1997 Kia Sportage air bags problems
39 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the air bags on the 1997 Kia Sportage — 22% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 kia sportage. When the vehicle was stationary, the air bags deployed unexpectedly while the driver and passenger seats were occupied. There were no injuries. The vehicle was towed to kia of wilmington (1603 pennsylvania ave, wilmington, de 19806, (302) 656-3100) where…”
filed Oct 16, 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 1997 kia sportage. While the vehicle was stopped, the driver's side air bag deployed without warning or impact. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer to be diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified and stated that they would open a case for…”
filed Aug 10, 2018
“While sitting in the vehicle, stationary in a parking lot talking with my wife, the airbags deployed.”
filed Jan 18, 2019
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Air Bags problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2024 Sportage | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 Sportage | 11 | 6% |
| 2022 Sportage | 2 | 4% |
| 2021 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2020 Sportage | 3 | 2% |
| 2019 Sportage | 3 | 4% |
| 2018 Sportage | 1 | 1% |
| 2017 Sportage | 16 | 4% |
| 2016 Sportage | 5 | 4% |
| 2015 Sportage | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 Sportage | 3 | 2% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1997 Kia Sportage
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.