Vehicle recall 97V234000 · December 17, 1997

1996-1997 Kia Sportage

Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

Summary: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.
Consequence: Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.
Remedy: Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
Notes: Owner notification began December 15, 1997. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4KIA (1-800-333-4542).also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-800-424-9393.

Recall details

NHTSA campaign: 97V234000
Reported to NHTSA: December 17, 1997
Filed by: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Owner notification: December 15, 1997
Vehicles potentially affected: 23,493
Initiated by: the manufacturer
Components: Latches/locks/linkages › Hatchback/liftgate › Lock

Recall 97V234000 on nhtsa.gov, with the manufacturer’s documents

Vehicles covered

As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.

Kia Sportage (1996-1997): 1997, 1996

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