1998 Kia Sportage engine problems
The 1998 Kia Sportage has 93 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
93
Engine complaints
17%
Share of year
2
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD SLOW DOWN, LIKE THERE WAS NO GAS AND MOTOR SHUT DOWN. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL TAKE OFF. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY CAME ON. ONCE WHILE COMING ACROSS RAILROAD TRACKS, VEHICLE ATTEMPTED TO SLOW DOWN AND STOP, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT TOOK OFF, AND CONSUMER LOST…”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1998 Kia Sportage have?
NHTSA has 93 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sportage engine — 17% 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.