1998 Kia Sportage power train problems
63 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1998 Kia Sportage — 21% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The 4wd system on the 98 kia sportage is unreliable. The vacuum system, which actuates the front hubs does not work. I have had the vehicle in for this problem every winter since I purchased the vehicle in 1998. The dealers repair lasts a week or so and then fails. Unexpected lack of 4wd is a…”
filed Jan 23, 2005
“Driving uphill in one inch of snow the axel hubs on the front of vehicle did not engage causing the loss of control of the steering, sliding sideways and backwards to a stop. The parts replaced were as follows: axel hub seals, axel bearings, upper ball joint, vacuum line and realignment of front…”
filed Dec 26, 2004
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
This bulletin provides information on a change to the sportage 4wd hub seals. *tt
007R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Mar 1, 2001
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 1998 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.