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1999 Kia Sportage body problems

29 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 100,198. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
29
of this car's complaints
10%
typical mileage
100,198
crashes
1
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Frame and members
    10
  • Body
    6
  • Frame and members: underbody shields
    4
  • Body: door
    4
  • Body: tailgate
    1
  • Body: roof and pillars
    1
  • Body: hood
    1
  • Body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Kia Sportage body problems in other years

1995200020052010201520202026

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 1999 Kia Sportage owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 3, 2014 · Body · 160,000 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently and caused that contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was corrosion on the rear end of the vehicle after he regained control, stopped and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.

Filed Dec 24, 2013 · Body, Suspension · 161,000 miles · OH

Rear frame of my 1999 kia sportage rotted, and causing the whole rearend to shift severely. At 30mph. Causing me to park my sportage. Rest of the frame in good shape.

Filed Dec 16, 2013 · Body · 94,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when a larger truck passed him on the roadway and caused the contact's vehicle to swerve into another lane. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.

Filed Oct 20, 2013 · Body · 122,000 miles · IL

I was driving on the interstate and hit a bump when my car began swaying back and forth from side to side. I had a very hard time maintaining control. I slowly drove home and upon further inspection underneath my 1999 kia sportage I discover the frame is totally rusted to the point of falling apart. The passenger side of the frame is almost non existent and the drivers side isn't much better there are holes and pieces of the frame gone. I have been reading on line that this is a huge problem my 11 year old daughter or myself could have been killed because of this defect, please do something so others will not have to worry about this.

Filed Oct 26, 2011 · Body · 72,083 miles · WV

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. The contact took the vehicle for an oil change and was told that the frame of the vehicle was rusted completely. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where an engineer for the manufacturer inspected and determined that the rear frame was severely rusted and could not be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileage was 72,083.

Filed Jun 23, 2011 · Body · 88,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sportage. While driving 50 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle began to sway back and forth. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where they advised that the vehicle had rusted from the chassis on the rear passenger side. The mechanic also advised that the failure was non-repairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to assist. The failure and current mileage was 88,000. Updated 9/16/11 *cn updated 2/9/12

Filed Feb 3, 2011 · Body, Fuel system · 160,000 miles · PA

1995 to 2002 kia sportages frames are rotting out and gas tanks leaking also. Kia refuses to repair or put out a recall on this issue. Vehicles are a safety issue to the public. Ford windstars had similar problems from 1998 to 2003 back axle rotting out, they are taking action and owning up to the problem. I have been a state inspection mechanic for the state of pa. For 35yrs this defect is going to cause several crashes, maybe deaths. Kia is not concerned about this matter any help would be great. Thanks

Filed Oct 6, 2010 · Body · 55,000 miles · MA

I have a 1999 kia sportage with 55,000 miles on it. The entire frame is rotted and rusted out. Cannot drive the vehicle in safety. Will not pass inspection. I have 6 more months of payments I want to know what I can do about this? This is unacceptable. 3 dealerships would not even take it as a trade! I was told not to drive the vehicle because the gastank could fall down if I hit a bump in the road and the vehicle could explode.

Filed Sep 22, 2010 · Body · 139,000 miles · NJ

1999 kia sportage. I have owned it since 2008. I have had the gas tank patched 3 times, then completely replaced cost of over 400 dollars. My mechanic said the tank kept rusting no matter what he tried and it was defective. All rear brakes twice and now with even new lever and other parts 420 dollars. Now the car is undriveable due to the rear frame which has cracked and separated causing the car to sway and making steering extremely difficult. I thought it was a shock that broke when I heard the clunking sound, took it to the mechanic who informed me the car was to unsafe to drive because the frame is swinging all around. I have no other vehicle and two children am a single parent. Now I can't get to work, appointments, schools ect.

Filed Aug 16, 2010 · Body, Fuel system · 100,198 miles · OH

I own a 1999 kia sportage and recently had it racked to see what the noise was that was coming from underneath my car. The entire undercarriage has rusted out and the fame is separating from each other, leaning on the shock absorbers on both sides, there are large holes in the fame where they have rusted through, the fuel tank and shield is rusted out and this car is a ticking time bomb, ready to fall apart, and or if anything hits the fuel tank it will disintegrate and possibly explode. This car is literally coming apart underneath.two of the doors panels underneath have rusted away. Everything is rusted and it scares me to death to be driving it now that I have seen the undercarriage. I have many photos to submit for proof of the problem.apparently this car has been rusting for some time and I have never noticed it. I bought it brand new in september of 1999. It has prematurely rusted out unlike most vehicles which last for many years. I was informed by my brother this past summer and he told me that there was a service campaign on the fuel tank but when I took it to the dealer, they said it was past the 10 year mark by a few months and they wouldn't do anything about it. I have been in contact with kia to gather information about recalls and service campaign notices of which I only was notified about 3 or 4 of them shortly after I purchased it.

Questions about the 1999 Kia Sportage body

Does the 1999 Kia Sportage have body problems?

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the body of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 10% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 1999 Kia Sportage body problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 100,198 miles.

Was there a recall on the 1999 Kia Sportage body?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Kia Sportage have the most body problems?

The Kia Sportage model years with the most body complaints are 2000 (31 complaints), 1999 (29 complaints) and 1998 (26 complaints).

Other 1999 Kia Sportage problems

Engine 81Transmission 57Brakes 44Electrical 41Fuel system 38Visibility 27Airbags 23Suspension 19Seat belts 17Acceleration 11Steering 10Tires 9Lights 7Locks 3Wheels 3Seats 1

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