Photo may show a different model year; you're viewing the 1996.
Overview
- Body
- Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WDEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel DriveEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Transmission
- Manual 5-spdEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Powertrain
- GasEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel
- RegularEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Engine & performance
- Aspiration
- Naturally aspiratedEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Efficiency
- MPG Hwy
- 20 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG City
- 16 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- MPG Comb
- 18 mpgEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Fuel $/yr
- $3,450EPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
- Elec. Range
- 0 miEPA, from EPA, last updated 6/22/2026
Dimensions & capacity
- GVWR class
- Class 1C (4,001 to 5,000 lb)NHTSA vPIC, from NHTSA vPIC, last updated 10/13/2026
Safety NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
- Recalls
- 3
- Owner complaints
- 57 See on NHTSA
- Reported injuries
- 27
Recalls NHTSA record NHTSA, model year
02V216000 Aug 16, 2002 SEAT BELTSON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Summary: 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.
Vehicles covered (all models): 189,706
Full notice97V234000 Dec 17, 1997 LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGESVEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Summary: VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. A MICROSWITCH ON THE REAR HATCH LOCK CYLINDER CAN MALFUNCTION CAUSING THE POWER DOOR LOCKS TO UNLOCK INADVERTENTLY.
Consequence: SHOULD THIS OCCUR, SECURITY FROM UNWANTED INTRUSION INTO THE VEHICLE IS LOST.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL MODIFY THE REAR HATCH DOOR UNLOCK CIRCUIT.
Vehicles covered (all models): 23,493
Full notice96V131000 Jul 15, 1996 VEHICLE SPEED CONTROLTHE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
Summary: THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY COULD BIND OR STICK DURING OPERATION.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL ASSEMBLY.
Vehicles covered (all models): 693
Full noticeSource: NHTSA
Reported problems NHTSA record NHTSA owner complaints, model year
- SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC16%
- POWER TRAIN13%
- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11%
- AIR BAGS10%
- SEAT BELTS9%
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM8%
Source: NHTSA owner complaints, 87 total.
Kia Sportage: best and worst yearsFederal investigations NHTSA record NHTSA defect investigations, model year
EA06007opened May 9, 2006FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL TANK LEAKAGE
PE02051opened Jun 17, 2002SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
Warranty manufacturer terms, by make
- Basic
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- Powertrain
- 10 yr / 100k mi
- Roadside assistance
- 5 yr / 60k mi
- EV battery
- 10 yr / 100k mi
Source: www.cars.com as of 2026-06
Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.