1997 Kia Sportage engine and engine cooling problems
56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 1997 Kia Sportage — 31% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Tl* - the contact owns a 1997 kia sportage. The vehicle was overheating. The contact said that the used car dealer replaced the radiator and the main hose. The vehicle continued to overheat, and when diagnosed ,the contact was told the overheating was due to the clutch overheating and the fan…”
filed Jan 9, 2007
“Kia refuses to include my 1997 sportage ex 4wd in recall for 1997 kia sportages ex 4wd. Recall 1cmp005 to replace the engine control module (ecm) has never been performed. Also not sure that recall 2cmp014 on wiring has been performed. My main concern and the refusal from kia is on the ecm. *jb”
filed Dec 12, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
PS539 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 2, 2018
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2023 Sportage | 1 | 1% |
| 2022 Sportage | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 Sportage | 5 | 10% |
| 2020 Sportage | 9 | 6% |
| 2019 Sportage | 2 | 3% |
| 2018 Sportage | 5 | 3% |
| 2017 Sportage | 8 | 2% |
| 2016 Sportage | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 Sportage | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 Sportage | 2 | 2% |
| 2013 Sportage | 14 | 4% |
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.