Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1997 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The day before the accident, the vehicle suddenly accelerated, and would not slow down. I was able to get it into neutral, and then into park. It did not do this on 1.5 hour trip home. I called the service manager at paramount Kia the next day. He advised me that he had not heard of any such problems. While attempting to drive to that dealership, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and would not slow down. The brakes would not respond, and this time the transmission would no disengage into neutral. I was not able to control the vehicle, and crashed. I have just been made aware of a similar incident involving a Kia sephia, which was reported in a local paper. The elderly driver crashed when his vehicle accelerated out of control. A post from fence he hit impaled him in the chest.
While driving 10-20 MPH applied on brakes and without warning brakes did not function. Consumer then tried to shift vehicle manually; however, transmission malfunctioned, resulting in a head-on collision. Driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer adds that the accelerator was stuck. The air bags failed to deploy.
While driving at 10-15 MPH applied brakes and without warning, brakes did not function, driver had to run a red light, resulting in a head on collision, driver sustained major leg injuries. Consumer states that the airbag failed. Consumer also states that the accelerator and transmission stuck.
The SRS air bag light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. The cruise control failed to come on its own. The clock spring needed to be replaced. The air bag light had been on for a year. The consumer was informed that the front seat belts needed to be replaced.
While driving at 10-15 MPH, front of the vehicle was hit and none of the air bags deployed. Contacted dealer. Consumer adds the brakes failed. The transmission failed. Experiencing problems with the accelerator.
While driving 10-15 MPH and without warning, was involved in a head-on collision in which the air bags did not deploy, driver sustained major injuries. The transmission jammed and the accelerator stuck.
Coming to a stop sign, applied brakes and the clutch, vehicle accelerated by itself, lost control, ended up hitting 3 trees and then a house head-on. Driver's air bag did not deploy, sustained chest injuries.
When putting vehicle into reverse and letting up on the clutch vehicle accelereated into reverse and ran over a mailbox. Driver had pushed clutch and brake in order to stop. Engine still ran high.
Engine check light is on, the car is stalling, the air bag lights are on. I am afraid that they will deploy at any given time. Almost killed myself and my daughter on the queenboro bridge, I was going 40 and all of a sudden the car accelerated on it's own, I applied the brakes, but they had turned hard, I had no brakes, put emergency brakes, but nothing, when it was nearing an accident because I had to stop I threw the car in neutral which slowed it down enough for me to safely put it in park in the middle of a bridge. The cars engine roared when I put in park I couldn't move or fear of killing myself. The locks on the car keep opening and closing by themself. It needs 2 quarts of engine oil every month. I am totally dissatisfied with this car.
While driving down highway when approximately at 55mph engine will stall. Slow down and stop without warning. Most of the time I can turn engine off restart run it thru all of the gears and it will be fine for awhile unless on bumpy road or stop warning bumps in the road. I can not fill gas tank up due to it leaking out under vehicle refrase that pour out. It will also vibrate really bad after being drove for over 2 hours straight. Please help me to resolve these problems before it causes a injury or death.
Acceleration complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 1997 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 1997 Kia Sportage, 12% of the model year's 181 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1997 Kia Sportage acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 1997 Kia Sportage, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 1997 Kia Sportage acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 60,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 7 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.