1996 Kia Sportage
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.
- Complaints
- 57
- Recalls
- 3
- Investigations
- 2
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 1996
Opened by NHTSA
40% of complaints
Complaints per year
1996: 57 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 56 |
| 1996 | 57 |
| 1997 | 181 |
| 1998 | 303 |
| 1999 | 284 |
| 2000 | 304 |
| 2001 | 228 |
| 2002 | 234 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2005 | 68 |
| 2006 | 111 |
| 2007 | 77 |
| 2008 | 98 |
| 2009 | 80 |
| 2010 | 20 |
| 2011 | 181 |
| 2012 | 392 |
| 2013 | 381 |
| 2014 | 125 |
| 2015 | 146 |
| 2016 | 134 |
| 2017 | 402 |
| 2018 | 164 |
| 2019 | 71 |
| 2020 | 166 |
| 2021 | 53 |
| 2022 | 46 |
| 2023 | 195 |
| 2024 | 74 |
| 2025 | 54 |
| 2026 | 28 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
40% · 23 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic and air.
Power train
21% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.
Engine and engine cooling
19% · 11 reportsMost commonly citing gasoline and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.
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, 1997-06-02
Air bags
16% · 9 reportsMost commonly citing frontal.
Show complaint excerpts
The vehicle hit a deer head-on at 70 MPH and neither airbags deployed.
NHTSA ODI report, 1997-02-11
Seat belts
14% · 8 reportsMost commonly citing buckle assembly and anchorage.
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, 2002-10-09
Safety timeline
3 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
R
1996-07-03Vehicle speed control96V131000 The accelerator pedal assembly could bind or stick during operation.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.
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R
1997-12-15Latches/locks/linkages97V234000 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.
-
I
2002-06-17Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-09-20 Safety belt buckle malfunction
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R
2002-12-20Seat belts02V216000 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…
-
I
2006-05-09Engineering analysisClosed 2007-11-30 Fuel tank leakage
Buy-smart checklist
1996 Kia Sportage — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 23 reports on file for this year.
- Power train: 12 reports on file for this year.
- Engine and engine cooling: 11 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 96V131000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 97V234000 · Latches/locks/linkages
- Recall 02V216000 · Seat belts
Other years of this model
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 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.