RoadVitals

1996 Kia Sportage

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
57
Latest Dec 23, 2004
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Aug 16, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
15
27 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 57 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Kia Sportage, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and airbags categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 8 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V216000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Aug 16, 2002
189,706 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The 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.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SC027View on NHTSA.gov
97V234000

LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK

Dec 17, 1997
23,493 units potentially affected
The defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
The risk: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov
96V131000

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL

Jul 15, 1996
693 units potentially affected
The defect: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
The risk: 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.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA06007ClosedEngineering Analysis

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

Opened May 9, 2006
Closed Nov 30, 2007

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
PE02051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION

Opened Jun 17, 2002
Closed Sep 20, 2002

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.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 02V216000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 57
Airbags
Filed Dec 23, 2004
Crash reported1 injury reported

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING AT 25 MPH IN FOGGY CONDITIONS WHEN SUDDENLY SHE LOST SIGHT OF THE ROAD AND PROCEEDED TO STRIKE A TREE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10105282
Incident
Dec 7, 2004
Mileage
125,000 mi
Seat belts
Filed Dec 5, 2003

THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10050151
Mileage
79,000 mi
Electrical
Filed Oct 7, 2003
Fire reported

THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR SPEAKER CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE LISTENING TO THE RADIO . FORTUNATELY MY WIFE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH HER JACKET. THE FIRE BURNED PART OF THE DOOR PANEL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10041399
Incident
Jun 1, 2003
Seat belts
Filed Sep 23, 2003

RECEIVED RECALL 02 V 216 000 CONCERNING FRONT SEAT BELTS, BUT REAR SEAT BELT FAILED IN THIS VEHICLE. DEALERSHIP WAS NOT REPLACING THE REAR SEAT BELT UNDER THE RECALL REMEDY.*AK

NHTSA ID
10040370
Mileage
45,000 mi
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 25, 2003
Crash reported

WHEN VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED INTO REVERSE IT EXPERIENCED SUDDEN ACCELERATION AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. DEALER DETERMINED THAT THROTTLE PEDAL WAS STUCK, CAUSING VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE PEDAL. *AK

NHTSA ID
10034539
Suspension
Filed Jun 16, 2003

CONSUMER WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE COILS. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT SINCE THERE WAS NO RECALL THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO.*AK

NHTSA ID
10024174
Electrical
Filed Apr 23, 2003

THE VEHICLES HORN DID NOT BLOW LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10017402
Mileage
32 mi
Seat belts
Filed Jan 4, 2003

THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT FASTENER WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA, BUT THEY SAY THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT ABUSED THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT BELT FAIL (IN ANY OTHER CAR-- NOR HEARD OF THIS) BECAUSE IT COMES UNLATCHED. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS IT SEEMS I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR THE NEW SEAT BELT FASTENER. TS

NHTSA ID
10000519
Incident
Dec 29, 2002
Mileage
105,150 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PS539

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.

TSB-GEN085R1

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.

TSB-GEN085

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?

KT-2008082201

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE

76

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

FUEL PUMP RELAYS & EMISSIONS FAILURES. KIA TECHNICIAN TIMES. *TT

027

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DEALERS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Sportage by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2027000—
2026251055.8
2025491052.4
2024663059.1
20231846062.9
2022451054.9
2021492272.8
20201572271.8
2019692266.7
20181603165.7
20173984270.8
20161302259.9
20151462259.6
20141223258.2
20133803463.8
20123925464.0
20111816462.3
2010202155.2
2009803158.3
2008983161.7
2007772053.1
20061111042.2
2005683050.5
2003400—
20022343459.0
20012282257.2
20003044661.6
19992845862.4
19983035660.4
19971813465.0
1996Viewing573265.4
1995562149.8

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.