Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
While at a complete stop in driveway of home, I went to put the car in park and it just took off, I tried braking , but it continued to go forward straight through the garage door at a very high speed, front air bag did not deploy. Contacted dealer about problem, had car towed to them. They stated they had never had any complaints about this . Contacted the 1-800-4kia help line and was told I was the third complaint about this. Dealer is now trying to tell me this was a brake problem, it is not a brake problem, front brakes had just been replaced by an automotive repair establishment using certified parts from the Kia dealer. Also, while driving the sound of air is coming in making me think a window is down , but no windows are down. The car failed to start one day and we ckecked the battery, which by the way the manual states is maintence free, but is not, you have to put water in it. …
First time I brought the car back was because the engine light went on and I had a oil leakage in the engine. Car started to shake even after it was hot and made a weird noise in the engine. The motor rr window was not working and the brakes were making some weird noise. Brought to the dealer to fix and he sent it to Kia for repair, the Kia crew found the front caliper frozen, but the customer denied to fix it. So I brought it to a specialist to check double check the car. They found the following defects and found the car unsafe (caliper rgt worn, frozen, caliper hardware worn, wheel cyl rgt- new/kit leaky, shoe hardware worn, c.v. Boot/joint rfo/rfi/lfo/lfi worn, coil springs front broken rr broken, ball joints/lower l worn). …
The front ABS system activates while in a slow tight turn and brakes applied, when this happens the vehicle will not stop and the brake pedal and front end shake and vibrate. This happens while turning into parking spaces or making a u turn either direction, and it happens all the time. The dealer said that Kia knows about it and that it is normal. I almost hit a child in in a parking lot because the car would not stop, when the ABS system is activated at slow speeds the car is almost impossible to stop no matter how hard you apply the brakes. This is a very serious problem and Kia should find a way to fix it since they are aware of this problem. The car has been in for repairs on this problem 8 times in 10 months. Please help.
The ABS on my vehicle fails intermittently. I have taken it to the dealer. The dealer has run diagnostics and told me that there is no problem, despite the fact that the ABS light is illuminated. The dealer called Kia USA, who could offer no help. Because the ABS is not always reliable, the braking characteristics of this vehicle are very unreliable. On 2 December the ABS system suddenly became operational, causing the "feel" of the pedal to change, startling the driver, who was in the process of braking. The vehicle struck a curb and narrowly missed a tree.
I purchased this vehicle jan of 1999, it had 18,000 miles. Aprroximately two months after purchase of this vehicle I noticed the front hubs and rims lined with grease and oil. I informed both the dealer I purchased it from, and the Kia service department there was a problem with the vehical. They said they would not take care of it. From that point on I have been having serious problems with this Kia. I took the vehical in and the service department told me that the calipers, rotors, and drums needed to be replaced. The problem started to wear out the pads of all these parts, and now is grinding them away. This problem is a defect in the parts used by the manufacture and they should buy my Kia back from me, and or repair it to new condition. …
I've had continuous problems with my car since purchasing it, it has been taken into the shop for the engine check light coming on 2 times, the first time they said it was a sensor, but the problem reoccurred 2 days later , they then said it was a harness, that was replaced then I've taken it in for two recalls on the brakes and a hub problem, I'm currently having problems with the door handles sticking so it makes it impossible to open the doors with the key from the outside, dealer states that they can't get it to happen when I take it to the shop but it occures continually when the vehicle is in my possession, back hatch door does not close completely unless you slam it several times, dealer says nothing wrong, engine always smells like it is burning and now the car will only start when it wants to, dealer said it was the battery but the car is only 1 year old, I've talked to several …
I purchased my Kia Sportage on 7/14/98. On 11/20/98, my battery was dead. I took my Sportage to the dealer for the recall for the steering intermediate shaft coupling as soon as I received the recall notice. My brakes made a "squealing" sound since purchase, but I was informed by the dealership that this is normal for disc brakes. The brake light began flickering, then staying lit so I made an appointment with the dealership service dept. But was unable to keep it due to illness. The brakes now have a "grinding" sound and I am concerned about their safety factor. In August of 1998 I was stuck in traffic for over 2 hours due to a bad highway accident and the radiator overheated so I had to turn off, and keep off, the A/C. Recently, the engine is overheating and fluid drains when the car is parked. I feel that this is a lot of problems for a new car less than 9 months "old". …
I was forced to slam on my brakes to avoid an accident. When I did the right front brake locked up and the car made a violent skid and turn to the right . I let off of the brakes and let the car correct it's slide. When I did it made several very noticable thumps in the right front tire. When I stepped on the brake again there was no brake and the peadal went all the way to the floor. I went and bought a new set of front disk brake pads today and started to do a brake job. When I removed the right front tire there was no pad on the outside of the rotor. The caliper assembly had been riding on the rotor causing extensive wear in only a very few short miles. I had a friend come and examine the brakes to verify what I was seeing. He confirmed also. There was no pad on the outside. It was either manufactured with this pad missing or it fell out when I slammed on the brakes. …
Im not happy that I bought a new car and it averages going into the shop every 6-8 weeks. I cant afford this. Im to arrange my own transportation while my car is in the shop, its been towed 3 times for the engine lite, when work is done they don't call and tell us what was wrong and it can be picked up, last time the car was in the shop they didnt call for over a week to tell me to come get it, I asked to speak with a manager and left several messages and they still havent called. I wil never buy a Kia again or buy from any rizza. I feel like I bought junk, I want my money back, take the car. There is a class action lawsuit in the process at website 100% I hate Kia. Thank youl
Took the car in for the first time on 2/4/99. 2nd time 6/10/99. 3rd time 8/19/99. 4th time 11/18/99. 5th time 5/26/00. 6th time 7/25/00. 7th time 10/4/00. 8th time 1/17/01. Each time the rotors have been warped. They are replaced with the pads. Kia said they would not buy my car back. My car needs to be taken in for the same problem again. When I said I was going to file lemon law in December 2000 they promised to replaced my car. I've missed the filing window and now they are trying to basically sell me a new car. I just want my breaks fixed. I have a 9 year old daughter and I'm very upset about my car.
Related recalls
Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles without an anti-lock braking system (ABS). The steering intermediate shaft coupling can contact a hydraulic brake pipe causing fluid leakage.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and, if necessary, increase the clearance between the brake pipe and steering intermediate shaft coupling.
Brake complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 71 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Kia Sportage, 23% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Kia Sportage brake problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-222 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Sep 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Kia Sportage brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 73,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to brakes 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.