The 1995 Kia Sportage has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 191,025 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the seat belts. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS02V2160002002-08-16189,706 affected
Defect
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.
SUSPENSION95V0730001995-04-111,319 affected
Defect
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.
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
6
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR
4
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE
4
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
4
SUSPENSION:FRONT
4
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
3
Total complaints88
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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.”
“Vehicle stalled. It died in traffic everyday. Consumer stated he was afraid of being involved in a collision.*ak”
“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”
“While driving 45mph fumes come through the vents. *ak”
“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”
“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…”
“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.…”
“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.…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02051 Opened 2002-06-17 · closed 2002-09-20
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.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1995 Kia Sportage as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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