NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Kia Sportage Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Kia Sportage has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Kia Sportage. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
KIA/SEAT BELT BUCKLE
NHTSA #02V216000 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported August 16, 2002 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 189,706 vehicles
Kia campaign SC027 · Owners notified December 20, 2002 · Vehicles built October 20, 1994 – June 24, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer 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.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
KIA/REAR HATCH DOOR
NHTSA #97V234000 · Latches/Locks/Linkages — Hatchback/Liftgate — Lock · NHTSA notice
Reported December 17, 1997 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 23,493 vehicles
Owners notified December 15, 1997 · Vehicles built July 26, 1996 – August 12, 1997 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Safety consequence
SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
Notes
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 15, 1997. 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 1-800-333-4KIA (1-800-333-4542).ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Vehicle Speed Control — Accelerator Pedal
Reported July 15, 1996 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 693 vehicles
Owners notified July 3, 1996 · Vehicles built March 1, 1996 – July 1, 1996 (per NHTSA)
Defect description
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
Safety 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.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
Notes
SYSTEM: FUEL; THROTTLE LINAGKES AND CONTROL; PEDAL. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MULTI-PURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLES; EX MODEL. OWNER NOTIFICATION: OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 1996. A PRELIMINARY NOTIFICATION MAILGRAM WAS SENT TO OWNERS ON JULY 3, 1996. NOTE: 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 1-800-333-4KIA (1-800-333-4542). ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-800-424-9393.
Other Kia Sportage model years
Check your 1996 Kia Sportage VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Sportage at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
Check a Kia VIN