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 1999 Kia Sportage owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 1999 Kia Sportage with less than 35,000 miles on it as of July 5, 2006. In November of 2005 I started noticing a really strong fuel smell. Shortly thereafter I noticed fluid leaking from the rear of my vehicle. I took it in around thanksgiving to find out that the gas tank had to be replaced. I had to pay almost $1,000 for this repair. Also, in May of 2006 power steering fluid leaked all over my garage while the car was in summer storage. Upon further investigation it is due to the power steering pressure hose damping pipe rusting out. This car has also already have to get new front brake rotors (rusted/warped) as well as a new exhaust pipe since the previously one rusted off the muffler. Within the first couple years one of the bearings went bad and they ended up replacing the whole front axle unit. …
This Kia was purchased new and is a one owner car. It has had 2 master cylinders, and 4 sets of brake pads. The car currently has 50,000 miles on it. The car slides to the right on wet roads and does not stop until it hits something or slows to a stop. I have slid 2 times, rear ended someone the 3rd, and my son hit a light pole. The other times the brakes May or May not work. The problem is worse during rainy weather. The brakes go to the floor and the car does not stop. At times the brakes vibrate. This car has had a new cloth top, new air conditioning 2x, 5 catalytic converters, new carpet from the air leaking and molding, new seat covers as they ripped, new brakes, rotors, pads several items I have lost count, the check engine light comes on, the car has been re-wired, at times the car won't accelerate if the air conditioner is on. …
I purchased my Kia used, from a dealer, less than a year ago, and it passed the electronic systems check for vehicle inspection. I immediately had to have dealer replace the gasoline tank after smelling gasoline. This car is used solely for light usage to transport myself and my children to and from dr's and grocery stores. After owning the car for less than two months, check engine light came on, reporting issue with catalyst. Found a recall on this issue and am trying to get original dealer to fix. Now experiencing loss of power to engage inclines or hills, causing a hazard to other drivers. Also back brakes simply "blew"! Without any forewarning, with my children in the car, I lost all braking abilities. Thank goodness I was not going fast and have a standard to quickly downshift. …
No recall notice #99V325000 was received on vehicle. Had taken to dealership, and informed by service manager no recalls on vehicle. Later, found there was recall. Took vehicle back. Mechanic informed owner repairs for engine stalling will not be done due vehicle not purchased at that dealer. ABS locked up and caused consumer to hit a deer, consumer was injured.
I purchased my Kia Sportage 4x4 brand new in July of 1999 since I day I drove it off the lot it has been a constant source of stress and frustration. Shortly after purchasing it the check engine light would continously come on and then the car would lurch and chug. Car was towed back to the dealership and it was kept there for apporoximately 2and a half weeks. It has also had problems where it wouldn't start due to corrosion on the starter clip . This has happened twice. I also had the windshield wipers stop working on the way home from work in a snow storm with my four year old son in the back. It also started making a loud rumbling noise that sounded like I was driving over speed bumps. This LED to them needing to replace the hubs, bearings, and axle shafts. Car only had approximately 33000 miles on it. …
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. …
No lights on dashboard came on .this is one time engine check light did not come on. Oil all over motor. Around area of dip stick.pressure from motor blew out dip stick has anyone else had to replace motor on these cars? Also have had brakes replaced 5 times. Wiper assembly replaced. Fourwheel drive hose replaced. Windsheild replaced. Emissons replaced. Rotors 5 times. Seats front and back 1 time each. Soft top replaced 3 times need replaced again.smells like sulfur all the time. Will never buy one again . First I have to pay 3000.00 for a new motor and pay this one off.asked for help from Kia they said no.they will not replace motor. I bought extended warrenty . Don't buy it doesn't cover brakes or rotors or hubs.had headlight switch by motor replaced no headlights they would go off when I put them from high beam to low beam or low to high. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle is gradually leaking brake fluid and he is constantly having to add more fluid. Also, the vehicle stalls intermittently while driving between 30-50 MPH and merging into traffic. His VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign id numbers 98V222000 (service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:hoses, lines/piping and fittings) and 99V325000 (electrical system:wiring); however, the dealer will repair the vehicle according to NHTSA campaign id number 04V305000 (seat belts:front:buckle assembly). The current mileage was 107,812 and the failure mileage was unavailable.
Vehicle is defective. Brakes pulled to the left, brake system was replaced three times. Power windows would not go all the way down, there was a space between the window and track/ windshield washer didn't work. Consumer had a blowout, the back tires split in half. Car would not start on several occasions, battery and starter replaced. Consumer was told by Kia that poor connections in the fuel injection wire harness circuit could be causing the engine to stall.
While driving heard a noise, then steering was very hard to turn, and brakes went to the floor. Consumer had to use transmission to slow vehicledown. 4 wheel drive failed. Wife of this vehicle's owner also has exact same vehicle, VIN [redacted] with 4 wheel drive failure, also consumer experienced power window failure and has experienced electrical problems ever since.
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 1999 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 15% of the model year's 284 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 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 1999 Kia Sportage brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 28,000 miles, and 33% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries and 1 death 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.