MYRModel Year Report

1996 Kia Sportage

▲ Better than typical
1996 Kia Sportage
RENDERED 2026-09-16T17:48:13.905Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Sportage Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1996 highlighted. 1995: 56 complaints 1995 1996: 57 complaints 1996 1997: 181 complaints 1998: 303 complaints 1999: 284 complaints 1999 2000: 304 complaints 2001: 228 complaints 2002: 234 complaints 2003: 4 complaints 2003 2005: 68 complaints 2006: 111 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 98 complaints 2008 2009: 80 complaints 2010: 20 complaints 2011: 181 complaints 2012: 392 complaints 2012 2013: 380 complaints 2014: 122 complaints 2015: 146 complaints 2016: 131 complaints 2016 2017: 399 complaints 2018: 163 complaints 2019: 70 complaints 2020: 160 complaints 2020 2021: 50 complaints 2022: 46 complaints 2023: 190 complaints 2024: 68 complaints 2024 2025: 50 complaints 2026: 26 complaints 2026
1996: 57 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
199556
199657
1997181
1998303
1999284
2000304
2001228
2002234
20034
200568
2006111
200777
200898
200980
201020
2011181
2012392
2013380
2014122
2015146
2016131
2017399
2018163
201970
2020160
202150
202246
2023190
202468
202550
202626

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 40%

40% of complaints: service brakes — 23 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY
POWER TRAIN 21%

21% of complaints: power train — 12 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 19%

19% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 11 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

WHEN DRIVING ALONG VEHICLE WILL START SHAKING AND IT WILL JUST CUT OFF WITHOUT ANY WARNING. HAS HAPPENED WHEN PUTTING VEHICLE IN REVERSE OR PARK. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TAKEN IN SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE STALLING AND THEY CAN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI report, 19970602

AIR BAGS 16%

16% of complaints: air bags — 9 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

THE VEHICLE HIT A DEER HEAD-ON AT 70 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 19970211

SEAT BELTS 14%

14% of complaints: seat belts — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.

CRASH INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT UPON LEANING FORWARD THE SET BELT LATCH CAME UNDONE. THIS HAPPENED TWICE. CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT IN MARCH.

NHTSA ODI report, 20021009

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 19960703 — vehicle speed control

THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.

Campaign 96V131000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19971215 — latches/locks/linkages

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

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

Campaign 97V234000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020617 — PE (closed 20020920)

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION

R 20021220 — seat belts

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

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

Campaign 02V216000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20060509 — EA (closed 20071130)

FUEL TANK LEAKAGE

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1996 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (12 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 96V131000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 97V234000 (latches/locks/linkages) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V216000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2022 ▲ 2025 ▲ 2021

WORST YEARS

■ 2017 ■ 2012 ■ 2013

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1996 Kia Sportage reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1996 Kia Sportage is rated "better than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 1996 Kia Sportage?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 40% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1996 Kia Sportage have?

3 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.