenger side floor would not lie flat. Rear hatch would not pop after being unlocked, there was an internal leak from the seal. On two separate occasions, the A/C leaked on the passenger floorboard, dealer replaced the evaporator.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 1998 Kia Sportage hesitation
Is hesitation when accelerating a common problem on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
6 of 302 owner complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage (2%) mention hesitation when accelerating. The model year with the most reports is 1998.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
There are 0 recalls and 1 service bulletin 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 7Fire or smoke 7Won't start 7Engine failure 6No deployment 5
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