1996 KIA Sportage Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

12 complaints

BRAKES FAILED CAUSING THEM TO GO TO THE FLOOR.

Sep 16, 1998

ABS BRAKE LIGHT SENSOR MALFUNCTION CAUSING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.

Sep 15, 1998

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR TO STOP. DEALER HAS ADJUSTED THE BRAKES AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED DUE TO COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. *SLC

Sep 01, 1998

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES, AND THE DEALER CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM. *AK

Sep 02, 1997

ANTI- LOCK BRAKE/DASH LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY INDICATING ABS NOT WORKING, PEDAL DOES NOT FEEL NORMAL, GOES DOWN ROUGHLY MAKING ABNORMAL SOUND, INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE, DEALER CHANGED MASTER CYLINDER/PADS/ROTORS/ BLED SENSOR AND BRAKE LINE, REPAIRED SEVEN TIMES. *AK

Apr 02, 1997

+ 7 more complaints for this component

AIR BAGS

8 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

Dec 23, 2004

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

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

Dec 19, 2001

Injuries: 1

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 40 MPH ON HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO HER VEHICLE, CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T GO OFF. THERE WERE SLIGHT INJURIES. *AK

Feb 06, 2001

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT AT THE SPEED OF 40 MPH AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT INFLATE. THE IMPACT BETWEEN MY CHEST AND THE STEERING WHEEL LEFT ME WITH BRUISED RIBS. I AM VERY APPRECIATIVE THAT THE ACCIDENT OR THE INJURY WAS NOT SEVERE. IF YOU CAN LOOK INTO A COUPLE OF MY CONCERNS, 1) AT WHICH SPEED SHOULD THE AIR BAG DEPLOY, 2) IF IT WAS TO DEPLOY AT 40MPH THEN WHAT SHOULD BE MY NEXT STEP TOWARDS KIA TO VERIFY THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO ANY ONE AGAIN. *AK

May 03, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON NOV.04 98, AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CONSUMER WAS INJURED. *AK

Nov 06, 1998

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 3 more complaints for this component

POWER TRAIN

7 complaints

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

Nov 08, 2001

TRANSMISSION IS GOING TO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO VIBRATION AND NOISE. *JB

Apr 02, 2001

THE WIND LEAKS WERE AN ONGOING ANOYANCE AND I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK SEVERAL TIMES AND FINALLY GAVE UP WITH AN IMPROVEMENT BUT NO FIX. THE DEALER SAID KIA ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM BUT HAD NO FIX. THE SHIFT SENSOR AND SOLENOID FAILURE MADE THE CAR SO IT COULD NOT SHIFT GEARS AND THE KEY COULD NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE CAR! THIS WITHIN DAYS OF THE WARRENTY EXPIRATION AND AND WITH LESS THAN 16K MILES ON THE CAR. THIS SHOULD BE CHECKED TO SEE IF ITS SYMTOMATIC AND A RECALL STARTED IF IT IS.

Oct 25, 1999

TRANSMISSION FAILURE.

Mar 17, 1998

NOISE AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION.

May 19, 1997

+ 2 more complaints for this component

SEAT BELTS

6 complaints

THE REAR SEAT BELT ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE WILL NOT RELEASE. *AK

Dec 05, 2003

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

Sep 23, 2003

THE DRIVER-SIDE SEAT BELT FASTENER WILL NOT WORK. I HAVE CONTACTED KIA, BUT THEY SAY THAT THIS ITEM IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I HAVE NOT ABUSED THIS PIECE OF EQUIPMENT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD A SEAT BELT FAIL (IN ANY OTHER CAR-- NOR HEARD OF THIS) BECAUSE IT COMES UNLATCHED. I AM REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS AS IT SEEMS I WILL NEED TO PAY FOR THE NEW SEAT BELT FASTENER. TS

Jan 04, 2003

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. ANOTHER AUTO HIT CONSUMER PUSHING THE VEHICLE INTO A TREE. THE SEAT BELT UNLATCHED AND CONSUMER WAS THROWN INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDSHIELD. CONSUMER SUFFERED HEAD, NECK AND SHOULDER INJURIES. *JG

Sep 20, 2002

Injuries: 1

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, BUT LAP AND SHOULDER BELT DIDN'T HOLD. CONSUMER WAS THROWN INTO WINDOW AND SUSTAINED INJURIES. *AK *YH

Aug 08, 2002

Crash: 1

Injuries: 1

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

6 complaints

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

Jul 12, 2001

WHILE DRIVING HAD NOTICED A BURNING ODOR. TOOK TO DEALER & INFORMED CONSUMER IT WAS THE OIL THAT WAS BURNING, BUT ODOR STILL PERSISTED. LIFTED TRUNK FOR USAGE & NOTICED CARPET HAD BURNED. A FRIEND CHECKED UNDER VEHICLE & NOTICED A HOLE ON TOP OF MUFFLER. NOTIFIED DEALER & WAS CHARGED TO HAVE MUFFLER REPLACED. *AK

Jun 17, 1999

ENGINE STALLS.

