Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
During snow/ice weather conditions I lost control of my vehicle on 01/11/07 going straight on rt.380 in stockton, ny. My vehicle rolled over, and landed front end down, upside down in a ditch. During the crash, none of the three air bags engaged/released. Because of the impact on the front end of my vehicle, think they should have released. No injury was done to myself, and no one was in my vehicle, but I was very lucky. Nothing needed to be done to correct this failure.
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision in which an impact was sustained at 50 MPH. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. Also, vehicle came equipped with knee bolsters underneath the steering column. As a result the driver sustained back injuries, and vehicle was totaled.
Upon being at a stop engine revved, and vehicle accelerated, landing in an intersection; which caused a collision. Consumer's vehicle hit a semi truck. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy. Due to a previous incident vehicle was in cruise control mode. However, vehicle accelerated, and took off on its own. Consumer had to slam on brakes to stop the vehicle.
Vehicle involved in a frontal collision of 40 MPH. Upon impact, both air bags failed to deploy. Also, both seat belts failed to lock in place. Injuries were sustainrd by both driver and passenger. Dealer notified.
While traveling at about 65 hit a slick spot and the front passenger's side hit side of a bridge and slid across the bridge. Upon impact, passenger's airbag came out a little, but driver's airbag did not deploy.
Vehicle collided with a guard rail and air bags failed to deploy. On a separate occasion, the consumer had a falt tire, and when she removed the spare tire, the door and gate would not close.
I bought the Kia last year and have had the brake pads/parts replaced twice. The first time the brakes became bad, the vehicle had only about 8,000 miles on it. They explained that the brakes were wearing down because I was too hard on them. I have driven a Ford pickup and never had problems with the brakes until I replaced them at 35, 000 miles. Furthermore, I recently took it for an air bag light malfunction and there were two other people complaining about the brakes and apparently they had taken their kias for brake work before. One of the service personnel tried to explain to the couple that it had been 13,000 since the last brake work. The male stated that he has owns another car with no brake problems and it has about 25,000 miles on it. I feel they are using defected or cheap brake pads or something. …
Recall 99V325000 work was corrected. Since recall work was done engine check light illuminated on the dash. Consumer contacted the dealer. Dealer noted that recall problem has failed and wires went bad. Also, air bag light was illuminating on the dash. Please provide any further details.
Seat belt would continuously chime. The air bag light stays on after starting vehicle. Vehicle would start erratically. Door frame would leak. Convertible top did not stay closed. Vehicle would idle at 2000rpms when slowing down & almost stall out. Will be taking vehicle to dealer.
Vehicle experienced the following problems: 1.) dealer replaced passenger's air bag due to an electrical short; 2.) front axle failed, causing vehicle to jerk while making a full left turn/ replaced by dealer, and 3.) front right tire was replaced because of a bubble on tire.
Airbag complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 1999 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 8% of the model year's 284 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Kia Sportage airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 1999 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 1999 Kia Sportage airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 157,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 8 injuries to air bags 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.