Model year record

1995 Kia Sportage recalls & problems

The 1995 Kia Sportage has 2 safety recalls and 56 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (15 complaints).

Recalls2safety recalls

Complaints56filed by owners

Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths1 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Seat beltsAug 16, 2002

Front › Buckle assembly

Recall 02V216000189,706 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem: 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.
Fix: 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.

SuspensionApr 11, 1995

Rear

Recall 95V0730001,319 vehicles

Problem: THE NUTS ATTACHING THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINERS AND BRAKE BACKING PLATES TO THE REAR AXLE HOUSING MAY BE UNDER- TORQUED CAUSING THESE UNITS TO LOOSEN OR FALL OFF.
Risk: THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE (1) OIL LEAKAGE INTO THE REAR BRAKE AND ONTO THE BRAKE LININGS; (2) REAR BRAKE DAMAGE FROM THE AXLE NUTSFALLING INTO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS; OR (3) SEPARATION OF THE REAR WHEEL/AXLESHAFT FROM THE VEHICLE RESULTING IN AN INCREASED POTENTIAL FOR A VEHICLE ACCIDENT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETORQUE THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINER NUTS.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sportage 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 21 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Sportage 4WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	18 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Sportage 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	16 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

Sportage 4WD

18mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Engine and engine coolingEngine › Gasoline; Engine	15	0	0	—
Seat beltsFront › Buckle assembly; Front › Anchorage	11	0	0	—
Electrical systemHorn; Ignition	8	1	0	—
VisibilityWindshield; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	8	0	0	—
Service brakes, hydraulicAntilock/traction control/electronic limited slip; Foundation components	6	0	0	—
SuspensionFront; Rear	6	0	0	—
SteeringSteering wheel/handle bar; Linkages › Knuckle › Spindle › Arm	5	0	0	—
StructureBody › Door; Frame and members	5	0	0	—
Latches/locks/linkagesDoors › Latch; Hood › Latch	4	0	0	—
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Axle assembly	4	0	1	—
TiresTemporary/emergency spare tire	3	0	0	—
Vehicle speed controlCruise control	3	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH THE ENGINE LOCKED CAUSING LOSE OF POWER. THERE IS A SPECIAL CAMPAIGN #011, REGARDING THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE CAMPAIGN; HOWEVER IT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE CAMPAIGN DUE TO THE VIN.
Mar 16, 2006 · 114,000 miles
Engine and engine cooling
VEHICLE STALLED. IT DIED IN TRAFFIC EVERYDAY. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.*AK
Aug 17, 2004 · 109,000 miles
Wheels
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING. *AK
Jun 9, 2003
Suspension › Rear
CONSUMER STATES WHILE CROSSING A BRIDGE THE REAR AXLE AND TIRE FLEW OFF, CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL AND COME TO A STOP. TOWED TO A MECHANIC, AND MECHANIC STATED THAT THE DIFFERENTRAL NEEDS REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR
Oct 16, 2002
Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH FUMES COME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK
Jul 5, 2002
Seat belts › Front › Anchorage
DRIVER'S SEAT BELT HAS ALWAYS HAD PROBLEMS "CONNECTING" PROPERLY. OFTEN WILL DETACH WHILE DRIVING UNLESS IT IS PROPERLY "SEATED" AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS.*AK
Jul 29, 2002
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE IN 1997 AND HAVE REPLACED 4 CATALYTIC CONVERTERS IN 5 YEARS. THERE WAS A RECALL IN 2000, AND WE REPLACED IT THE 4TH TIME DURING MY OWNERSHIP. IT IS OUT AGAIN AND I AM GETTING FROM KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I MUST PAY FOR IT. I THINK THIS PART IS SERIOUSLY FAULTY FOR IT TO CHANGED OUT SO MANY TIMES. WHY DO I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT AND THEN HAVE TO GO THROUGH THIS EVERY YEAR OR SO AS LONG AS I OWN THE VEHICLE. I REALLY WOULD APPRECIATE ANY HELP FROM YOU. THANK YOU, [XXX]. *AK PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
Aug 1, 2001
Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
SEAT BELTS SOMETIMES LATCH PARTIALLY. A BELT SEEMS TO HAVE LATCHED, BUT POPS LOOSE LATER. WE REPLACED THE FRON-LEFT SEAT BELT TWICE, I BELIEVE, IN 1998, DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. NOW BOTH THE FRONT-LEF AND FRONT-RIGHT BELTS HAVE BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM. AN EMPLOYEE OF THE KIA DEALER SUNBURY MOTORS, SUNBURY, PA (RON, NIGHT SHIFT) VERIFIED THE PROBLEM AND APPLIED A LUBRICANT. HE SUGGESTED THAT WE REPORT THE PROBLEM AT THIS WEB SITE AND SAID HE WOULD MENTION IT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE PARTIAL LATCH DOES NOT SEEM TO HAPPEN ANY MORE AFTER LUBRICATION. WE HAVE ORDERED TWO NEW SEAT BELTS ANYWAY.*AK
Apr 6, 2002

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONClosedLed to recall 02V216000
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 25, 2002, KIA ADVISED NHTSA THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY KIA HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AT THIS TIME.THE SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.
PE02051 · opened Jun 17, 2002 · closed Sep 20, 2002