1997 Kia Sportage transmission problems
The 1997 Kia Sportage has 28 transmission complaints filed with NHTSA — 9% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
28
Transmission complaints
9%
Share of year
5
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Transmission complaints by year
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING 10-20 MPH APPLIED ON BRAKES AND WITHOUT WARNING BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION. CONSUMER THEN TRIED TO SHIFT VEHICLE MANUALLY; HOWEVER, TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED, RESULTING IN A HEAD-ON COLLISION. DRIVER SUSTAINED MAJOR LEG INJURIES. *AK CONSUMER ADDS THAT THE ACCELERATOR WAS STUCK. THE AIR…”
Common questions
How many transmission complaints does the 1997 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the 1997 Kia Sportage transmission — 9% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.