1996 Kia Sportage Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 26%of 57 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 1996 Kia Sportage, 26% of the 57 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Help!! I have tried for 6 weeks now to contact Kia with little success, after a month of trying a factory tech finally came out to look at my car and did confirm some of the problems, including the random accelration, he promised to contact me within 4 days and it has now been 3 weeks, I have left messages and faxes with their consumer affairs dept and as of yet have received no response. These are some of the problems I have had: transmission replaced 3 times, 4 trans has problems, rear shocks broken - manuf. …”
NHTSA complaint #708653, filed 1999-07“While driving, seat belt detaches. When driving more than 35-40 MPH consumer has to depress brakes harder than usual. Consumer states there was an accident and that there were problems with the belts detaching 2-3 months prior to the accident, one person was injured in the accident, consumer did not list the cause of the accident.”
NHTSA complaint #899324, filed 2001-11“Remote control window motor blew in the right passager seat front exhuast pipe fell from the manifold, A/C blower switch failed,A/C filter broke,3 times brakes had to be adjusted, head light blew, both oxygen sensors have been replace due to check engine light coming on, currently car is still in the shop for the 21 day concerning the check engine issue.”
NHTSA complaint #700534, filed 1998-11“Transmission shifts erratically. In addition, noisy rear brakes due to recent brake adjustments/steering wheel column will not lock/ gas gauge failure/ odometer failure/passenger's side sunvisor disconnects from clip when encountering harsh ride or when visor is pulled down and engine often hard to start.”
NHTSA complaint #526320, filed 1997-12“When the brakes were applied in a panic stop pedal was normal, and vehicle experienced extended stopping, causing a collision which resulted in injuries. Also, airbags did not deploy. The dealer and manufacturer have been notified and will not cooperate at all.”
NHTSA complaint #854102, filed 1999-12Related service bulletins
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: 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…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 21% |
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 7 | 9% |
| 2023 | 34 | 18% |
| 2022 | 2 | 4% |
| 2020 | 13 | 8% |
| 2019 | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 | 11 | 7% |
| 2017 | 26 | 6% |
| 2016 | 38 | 28% |
| 2015 | 31 | 21% |
| 2014 | 24 | 19% |
| 2013 | 25 | 7% |
| 2012 | 11 | 3% |
| 2011 | 25 | 14% |
| 2010 | 6 | 30% |
| 2009 | 15 | 19% |
| 2008 | 23 | 23% |
| 2007 | 12 | 16% |
| 2006 | 10 | 9% |
| 2005 | 6 | 9% |
| 2002 | 25 | 11% |
| 2001 | 27 | 12% |
| 2000 | 54 | 18% |
| 1999 | 44 | 15% |
| 1998 | 71 | 23% |
| 1997 | 19 | 11% |
| 1996 | 15 | 26% |
| 1995 | 6 | 11% |
Other parts of the 1996 Kia Sportage
11 complaintsEngine cooling
10 complaintsAir bags
9 complaintsSeat belts
8 complaintsElectrical system
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsEquipment
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsInterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Kia Sportage
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology