One problem related to steering tie rod assembly has been reported for the 1999 Kia Motor Sportage. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Last year I had a front end alignment done on my 1999 kia Sportage as far as I can tell the lockdown nuts were not tightened correctly causing water to get in and corroding the linkage between the tie rod ends. I happened to be moving the car this weekend and heard an awful klunking sound, upon some investigating I noticed the tie rod end just about ready to be seperated from the adjuster link. If this would have happened on the highway my wife who is primary driver of this vehicle could have been seriously hurt or could have had an accident and hurt someone else.