Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (doors, hood, frame, rust, paint and trim).
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).
I own a 1999 Kia Sportage and recently had it racked to see what the noise was that was coming from underneath my car. The entire undercarriage has rusted out and the fame is separating from each other, leaning on the shock absorbers on both sides, there are large holes in the fame where they have rusted through, the fuel tank and shield is rusted out and this car is a ticking time bomb, ready to fall apart, and or if anything hits the fuel tank it will disintegrate and possibly explode. This car is literally coming apart underneath.two of the doors panels underneath have rusted away. Everything is rusted and it scares me to death to be driving it now that I have seen the undercarriage. I have many photos to submit for proof of the problem.apparently this car has been rusting for some time and I have never noticed it. I bought it brand new in September of 1999. …
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage that has 114,000 miles on it. I noticed a couple weeks ago it was making a horrible noise in the right rear of the car, took it in thinking it needed shocks and they refused to fix it because the frame is rusted through and broken just behind the gas tank (which is new). They informed me this car was not safe to drive my little grandbabies in any longer and would not be responsible for any repairs that couldn't guarantee our safety. Now I am forced to get another car that is safe to drive myself and my grandkids I am their caregiver Monday through Friday. I don't think this car is old enough for this kind of problem to occur. I have kept it in good mechanical shape so I don't appreciate being forced to find another car right now, I already work 2 jobs and this puts a strain on me.
1999 Kia Sportage. I have owned it since 2008. I have had the gas tank patched 3 times, then completely replaced cost of over 400 dollars. My mechanic said the tank kept rusting no matter what he tried and it was defective. All rear brakes twice and now with even new lever and other parts 420 dollars. Now the car is undriveable due to the rear frame which has cracked and separated causing the car to sway and making steering extremely difficult. I thought it was a shock that broke when I heard the clunking sound, took it to the mechanic who informed me the car was to unsafe to drive because the frame is swinging all around. I have no other vehicle and two children am a single parent. Now I can't get to work, appointments, schools ect.
I was driving on the interstate and hit a bump when my car began swaying back and forth from side to side. I had a very hard time maintaining control. I slowly drove home and upon further inspection underneath my 1999 Kia Sportage I discover the frame is totally rusted to the point of falling apart. The passenger side of the frame is almost non existent and the drivers side isn't much better there are holes and pieces of the frame gone. I have been reading on line that this is a huge problem my 11 year old daughter or myself could have been killed because of this defect, please do something so others will not have to worry about this.
1995 to 2002 Kia sportages frames are rotting out and gas tanks leaking also. Kia refuses to repair or put out a recall on this issue. Vehicles are a safety issue to the public. Ford windstars had similar problems from 1998 to 2003 back axle rotting out, they are taking action and owning up to the problem. I have been a state inspection mechanic for the state of pa. For 35yrs this defect is going to cause several crashes, maybe deaths. Kia is not concerned about this matter any help would be great. Thanks
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. While driving 50 MPH, the contact stated that the vehicle began to sway back and forth. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic where they advised that the vehicle had rusted from the chassis on the rear passenger side. The mechanic also advised that the failure was non-repairable. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted but was unable to assist. The failure and current mileage was 88,000. Updated 9/16/11 updated 2/9/12
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle began to shake violently and caused that contact to lose control of the vehicle. The contact noticed that there was corrosion on the rear end of the vehicle after he regained control, stopped and exited the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for inspection. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when a larger truck passed him on the roadway and caused the contact's vehicle to swerve into another lane. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the frame was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with 55,000 miles on it. The entire frame is rotted and rusted out. Cannot drive the vehicle in safety. Will not pass inspection. I have 6 more months of payments I want to know what I can do about this? This is unacceptable. 3 dealerships would not even take it as a trade! I was told not to drive the vehicle because the gastank could fall down if I hit a bump in the road and the vehicle could explode.
My wife was driving on I-80 when the vehicle swayed very badly and almost hit a another vehicle. She immediately slowed and exited the highway. Upon inspection the frame severed and broke where the suspension attaches to the frame right behind the rear tire on the passenger side of the vehicle. This vehicle is a death trap... The mechanic and my insurance adjusted said my wife must have an angel watching over her.
Body complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are body problems on the 1999 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 29 complaints about the body & structure of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 10% of the model year's 284 complaints. The component named most often is frame and members (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Kia Sportage body problems?
No. NHTSA lists no body & structure 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 body problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 100,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to body & structure 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.