1996 Kia Sportage
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Kia Sportage is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 98 on record.
1996 Kia Sportage at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Kia Sportage recalls 3
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Fix: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Kia Sportage common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 69 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Kia Sportage MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 3 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Kia Sportage costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE Closed
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 COMPONEN…
NHTSA #EA06007 · Fuel System, Gasoline · opened May 2006 · closed Nov 2007SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION Closed
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.
NHTSA #PE02051 · Seat Belts · opened Jun 2002 · closed Sep 2002An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 8
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered.
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Bulletin PS539 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2018TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nu…
Bulletin TSB-GEN085R1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jan 2017TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pi…
Bulletin TSB-GEN085 · Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Nov 2016KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE
Bulletin KT-2008082201 · Parking Brake, Exterior Lighting · Aug 2008FUEL PUMP RELAYS & EMISSIONS FAILURES. KIA TECHNICIAN TIMES. *TT
Bulletin 76 · Fuel System, Other · Jan 2004RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DEALERS. *TT
Bulletin 027 · Seat Belts · Dec 2002THIS BULLETIN PROVIDED INFORMATION RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. *TT
Bulletin 027 · Seat Belts · Dec 2002SUBJECT REGARDING STEERING KNUCKLE REPLACEMENT. *TT
Bulletin 33000003 · Steering · Jun 2000Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SPORTAGE. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Kia Sportage
The Kia Sportage is a compact SUV manufactured by the South Korean manufacturer Kia through five generations. At its launch in 1993, the nameplate was used for a vehicle produced under a joint venture with Mazda, and shared its platform with the Mazda Bongo.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1996 Kia Sportage vehicles on record
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5635T5112209
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112246
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5111221
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5538T5112335
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5545T5113157
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5538T5109044
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535V5114528
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5108954
1996 Kia SportageKNDJA7230T5522071
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5545T5108063
1996 Kia SportageKNEJA5535T5411867
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5545T5113712
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5545T5109366
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5109120
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112241
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535V5115411
1996 Kia SportageKNEJA5535V5418202
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112156
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5111370
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112205
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112216
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5110301
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5112939
1996 Kia SportageKNAJA5535T5109960