1995 KIA Sportage
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sportage › 1995
These records cover every 1995 KIA Sportage. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
2 recalls name the 1995 KIA Sportage. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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 and remedy
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.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect and retorque the rear axle bearing oil seal retainer nuts.
Owner complaints
56 complaints2 involved a crash1 involved a fire1 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- 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.
- Engine and engine cooling
Vehicle stalled. It died in traffic everyday. consumer stated he was afraid of being involved in a collision.*ak
- Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf spring assembly › U-bolt, leaf spring to axle · Wheels
While driving left rear wheel came off. axle bearing oil seal retaining nut was missing. *ak
- 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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
While driving 45mph fumes come through the vents. *Ak
- 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.*ak
- 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…
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).
- 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…
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.*ak
- 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. *ak
- 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…
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
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · 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
- 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.*ak
- Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · 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
- 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
- Electrical system › Horn · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · 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. *ak
- 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*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Cracks have developed in the engine block, cause unknown. Please give any further details.*ak
- Structure › Frame and members
Vehicle IS making a loud noise at the bottom of the car, consumer cannot get passed 40 mph. *ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline · Power train › Axle hubs · Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar · Suspension › Front · Visibility › Windshield
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 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 play in the steering wheel.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Contacted dealership about the exhaust system/catalytic converter. took vehicle to dealership. After arriving, was informed that no parts were available. would order parts & contact owner. So far no contact with dealership on catalytic converter. *ak
- 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
- Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core
Coolant leak from heater core numerous times, causing car to overheat even after being replaced over and over again.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control › Catalytic convertor
Consumer purchased vehicle in december 9., since then there has been raw odors and odors of fumes. She was told by mechanics that the catylac converter was gone. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Seat belt comes undone while I'm driving, in fact I can pull it out manually!
- Power train › Axle assembly
At freeway speed left bearing seized pulling left tire and wheel along with axle out of rear end. wheel and axle spun through traffic . Car went to median
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- 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.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10133170PITSTOP - 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.
- 10109812TSB: 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 nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
- 10109777TSB: 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 pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
- 10026726KIA: 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.
- 10015753Fuel pump relays & emissions failures. KIA technician times.
- 10000033This bulletin provided information related to recall campaign 027 to replace the front seat belt buckles.
- 10000032Recall campaign 027 to replace front seat belt buckles. Notification letter to dealers.
- 614028Subject regarding steering knuckle replacement.
Every KIA Sportage model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.