1996 Kia Sportage Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1996 Kia Sportage, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Brakes1517.4%
- Engine1011.6%
- Airbags910.5%
- Seat belts89.3%
- Transmission89.3%
- Electrical78.1%
- Driver assistance55.8%
- Interior & seats44.7%
- Powertrain (other)44.7%
- Body & structure33.5%
- Suspension33.5%
- Heating & air conditioning22.3%
- Fuel system22.3%
- Visibility22.3%
- Other / unspecified22.3%
- Steering11.2%
- Tires & wheels11.2%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING, SEAT BELT DETACHES. WHEN DRIVING MORE THAN 35-40 MPH CONSUMER HAS TO DEPRESS BRAKES HARDER THAN USUAL. *AK CONSUMER STATES THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT AND THAT THERE WERE PROBLEMS WITH THE BELTS DETACHING 2-3 MONTHS PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN THE ACCIDENT, CONSUMER DID NOT LIST THE CAUSE OF THE ACCIDENT. *SLC
WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED IN A PANIC STOP PEDAL WAS NORMAL, AND VEHICLE EXPERIENCED EXTENDED STOPPING, CAUSING A COLLISION WHICH RESULTED IN INJURIES. ALSO, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED AND WILL NOT COOPERATE AT ALL. *AK
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL TURNED TO A SLUGGY/ PASTY THICKNESS, ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. ALSO, HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS AT ANY GIVEN SPEED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN AT DEALER SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS/ AT AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP ON THREE OCCASIONS AND NO ONE COULD LOCATE CAUSE. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.*AK CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE HAS STALLED ON THE FREEWAY AT 65 MPH, IN INTERSECTIONS, AND GOING AROUND CORNERS, THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED ALONG WITH OTHER PARTS AND VEHICLE STILL STALLS, POSSIBLY ENGINE RELATED. *SLC
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
AIR BAGS DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY WHILE PARKED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE SITTING IN THE VEHICLE KEYS NOT IN IGNITION, THE AIRBAG DEPLOYED AND CAUSED INJURY ON HER FACE AND LEGS. *YD
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK
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
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION AND NOISE. *JB
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
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
THE VEHICLES HORN DID NOT BLOW LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
VEHICLE ACCELERATES AUTOMATICALLY AT 35MMPH AND HIGHER, AND THEN IT WILL DECELERATE. DEALER HAS REPLACED ENGINE HARNESS, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
REMOTE CONTROL WINDOW MOTOR BLEW IN THE RIGHT PASSAGER SEAT FRONT EXHUAST PIPE FELL FROM THE MANIFOLD, A/C BLOWER SWITCH FAILED,A/C FILTER BROKE,3 TIMES BRAKES HAD TO BE ADJUSTED, HEAD LIGHT BLEW, BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, CURRENTLY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP FOR THE 21 DAY CONCERNING THE CHECK ENGINE ISSUE.
INTERIOR WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
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....
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
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....
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
REMOTE CONTROL WINDOW MOTOR BLEW IN THE RIGHT PASSAGER SEAT FRONT EXHUAST PIPE FELL FROM THE MANIFOLD, A/C BLOWER SWITCH FAILED,A/C FILTER BROKE,3 TIMES BRAKES HAD TO BE ADJUSTED, HEAD LIGHT BLEW, BOTH OXYGEN SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACE DUE TO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON, CURRENTLY CAR IS STILL IN THE SHOP FOR THE 21 DAY CONCERNING THE CHECK ENGINE ISSUE.
LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR BELT COVER CAME OFF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
OIL TURNED TO A SLUGGY/ PASTY THICKNESS, ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM FAILED. ALSO, HAD TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION, AND IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.*AK
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
LEFT FRONT SEAT BELT ANCHOR BELT COVER CAME OFF.
POWER TRAIN HAS HARMONIC VIBRATION BETWEEN SPEED 45 MPH - 60 MPH WHICH RESULTS IN NOISE AND REARVIEW MIRRORS VISION IS DISTORTED DUE TO EXCESSIVE VIBRATION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER WHEEL AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. NO ACCIDENT, AND NO INJURIES.*AK
NO SUMMARY
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. (P20575R15)
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .