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1996 Kia Sportage

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 1996 Kia Sportage do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 122.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

Limited mileage data: 5 of 57 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports3 fire reports14 injury reports

Power Train complaints

11 reports
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Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2001
Power Train

THE CAR'S REAR LEFT TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LUG NUTS AND THE ASSEMBLY WHERE INTACT. FROM WHAT THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME THE BALL BEARINGS MELTED CAUSING THE CASING WHERE THE BOLTS GO TO DETACH. I'M NOT A MECHANIC SO I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS BUT IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE BODY…

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THE CAR'S REAR LEFT TIRE DETACHED FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LUG NUTS AND THE ASSEMBLY WHERE INTACT. FROM WHAT THE BODY SHOP TOLD ME THE BALL BEARINGS MELTED CAUSING THE CASING WHERE THE BOLTS GO TO DETACH. I'M NOT A MECHANIC SO I DON'T KNOW THE DETAILS BUT IF YOU NEED FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE DO NOT HESITATE TO CONTACT THE BODY SHOP THAT'S WORKING ON THE CAR. I CAN GET YOU THAT INFORMATION IF YOU REQUEST IT. *AK

NHTSA ODI #754244

Mileage unknown · Apr 2, 2001
Power Train

TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION AND NOISE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #884771

Mileage unknown · Dec 8, 1999
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

TRANSMISSION WOULD FAIL TO SHIFT INTO GEAR. WOULD BE SLIPPING EACH TIME. THE "HOLD" LIGHT ON INSTRUMENT PANEL WOULD COME ON & STAY WHILE VEHICLE IS OPERATIONAL. THE PVS LIGHT COMES ON ALSO. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES TO COME TO A STOP, VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #853890

Mileage unknown · Oct 25, 1999
Power Train

THE WIND LEAKS WERE AN ONGOING ANOYANCE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GAVE UP WITH AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NO FIX. THE DEALER SAID KIA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NO FIX. THE SHIFT SENSOR AND SOLENOID FAILURE MADE THE CAR SO IT COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR! THIS W…

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THE WIND LEAKS WERE AN ONGOING ANOYANCE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GAVE UP WITH AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NO FIX. THE DEALER SAID KIA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NO FIX. THE SHIFT SENSOR AND SOLENOID FAILURE MADE THE CAR SO IT COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR! THIS WITHIN DAYS OF THE WARRENTY EXPIRATION AND AND WITH LESS THAN 16K MILES ON THE CAR. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED TO SEE IF ITS SYMTOMATIC AND A RECALL STARTED IF IT IS.

NHTSA ODI #713816

Mileage unknown · Jul 15, 1999
Power TrainSeat BeltsService Brakes, Hydraulic

HELP!! I HAVE TRIED FOR 6 WEEKS NOW TO CONTACT KIA WITH LITTLE SUCCESS, AFTER A MONTH OF TRYING A FACTORY TECH FINALLY CAME OUT TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND DID CONFIRM SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE RANDOM ACCELRATION, HE PROMISED TO CONTACT ME WITHIN 4 DAYS AND IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 WEEKS, I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES AND FAXES WITH THEIR C…

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HELP!! I HAVE TRIED FOR 6 WEEKS NOW TO CONTACT KIA WITH LITTLE SUCCESS, AFTER A MONTH OF TRYING A FACTORY TECH FINALLY CAME OUT TO LOOK AT MY CAR AND DID CONFIRM SOME OF THE PROBLEMS, INCLUDING THE RANDOM ACCELRATION, HE PROMISED TO CONTACT ME WITHIN 4 DAYS AND IT HAS NOW BEEN 3 WEEKS, I HAVE LEFT MESSAGES AND FAXES WITH THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT AND AS OF YET HAVE RECEIVED NO RESPONSE. THESE ARE SOME OF THE PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD: TRANSMISSION REPLACED 3 TIMES, 4 TRANS HAS PROBLEMS, REAR SHOCKS BROKEN - MANUF. REFUSES TO REPAIR, SEATBELT RANDOMLY DISENGAGED, FRONT RIGHT DOOR CONTINUALLY JAMMED, CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAME LOOSE, ENGINE RANDOMLY REVES AND ACCELERATES, ENGINE WOULD NOT IDLE AT ALL, ENGINE IDLES ROUGHLY, MOTOR FAN BROKE LOOSE AND EMBEDDED IN RADIATOR, POWER MIRRORS SWITCH DEFECTIVE, DOME LIGHT INOPERATIVE, LEFT REAR DOOR VERY STIFF, HUB CAPS FALLING OFF, WIND SHIELD MOTOR DEFECTIVE, ANTILOCK BRAKE SENSOR DEFECTIVE, RIGHT REAR WINDOW DEFECTIVE, ECT....

