Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
I drove our SUV about 2 miles parked it in the garage and noticed a burning smell. I noticed the clock,radio, door locks, and passenger window were not working. I drove the car the next day for a short distance to work. Than called Kia talked to a janson cook who checked my vehicle for recall on this wiring. He said my Sportage was not on file for the VIN# and would not be fixed under the recall. I checked the internet and the 1998 sportages had a recall for a c123 and c124 cable which became loose and could cause a crash or us of my SUV. I than called the NHTSA and talked to kim she said file a complaint. I am afraid to drive for long distances more the 5 miles without something happening to cause me or someone else injury. The recall notice is 99V325000 this to fix the loose wiring that can cause SUV to stop completely causing injury or loss of vehicle control.
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 Kia Sportage. The contact stated while traveling at 25 MPH, the vehicle began to lose power. The hold button illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to an independent where an unknown repair was made to the vehicle. The failure persisted. The mechanic advised that the failure was similar to NHTSA campaign id number: 99V325000 (electrical system: wiring) but the contact did not confirm if his VIN was included in the recall. The failure mileage was 89,000 and the current mileage was 89,835.
I purchased this car used,it stalled on me in the middle of the road. I have basically had the entire motor replaced.I went to test drive and it done the same thing. It stalled in the middle of traffic. I searched for recalls and came up with one in the c123 and c124 wire harness. I believe this was the problem from the very beginning.
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 …
The car has on going problems. I have been telling Kia's mechanics that I have been experiencing the same problems over and over. 1) electrical-power surges, loss of power while driving,fuses blowing! Kia replaced the battery and said it should be fine now but it started doing it again! Went in for a recall on mcc and ended up doing other recalls that I never received! Now, the problem is worse! Fuses are blowing! I have been told they cant find the problem to there is nothing wrong with the car! Basically, I am under the assumption they cant find it until something really goes wrong. Well, it has! The loss of power is ten times worse! I fear for any life while the vehicle is in operation! This is my first car and I am a young female! So, I feel like I am being blown off and such when dealing with the mechanics. 2) braking has been wierd also! …
Ditto on all the other electrical problems listed at this site. Engine stalling while in motion, sluggishness, either revved up so high you think its gonna blow to not idling at all and cutting off. My left turn signal chassis even flew off while on the interstate please lets take action. We do not need a death to make Kia hear us. We could all send a certified letter to mr. Peter butterfield, Kia motors America, 9801 muirlands blvd, irvine ca 92618. We could reference in response to his interview to automotivenews.com about Kia wants to grow up. It is written in this article how he wants Kia to be known for quality and safety. I want him to know that we can't drive our Kia's for fear of our lives and no one at Kia is responding to our complaints. Here is a sampling of referenced article: peter butterfield wants Kia motors America inc. …
When consumer is at a stop sign and then accelerates, the vehicle does not move at all like there is no gas in the vehicle while the engine is still running. Dealer and manufacturer were contacted. Vehicle idled low, when first started in the am vehicle had no power and stumbled until it warmed up, dealer stated the iac would not open, check engine light illuminated due to the tps sensor being out of specifications. Tail light lens cracked and the dash light dimmer switch fell in the dash. Vehicle stalled due to ignition coil and spark plugs, vehicle backfired and hesitated, dealer rerouted the wiring harness and repaired the pin connectors. Vehicle overheated due to a crack in the cylinder head. Passenger side front door rattled when closing and the window was down, dealer stated this was normal. Carpet on the passenger side floor would not lie flat. …
Turned off vehicle to pump gas, on attempt to start the vehicle would not start. Battery was jump started, car functioned properly for 4 days. At that time the vehicle failed again when attempting to start, jumped started the vehicle & drove to service center. Dealer service center found a cell in the battery had failed & replaced the battery. Vehicle failed again, 4 weeks later, when attempting to start vehicle. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, when the service technician attempted to start the vehicle, the vehicle functioned properly. The vehicle was thoroughly checked by service manager & found no problem. The vehicle failed to start, again, 3 day later & did not respond to a jump start. The dealership is currently inspecting vehicle, I have contacted the manufacturer, I am not receiving any cooperation. …
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 drive a 1998 Kia Sportage with 37500 miles. I recently took the vehicle into the dealership reporting a loss of power, engine stalling, and car not responsive to throttle. When this problem occured the check emissions light illuminated. Upon inspecting the vehicle, the dealership informed me that the problem was a "wiring ground" that became either corroded or the connection method used failed. My car has over the 36,000 mile limit for the warranty, I was told that this was not part of the recall and that it would cost 240 dollars to have this problem fixed. I was told by dean bailey Kia, tulsa, OK. That this could have been a problem with the type of connection used during manufacturer of this automobile. I believe that this should be corrected at the expense of the manufacturer since it seems to be a electrical component that failed due to the method of installation. Any info. …
Related recalls
Electrical system › Wiring
Vehicle description: sport utility vehicles. The wires connected to the c123 and c124 connectors can be put under tension by movement of the engine, thus pulling the wires and connectors, loosening them and resulting in a loss of circuit continuity.
Remedy: Dealers will install spring clips to lock the connectors together. In addition, the dealers will be instructed to solder a splice in the wire harness.
NHTSA investigations
Engine stalling post-recall
Rq02-013 was opened to assess the scope and adequacy of recall 99v-325, which involved modifications to the engine fuel injection wire harness (harness).vehicles produced after the recall population have shown no signs of a defect trend.the majority of recall remedy failures identified were repaired within one day of the initial work.subsequent failure experience is minimal (249/55,548 vehicles remedied).field data…
Electrical complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 1998 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the electrical system of the 1998 Kia Sportage, 16% of the model year's 303 complaints. The component named most often is 12v/24v/48v battery (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Kia Sportage electrical problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-325 (wiring, Nov 19, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Kia Sportage electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 89,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 4 fires and 0 injuries to electrical system 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.