1995 Kia Sportage: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1995 Kia Sportage: 2 recalls, 56 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.

Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #95V073000 · 1995 · 1,319 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and retorque the rear axle bearing oil seal retainer nuts.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #02V216000 · 2002 · 189,706 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle May "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Owner notification began December 20, 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 1 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (14): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (4), overheating (2).
- Seat belts (11): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Electrical (8): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), electrical failure (2).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (7): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 1995 Kia Sportage has 56 owner complaints, ranking #25 of 31 Sportage model years for complaints (well below the 152 average). Complaints peaked in 1997 (11 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 111,500 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (57 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 | 20 | 18 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1995 Kia Sportage.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
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FAQ
Does the 1995 Kia Sportage have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 1995 Kia Sportage. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1995 Kia Sportage problems?
Owners have filed 56 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (14), seat belts (11), electrical (8).
What gas mileage does the 1995 Kia Sportage get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.0 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1995 Kia Sportage repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.