NHTSA ODI #708653

Mileage unknown · Mar 17, 1998
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #532951

Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 1997
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherPower Train

TRANSMISSION SHIFTS ERRATICALLY. IN ADDITION, NOISY REAR BRAKES DUE TO RECENT BRAKE ADJUSTMENTS/STEERING WHEEL COLUMN WILL NOT LOCK/ GAS GAUGE FAILURE/ ODOMETER FAILURE/PASSENGER'S SIDE SUNVISOR DISCONNECTS FROM CLIP WHEN ENCOUNTERING HARSH RIDE OR WHEN VISOR IS PULLED DOWN AND ENGINE OFTEN HARD TO START. *AK

NHTSA ODI #526320

Mileage unknown · May 19, 1997
Power Train

NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #517272

Mileage unknown · Apr 7, 1997
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROAD EXPERIENCED WHEEL HUB FAILURE, WHEN IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEEL HUB UNLOCKED, CAUSING 4- WHEEL DRIVE TO DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SPINNING OUT 360 DEGREES INTO CIRCLE, LOSS CONTROL DUE TO ONE OF THE TIRES DISENGAGING FROM 4 WHEEL DRIVELINE, OCCURRED 5 TIMES, DEALERS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, HAS NOW REPL…

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WHILE DRIVING ON ICY ROAD EXPERIENCED WHEEL HUB FAILURE, WHEN IN 4-WHEEL DRIVE WHEEL HUB UNLOCKED, CAUSING 4- WHEEL DRIVE TO DISENGAGE, RESULTING IN VEHICLE SPINNING OUT 360 DEGREES INTO CIRCLE, LOSS CONTROL DUE TO ONE OF THE TIRES DISENGAGING FROM 4 WHEEL DRIVELINE, OCCURRED 5 TIMES, DEALERS REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES, HAS NOW REPLACED WITH MANUAL WHEEL HUBS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #810765

Mileage unknown · Oct 4, 1996
Power Train

POWER TRAIN VIBRATION, CAUSING REARVIEW MIRROR TO BLUR/POOR VISIBILITY.

NHTSA ODI #509485

Official recalls

3

02V216000 · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

Aug 16, 2002

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. 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 1-800-333-4542.

97V234000 · Latches/locks/linkages:hatchback/liftgate:lock

Dec 17, 1997

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.

96V131000 · Vehicle Speed Control:accelerator Pedal

Jul 15, 1996

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE ACCELERATOR TO HOLD THE THROTTLE PARTIALLY OPEN, RESULTING IN LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA06007 · Fuel Tank Leakage

Opened May 9, 2006 · Closed Nov 30, 2007

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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 WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Fuel System, Gasoline

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 WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage

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 WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly

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 WAS REPLACED.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOCUSED ON LEAKS OCCURRING ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE TANK DUE TO CORROSIVE FAILURE CAUSED BY DISRUPTION OF THE PROTECTIVE PVC COATING.THE ANALYSISINDICATES THAT SUCH LEAKS ARE RARE AND DO NOT SHOW EVIDENCE OF AN INCREASING TREND. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE DOCUMENT FILE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION REGARDING THIS RESUME.

PE02051 · Safety Belt Buckle Malfunction

Opened Jun 17, 2002 · Closed Sep 20, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 25, 2002, KIA ADVISED NHTSA THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY KIA HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AT THIS TIME.THE SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.

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