Jul 08, 1997

CAR IS CONSTANTLY LEAKING OIL. MANUFACTURER CONTACTED, REPLACED THE DRIVE LINES AND TWO SEALS,. MANUFACTURER TOLD OWNER THAT VEHICLE WOULD NOT LEAK ANY MORE. PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

Jun 26, 1997

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. HAD AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STALLED JUST AS I WAS MAKING A TURN TO GO ONTO THE RAMP WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK

Jun 02, 1997

Crash: 1

+ 1 more complaint for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

4 complaints

THE VEHICLES HORN DID NOT BLOW LOUD ENOUGH TO WARN OTHER VEHICLES. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *NLM

Apr 23, 2003

INTERIOR WIRING HARNESS FAILURE.

Dec 22, 1997

Fire: 1

WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH LIGHTS ON DASH WENT OUT AND SMOKE FILLED THE CAR. THE WIRES UNDER THE DASH THAT RUNS TO THE ENGINE COUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CONTACTED NO ENJURIES. MANF. CONTACTED.

Jun 17, 1997

Fire: 1

COMPUTER FAILURE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL.

Jan 06, 1997

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 complaints

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

Aug 25, 2003

Crash: 1

THROTTLE SENSOR MISADJUSTED.

Jul 08, 1997

CRUISE CONTROL SPEED DROPPED 10MPH ON SLIGHT SLOPE.

Nov 13, 1996

EQUIPMENT

2 complaints

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

Oct 07, 2003

Fire: 1

AIR CONDITIONER NOT COOLING PROPERLY.

Nov 13, 1996

SUSPENSION

2 complaints

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

Jun 16, 2003

WHEEL BEARINGS MISADJUSTED, CAUSING VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL.

Nov 13, 1996

WHEELS

2 complaints

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH REAR DRIVER WHEEL AND WHEEL ASSEMBLY FELL OFF. NO ACCIDENT, AND NO INJURIES.*AK

Nov 05, 2001

NO SUMMARY

Aug 09, 2000

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 complaints

NOTE: THIS INFORMATION WAS REPORTED TO THE CONSUMER PRODUCT SAFETY COMMISSION (CPSC), WHO INDICATED THAT IT WAS NOT IN THEIR JURISDICTION, AND DIRECTED ME TO REPORT IT TO THIS (NHTSA) GROUP. THERE APPEARS TO BE NO FORM OR EMAIL NOTIFICATION METHOD ON THIS SITE FOR NON-VEHICLE NOTIFICATIONS, PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DIRECT ME TO AN ALTERNATE WAY TO REPORT THIS FAILURE: THE KARRITE DUOSPORT CARTOP CARRIER IS A MOLDED PLASTIC "SHELL" TYPE CARRIER, SIMILAR TO THE YAKIMA AND THULE LINES. ON JULY 4, 2000, WHILE TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS, THIS CLOSED AND LOCKED CARRIER, OPENED, AND ALLOWED EQUIPMENT TO FLY OUT ONTO THE ROADWAY OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS RESULTED IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT, INVOLVING SEVERAL CARS. YOU MAY CONTACT ME FOR FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Jul 08, 2000

Injuries: 3

MANUFACTURER IGNORES MY REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ABOUT 2 RECALLS ON THIS CAR. NO DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Feb 17, 1999

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

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

Apr 09, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

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

Nov 20, 2001

Injuries: 1

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL AND DIE. DEALER HAS INSPECTED AND REPAIRED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES. *AK

Oct 18, 2000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,AIR BAGS

1 complaint

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

Dec 17, 1999

Crash: 1

Injuries: 3

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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

Dec 08, 1999

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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

Nov 10, 1999

SUSPENSION,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

1 complaint

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....

Jul 15, 1999

SERVICE BRAKES, AIR,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

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.

Nov 12, 1998

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER,POWER TRAIN,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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

Dec 11, 1997

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

LIGHTING; WHEN DRIVING ALONG THE HIGHWAY THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS AUTOMATICALLY GO OUT WITH NO WARNING. HAVE TAKEN IN FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM EIGHT TIMES, THE DEALER SAY IT'S A PINCHED WIRE. *AK

Jun 04, 1997

TIRES

1 complaint

MICHELIN TIRE SIDEWALL BLEW OUT. (P20575R15)

Dec 11, 1996

VISIBILITY

1 complaint

WINDSHIELD WIPER ASSEMBLY REPLACED.

Nov 13, 1996

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

SUNVISOR HARD TO TURN DOWN.

Nov 13, 1996

INTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

DOME LIGHT INOPERATIVE.

Nov 13, 1996

POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

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

Aug 30, 1996

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4.3/5.0

78 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 1996 KIA Sportage have?

The 1996 KIA Sportage currently has 69 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 1996 KIA Sportage?

The most common problems reported for the 1996 KIA Sportage are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 1996 KIA Sportage problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 1996 KIA Sportage comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.