Owners have filed 88 complaints
about the 1995 KIA Sportage with NHTSA between 1995 and 2006.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 30 of 30 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 19
Against the median year of the KIA Sportage. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 23
4.5% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — not reported
Too few complaints recorded a mileage to measure this.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Aug 1995peak 9Mar 2006
NHTSA investigations into the 1995 KIA Sportage
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE02051Opened 17 Jun 2002Closed 20 Sep 2002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
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.
Recalls on the 1995 KIA Sportage
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
02V216000
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
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.
95V073000
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
Liberty, PA1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
VEHICLE LOST 4WD, GOT STUCK AND CRACKED BODY MOLDING, RESPONSE FROM DEALER WAS TO REPLACE FRONT END COMPONENTS,SECOND OCCURRENCE WHILE TRAVELING IN SNOW STORM, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE HIT TREE EMBANKMENT, WHEN PULLED OUT CONSUMER REALIZED 4WD HAD GONE OUT, DEALER RESONSE WAS TO BAD VACUUM SEALS, THIRD OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD DUE TO VACUUM LINE BEING RUSTED, AND FOURTH OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD AND DEALER REPLACE FRONT END COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #560859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bartlett, TNCrash
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:RECLINER
BOTH FRONT SEATS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS IN THE WRECK, LUCKILY MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE REAR SEAT. IF ANYONE HAD BEEN SITTING IN THE WINDOW SEATS, THEIR LEGS WOULD HAVE BEEN PINNED IN BY THE COLLAPSED FRONT SEATS
NHTSA complaint #716061 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FLFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING
SMOKE WAS SEEN COMING FROM THE HOOD AREA. AS CONSUMER STOPPED TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS, HE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE HAD CAUGHT FIRE DUE TO AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #830774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Memphis, TNCrash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT 35 MPH AND SIDE SWIPED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT. THE DRIVER'S AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THE ACCIDENT. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #829023 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 114,000 milesKenmore, WA
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.
NHTSA complaint #10152900 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesIngleside, TX
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLED. IT DIED IN TRAFFIC EVERYDAY. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #10091576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, WI
WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING.
NHTSA complaint #10022706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norwalk, WI
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING.
NHTSA complaint #10022706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oakland, CA
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
NHTSA complaint #8021355 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Peru, NY
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH FUMES COME THROUGH THE VENTS.
NHTSA complaint #8018922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Salem, OR
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.
NHTSA complaint #764875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mountain City, TN
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).
NHTSA complaint #761930 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Danville, PA
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.
NHTSA complaint #760353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mission Viejo, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
CAR HAS STALLED IN MAJOR INTERSECTIONS 6 TIMES NOW AND RETURNED TO DEALER 4 TIMES. THE DEALER IS UNABLE TO FIND A PROBLEM. OCCUPANT OF VEHICLE NARROWLY MISSED A MAJOR COLLISION TWICE. THE CAR STALLS BUT ELECTRICAL POWER STILL THERE.
NHTSA complaint #757858 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Liberty, PA1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:LEVER AND LINKAGE:COLUMN SHIFT
VEHICLE LOST 4WD, GOT STUCK AND CRACKED BODY MOLDING, RESPONSE FROM DEALER WAS TO REPLACE FRONT END COMPONENTS,SECOND OCCURRENCE WHILE TRAVELING IN SNOW STORM, LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE HIT TREE EMBANKMENT, WHEN PULLED OUT CONSUMER REALIZED 4WD HAD GONE OUT, DEALER RESONSE WAS TO BAD VACUUM SEALS, THIRD OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD DUE TO VACUUM LINE BEING RUSTED, AND FOURTH OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD AND DEALER REPLACE FRONT END COMPONENTS.
NHTSA complaint #560859 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channelview, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
THESE ARE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS. THE ORIGINAL ONES ALSO STOPPED WORKING. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. THEY SAID VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (< 34K MILES). NHTSA NOTIFIED 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THESE BELTS ARE FAILING CONSTANTLY. LATCH MECHANISM IS NOT HOLDING. IT SLIPS OUT. REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK DUE TO LATCH FAILURES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #741307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channelview, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
THESE ARE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELTS. THE ORIGINAL ONES ALSO STOPPED WORKING. BOTH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE CONTACTED. THEY SAID VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY (< 34K MILES). NHTSA NOTIFIED 2 YEARS AGO. NOW THESE BELTS ARE FAILING CONSTANTLY. LATCH MECHANISM IS NOT HOLDING. IT SLIPS OUT. REAR DOORS WOULD NOT LOCK DUE TO LATCH FAILURES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #741307 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
LOS Gatos, CA
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SEATBELT IS RELEASING ,IT IS COMING OUT OF BUCKLE ON ITS OWN WHILE CONSUMER IS WEARING SEATBELT, CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. BUCKLE HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT, AND REPLACEMENT ONLY LASTED ABOUT 2 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #881255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channel View, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLES HAVE FAILED AND HAVE COME UNLATCHED ON THEIR OWN WHILE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING THEM,CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. BUCKLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE PRIOR, BUT REPLACEMENT PART HAS FAILED ONLY AFTER 2 YEARS OF USAGE. *AK *SLC REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO LATCH FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Channel View, TX
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE SEATBELT BUCKLES HAVE FAILED AND HAVE COME UNLATCHED ON THEIR OWN WHILE PASSENGERS WERE WEARING THEM,CAUSING LOSS OF PROTECTION. BUCKLES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ONCE PRIOR, BUT REPLACEMENT PART HAS FAILED ONLY AFTER 2 YEARS OF USAGE. *AK *SLC REAR DOORS WOULD NOT OPEN DUE TO LATCH FAILURE. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #880948 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke P, FL
TIRES
CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER WITHIN FIVE DAYS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT DUE TO POSSIBLE DEFECT, TIRE MAKE/MODEL NOT PROVIDED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pembroke P, FL
TIRES
CONSUMER PURCHASED NEW TIRES FOR THE VEHICLE, HOWEVER WITHIN FIVE DAYS THE REPLACEMENT TIRE EXPERIENCED A BLOW OUT DUE TO POSSIBLE DEFECT, TIRE MAKE/MODEL NOT PROVIDED. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #558276 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forthworth, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE/ ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY/ INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN ANY OF THESE CONCERN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #874953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forthworth, TX
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE/ ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY/ INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN ANY OF THESE CONCERN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #874953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forthworth, TX
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE/ ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY/ INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN ANY OF THESE CONCERN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #874953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Forthworth, TX
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
HORN FAILED TO OPERATE/ ALL OF THE POWER WINDOWS FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY/ INSTRUMENT PANEL BRAKE LIGHT WOULD COME ON WHENEVER THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, AND DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WOULD COME UNLATCHED WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED AND REFUSED TO ASSIST THE CONSUMER IN ANY OF THESE CONCERN. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #874953 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Novato, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
AFTER STARTING VEHICLE COULD HEAR A LOT OF TICKING INSIDE OF ENGINE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO A TECHNICIAN, AND THE HYDRAULIC LIFTERS HAD BEEN REPLACED THREE TIMES
NHTSA complaint #874927 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Ventura, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
CRACKS HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE ENGINE BLOCK, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #871669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Fort Worth, TX
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
VEHICLE IS MAKING A LOUD NOISE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, CONSUMER CANNOT GET PASSED 40 MPH.
NHTSA complaint #866119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.