Total Complaints
88 filings
KIA SPORTAGE · model year
1995 KIA SPORTAGE
88 NHTSA complaints, 2 crash reports for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 1995KIASPORTAGE carries 88 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 2 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 1995 SPORTAGE is seat belts:front:buckle assembly with 6 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5) and structure:body:door (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 1995 SPORTAGE. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
88
Complaints
2
Crashes
1
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
Crashes Reported
2 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Complaints vs. fleet median (215)
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
Complaints by Component
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY | 6 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 5 |
| STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR | 4 |
| SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE | 4 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 4 |
| SUSPENSION:FRONT | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 4 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR | 4 |
| VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD | 3 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 3 |
| STEERING: STEERING WHEEL/HANDLE BAR | 3 |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL | 3 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 2 |
Recent Complaints
20060316ENGINE 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.
Mileage: 114,000
20040908ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VEHICLE STALLED. IT DIED IN TRAFFIC EVERYDAY. CONSUMER STATED HE WAS AFRAID OF BEING INVOLVED IN A COLLISION.*AK
Mileage: 109,000
20030609WHEELS
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING. *AK
20030609SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY:U-BOLT, LEAF SPRING TO AXLE
WHILE DRIVING LEFT REAR WHEEL CAME OFF. AXLE BEARING OIL SEAL RETAINING NUT WAS MISSING. *AK
20021022SUSPENSION: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
20020918VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM
WHILE DRIVING 45MPH FUMES COME THROUGH THE VENTS. *AK
20020731SEAT 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
20020520ENGINE 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 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).
20020408SEAT 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, 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
20020208FUEL 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
20010507POWER 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, THIRD OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD DUE TO VACUUM LINE BEING RUSTED, AND FOURTH OCCURRENCE LOST 4WD AND DEALER REPLACE FRONT END COMPONENTS. *JB
20010305SEAT 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
20010305LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
20010223SEAT 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
20010221SEAT 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
20010221LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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
20010129TIRES
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
20010123TIRES
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
20001114ENGINE 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
20001114ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
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
Compare 1995KIASPORTAGE to Similar Vehicles
NHTSA Investigations
Frequently Asked Questions
How many complaints does the 1995 KIA SPORTAGE have?▼
The 1995 KIA SPORTAGE has 88 NHTSA complaints, 2 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 KIA SPORTAGE?▼
The most-complained component for the 1995 KIA SPORTAGE is SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP and STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR.
Is the 1995 KIA SPORTAGE safe to buy?▼
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?▼
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.
Vehicle Safety Guides
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.