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.
The worst 1996 Kia Sportage problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes15
- Transmission11
- Engine10
- Airbags9
- Seat belts8
- Electrical7
- Acceleration5
- Body3
- Suspension3
- Fuel system2
- Lights2
- Visibility2
- Wheels2
- Steering1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1996 Kia Sportage
Recalls 3
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V216000 · Recall details
Latches/locks/linkages: hatchback/liftgate: lock
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. A microswitch on the rear hatch lock cylinder can malfunction causing the power door locks to unlock inadvertently.
- Risk
- Should this occur, security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost.
- Remedy
- Dealers will modify the rear hatch door unlock circuit.
Recall number 97V234000 · Recall details
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
- What is wrong
- The accelerator pedal assembly could bind or stick during operation.
- 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.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the accelerator pedal assembly.
Recall number 96V131000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 1996 Kia Sportage
Defect investigations
Fuel tank leakage
A safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time.review of the warranty data revealed elevated tank leakage experience in vehicles produced from june 1999 to october 2000.analysis of complaints and warranty claims identified multiple causes and origins of fuel tank assembly leakage.the majority of complaints involve non-specific allegations of fuel leakage where more than one fuel system component was replaced.odi's analysis focused on leaks occurring on the underside of the tank due to corrosive failure caused by disruption of the protective pvc coating.the analysisindicates that such leaks are rare and do not show evidence of an increasing trend. Accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances. See document file for additional information regarding this resume.
EA06007
Safety belt buckle malfunction
By letter dated august 25, 2002, kia advised the federal safety agency that the subject vehicles will be recalled.specific corrective action to be taken by kia has not been reported to the federal safety agency at this time.the safety recall program has been assigned campaign no. 02v‑216.
PE02051
Technical service bulletins for the 1996 Kia Sportage 8
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear...
- Fuel pump relays & emissions failures
- Recall campaign 027 to replace front seat belt buckles
- This bulletin provided information related to recall campaign 027 to replace the front seat belt buckles
- Subject regarding steering knuckle replacement
1996 Kia Sportage fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 2.0L 4‑cyl | 4WD | 16 | 20 | 18 |
What 1996 Kia Sportage owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The rear seat belt on the passenger's side will not release.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The vehicles horn did not blow loud enough to warn other vehicles. This could result in an accident.
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
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.
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
Compare the 1996 Kia Sportage
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Other model years
1995199619971998199920002001200220032005200620072008200920102011201220132014201520162017201820192020202120222023202420252026
Questions about the 1996 Kia Sportage
Is the 1996 Kia Sportage reliable?
Owners have filed 57 complaints about the 1996 Kia Sportage, fewer than a typical Sportage model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1996 Kia Sportage?
Brakes, with 15 complaints. Next is transmission (11).
How many recalls does the 1996 Kia Sportage have?
3 recalls, covering seat belts, latches/locks/linkages and vehicle speed control.
What year does the Kia Sportage have bad brakes?
The Kia Sportage model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (71 complaints), 2000 (54 complaints) and 1999 (44 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1996 Kia Sportage get?
Official estimates for the 1996 Kia Sportage range from 18 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.0L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 22 highway.
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