Used 1997 Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD Consumer Reviews
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Nightmare
Elnur, 03/08/2006
Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
4 of 5 people found this review helpful
Door key cylinder fell inside the door body the day I brought it home. I had nearly 20 visits to the dealership that year for that problem alone. There were times I was entering the car from the passenger side. 2nd year: O2 sensor went, front brakes cylinders (?) collapsed, service light came on and off. I developed tennis elbow using the Kia shift stick For as long as I owned the car: The car shook anytime over 45 mph - multiple visits to dealership. A horrible rattling sound under the driver's side - multiple visits to dealership. Could not get a clear view in the rear when reversing. Overall an annoying, frustrating and painful experience!
Don't Buy This Car
ElaineB, 02/01/2004
Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had so many poblems with this car. I bought it new in 97. At 800 miles the catalstic converter blew up causing the underside to catch fire, and all wiring had to be replaced. At 12,000. their was a horrible exhaust leak which after 4 trips to the dealer for repair ended my family in the hospital with a 24% oxygen rate in the blood. Kia would not stand behind their product even when contacted by my attorny. The belts always squeek and their has been a bad engine lifter since day one. Locks, and windows have never worked correctly since day one. I have givin up and have never been able to get kia to fix the problems.
GOOD LITTLE TRUCK
HANKSOLO, 12/12/2002
Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
IT IS A GOOD CAR IN GENERAL, VERY GOOD IN THE SNOW, THE WIND NOISE IS JUST ABOUT AVERAGE, AND WHEN GOING UP HILL WITH FOUR PEOPLE IN THE CAR DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT PUT THE A/C ON, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON AND THE BELTS SQUEEL NOT MATTER HOW MANY TIMES YOU CHANGE THEM, BUT REGARLES WE ARE HAPPY WITH IT...YOU CAN GO WRONG WITH IT
Affordable, Dependable, Great Little Car
Michael R. Mecham, Medford, OR, 10/19/2018
Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought this Sportage brand new in 1996, (it's a 1997 Sportage), and have put over 155,000 mies on it with very little problems. I replaced the timing belt, and I will probably replace the clutch soon. I have had to replace the Alternator. Basically it has been one of the most reliable and dependable cars that I have ever owned. It is undoubtedly the best car I have ever driven in snow and ice. It is now 21 years old and I still average 20-21 MPG driving to and from work, and 27-28 MPG on the freeway. I am only thinking about trading it in now because I have a bad knee and pushing the clutch is beginning to hurt. Otherwise I would probably drive it for another 150,000 miles.
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97 Kia--Poor Mechanical Quality
Nathan4444, 01/20/2004
Kia Sportage 4dr SUV 4WD
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought the truck used because it was cheap, I have owned it less than 2 years. It has 62k miles on it. I just brought it in for the transmission to find out, Transmission is shot, head gasket is blown, and I need a new clutch. I also recently replaced the starter and had 4 wheel drive repaired. The truck never drove well to begin with. Very noisy and no power at all.
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