1995 Kia SPORTAGE: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
111,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 28 complaints (14.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 4 | 14.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 3.6% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 3.6% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 3.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 3.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 4 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor | 3 |
| Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage | 3 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Visibility:Windshield | 2 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 1 |
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 4; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor: 3; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Anchorage: 3; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Visibility:Windshield: 2; Electrical System:Horn: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 0 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 0; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 0
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 26 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 5 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 2000 | 7 |
| 2001 | 4 |
| 2002 | 6 |
| 2003 | 1 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2006 | 1 |
1995: 5; 1996: 3; 2000: 7; 2001: 4; 2002: 6; 2003: 1; 2004: 1; 2006: 1
Pattern summary
Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 4 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 1 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10022706 · 2003-06-09 (June 9, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10022706 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091576 · 2004-09-08 (September 8, 2004)
VEHICLE STALLED. IT DIED IN TRAFFIC EVERYDAY. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091576 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152900 · 2006-03-16 (March 16, 2006)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. 114,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152900 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 506631 · 1996-07-25 (July 25, 1996)
FUEL TANK ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO STALL. *SD
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 506631 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 558276 · 2000-12-04 (December 4, 2000)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 558276 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 560859 · 2001-04-19 (April 19, 2001)
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. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 560859 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 724567 · 2000-06-26 (June 26, 2000)
THE ENGINE WILL START UP AND STAY AT APROX 3000 RPM FOR AT LEAST 30 SECONDS. A FEW TIMES IT WOULD NOT START AT ALL. TWICE THE RPMS JUMPED WHILE EACH MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING IT AND ALMOST CAUSED ACCIDENTS. THE LOCKING HUBS ON THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ARE NOT UNLOCKING. IT CAUSED SOME SLIDING IN THE RAIN GOING AROUND A CORNER. THE WHEELS ALWAYS TURN AT THE SAME RATE AROUND CORNERS. THE TRIM IS COMING LOOSE AROUND THE WINDSHIELD. THE TRANSMISSION IS ROUGH WHEN I SHIFT, AND DURING DRIVING IT WILL SOME TIMES SURGE FORWARD AND BACK. TOO MUCH PL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 724567 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 741307 · 2001-02-22 (February 22, 2001)
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
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 741307 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V216000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2002-08-16 (August 16, 2002)
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗95V073000 · Suspension:Rear
Reported: 1995-04-11 (April 11, 1995)
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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND RETORQUE THE REAR AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINER NUTS.
NHTSA campaign record ↗