1996 KIA SPORTAGE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data
N/A
Safety Rating
98
Owner Complaints
3
Recalls
0
Service Bulletins
2
Investigations
Overview of the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
The 1996 KIA SPORTAGE has received a total of 98 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 3 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK, VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL. The most commonly reported problems involve the Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (10 complaints), Air Bagsfrontal (9 complaints), and Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (8 complaints).
Recalls for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has recorded 3 recalls for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE, potentially affecting up to 213,892 vehicles.
Recall 02V216000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
| 189,706 vehicles affected
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
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.
View full details →Recall 97V234000 — LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HATCHBACK/LIFTGATE:LOCK
| 23,493 vehicles affected
Defect: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
View full details →Recall 96V131000 — VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:ACCELERATOR PEDAL
| 693 vehicles affected
Defect: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
View full details →Owner Complaints for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
98 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.
Most Recent Complaints
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
THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK
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
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
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
View all Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip complaints →
Safety Rating for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE in its New Car Assessment Program.
Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
No technical service bulletins have been reported for this vehicle.
NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE
NHTSA has opened 2 investigations into potential safety defects in the 1996 KIA SPORTAGE.
Investigation EA06007 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY Closed
Opened:
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
Investigation PE02051 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Closed
Opened:
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Other Model Years of the KIA SPORTAGE
- 1995 KIA SPORTAGE — 88 complaints
- 1996 KIA SPORTAGE (current)
- 1997 KIA SPORTAGE — 299 complaints
- 1998 KIA SPORTAGE — 558 complaints
- 1999 KIA SPORTAGE — 493 complaints
- 2000 KIA SPORTAGE — 462 complaints
- 2001 KIA SPORTAGE — 354 complaints
Other KIA Models
- KIA SORENTO — 13,451 total complaints
- KIA OPTIMA — 10,045 total complaints
- KIA SOUL — 7,147 total complaints
- KIA FORTE — 3,450 total complaints
- KIA SEDONA — 3,334 total complaints
- KIA SEPHIA — 3,080 total complaints
- KIA TELLURIDE — 2,109 total complaints
- KIA RIO — 1,784 total complaints