Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. The contact stated that the vehicle emitted strong fuel fumes on the exterior and the interior. The dealer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in a manufacturer's recall and the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact also stated that the timing belt failed three times and was replaced by a mechanic. The drive train failed once and was replaced by a mechanic. The crank shaft was also replaced once. The contact also was experiencing a transmission failure in which the gears slipped randomly and were slow to change over. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than three times and they were not able to remedy the failure. The contact replaced the seals due to the transmission failure. The fuel leak continued and was not repaired. The VIN was not available. …
Vehicle does not want to start, however, the radio and power windows are still working so it is not a battery issue. Once the vehicle did start it would die when you started up from a stop at a traffic light and/or sometimes would simply die when put your foot on the gas pedal. I took it to a shop and they indicated it was a fuel pump issue. The following day after the fuel pump was repaired the vehicle did the same thing. The shop then indicating there had been a wiring recall so they changed out the wiring harness. Two days later the vehicle almost died on the way to the airport, it would shake violently when idling and there was very limited power when I was attempting to accelerate. The shop looked at it again and the air manifest indicator came on so they cleaned out the air flow. Two days later it was still doing the same thing. …
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. …
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. …
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. …
1999 Kia Sportage, had a gas leak got it repaired with a new tank last year, still have a gas smell. I have taken it back several times for the smell they cannot find the problem, of course this is my regular mechanic not a Kia dealer. Now the frame is busted from premature rusting and disintegration which is holding up the gas tank. Check engine light is constantly on for "EVAP leak" . No power when A/C is running. A/C now has leak. Constantly smell a burning smell just before the check engine light comes on. Also constantly blows fuses for power windows etc. This is a death trap for sure, you can imagine my surprise when I was advised not to drive my grandbabies in this car it is unsafe...and when they refused to fix it as they couldn't take responsibility for the safety of the vehicle when trying to fix a framing problem. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Kia shortage. The contact stated after dispensing fuel into the full tank, he would smell a strong odor of fuel inside and outside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to locate the problem. There was a manufacture voluntary recall pertaining to the fuel system. The contact notified the dealer and they informed that safety recall expired. In addition, the fuel tank was not in stock. The problem persisted and became progressively worse. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 105,000. Updated 2/23/11 the consumer stated the fuel tank and fuel pump had rust problems. The consumer was informed it was not safe to drive the vehicle. The consumer has since purchased another vehicle. Updated 02/28/11
I had just filled gas tank with unleaded gas. When I noticed a strong gas smell. The car sits all day. I only move it for emissions each year I work from home. They tested and told me EVAP emission control sys malf. The guy said he could see gas leaking from my fuel line. He said it was a recall on this to check with Kia. Kia told me my VIN number did not match the recall. This car does not see alot of action there is no reason other than a few good snows that May have rusted the tank other wise why would my tank all of a sudden leak gas. This is a hazard that I think Kia should be responsible for. I am the second owner of the car and have had it longer than the first. I have experienced first hand some issues this model has had which Kia took care of. But they refuse this.
Dt*: the contact stated the fuel tank assembly developed a hole causing a fuel leak. The dealer replaced the fuel tank and determined the storage assembly also had a leak which could no longer be seen. Gas totally covered that area where the hole was located. The contact also stated when the front passenger side door was locked, the door could not be opened from the outside with the key. The vehicle has been taken to the dealer regarding the lock. Updated 10/4/2006 - the dealer failed to fix the door while it was there for service. The four wheel drive was not activated although the four wheel drive light was illuminated on the dash. The dealer replaced the vacuum lines.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Kia Sportage. While driving at an unknown speed, the contact began to smell gas from somewhere around the vehicle. He then noticed gas leaking from the top of the oil tank, which began to leak underneath the tank. As a result, the bottom of the tank began to rot and form holes. He took the vehicle to the dealer and they noticed that the hoses of the fuel pump also rotted from the leak in the oil pan. There is a technical service bulletin (kt2006050901) issued by Kia that lists the exact same defect the vehicle was experiencing. Service campaign inspection number sc059 was referenced. The failure mileage was 57,800 and current mileage was 58,739.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel tank leakage
On January 4, 2006, the office of defects investigation (odi) opened a preliminary evaluation to investigate alleged fuel leakage from the steel fuel storage tank in certain model year 1999-2000 Kia sportage vehicles.odi sent a letter to the manufacturer on January 25, 2006 requesting information about these and other Kia sportage vehicles.odi is aware of 40 non-duplicative complaints that allege fuel storage tank…
Fuel tank leakage
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.review of the warranty data revealed elevated tank leakage experience in vehicles produced from June 1999 to October 2000.analysis of complaints and warranty claims identified multiple causes and origins of fuel tank assembly leakage.the majority of complaints involve non-specific allegations of fuel leakage where more than one fuel system component…
Fuel System complaints in other Sportage years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1999 Kia Sportage?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Kia Sportage, 13% of the model year's 284 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (11 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Kia Sportage fuel system problems?
No. NHTSA lists no fuel & propulsion system 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 fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
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.