1996 Kia Sportage power train problems
11 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the power train on the 1996 Kia Sportage — 19% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“The car's rear left tire detached from the vehicle. The lug nuts and the assembly where intact. From what the body shop told me the ball bearings melted causing the casing where the bolts go to detach. I'm not a mechanic so I don't know the details but if you need further information please do not…”
filed Nov 15, 2001
“Transmission would fail to shift into gear. Would be slipping each time. The "hold" light on instrument panel would come on & stay while vehicle is operational. The pvs light comes on also. When applying the brakes to come to a stop, vehicle would shake. *ak”
filed Dec 8, 1999
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Power Train problems in other Sportage years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 Sportage | 6 | 12% |
| 2024 Sportage | 3 | 5% |
| 2023 Sportage | 18 | 10% |
| 2022 Sportage | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 Sportage | 3 | 6% |
| 2020 Sportage | 2 | 1% |
| 2019 Sportage | 7 | 10% |
| 2018 Sportage | 17 | 11% |
| 2017 Sportage | 40 | 10% |
| 2016 Sportage | 8 | 6% |
| 2015 Sportage | 6 | 4% |
| 2014 Sportage | 4 | 3% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1996 Kia Sportage
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.