Model year record

1996 Kia Sportage

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 98 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V216000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
189,706
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-16
Owners notified
2002-12-20

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 97V234000

Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock

Component
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
23,493
Reported to NHTSA
1997-12-17
Owners notified
1997-12-15

Defect description

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

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.

Recall campaignNHTSA 96V131000

Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal

Component
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
693
Reported to NHTSA
1996-07-15
Owners notified
1996-07-03

Defect description

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip10
Air bags: frontal9125,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline8
Power train: automatic transmission4
Power train: manual transmission3
Seat belts: front: anchorage3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly3105,150 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder3
Unknown or other3
Electrical system: ignition2
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2
Interior lighting2
Power train2
Seat belts: rear/other245,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components2
Structure: body2
Vehicle speed control2
Vehicle speed control: linkages2
Wheels2
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1
Electrical system: horn132 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine and engine cooling: engine1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other1
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft1
Power train: axle hubs1
Power train: clutch assembly1
Service brakes, air: antilock1
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1
Structure: body: door1
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs1
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1
Suspension: rear1
Tires: sidewall1
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages1

The 1995 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 1997 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.