The 1997 Kia Sportage has 217 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 3 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and engine cooling and air bags. Owners most often flag dealership service and warranty claim disputes: poor communication, lengthy repair times, denials of coverage for known issues (e.g., engine oil consumption, failed components). frequency: very frequent.
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 1997 Kia Sportage vehicles (US, public record).
Across the 15 Sportage model years we track, complaint volume runs from 20 (2010) to 383 (1998). With 217 complaints, the 1997 Sportage sits abovethe model's median of 122.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Campaign 02V216000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
electrical system:wiring
Campaign 99V325000VEHICLE 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 …
latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock
Campaign 97V234000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Sentiment is sharply divided, creating a polarized ownership experience. Positive feedback centers on the vehicle's strong value proposition, modern interior styling, generous feature content, and practical packaging, with specific praise…
Owner insights cover all generations of the Sportage. See the full Sportage owner picture and every model year.
Used Sportage listings typically run $26,173–$31,897 across 2016 to 2026 model years.
Compare every Sportage year side by side to see how 1997 ranks against the rest.