1997 Kia Sportage power train problems
25 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1997 Kia Sportage — 14% 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
“In may 5, 2003 I took to inspect the car for a noise at the back. Its like being on a plane for departure. I was told by the dealer that the back differentials was damaged. It only had 25,317 mileage in 2003. I could not believe that. This year 2005 a inspect the car at wester auto I was told the…”
filed Apr 19, 2005
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 6 | 12% |
| 2024 Sportage | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 Sportage | 18 | 10% |
| 2022 Sportage | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 Sportage | 3 | 6% |
| 2020 Sportage | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 Sportage | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 Sportage | 17 | 11% |
| 2017 Sportage | 40 | 10% |
| 2016 Sportage | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 Sportage | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 Sportage | 4 | 3% |
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.