1996 Kia Sportage Service and Repair Manual

For 1996 the Kia Sportage was built one way mechanically: a single 2.0L DOHC four, offered in two trims. This factory service and repair manual is written to the figures Kia published for the 1996 model year, not to those of a later Sportage.

Engines covered

• 2.0L inline-four (122 cu in) — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline

Body styles covered

• 4-door sport utility

Trims covered

• Base
• EX

Known issues on the 1996 Sportage. Three recalls are on federal record for this model year. The first covers the rear hatch lock: a microswitch on the lock cylinder can malfunction and cause the power door locks to unlock inadvertently, so security from unwanted intrusion into the vehicle is lost. The second covers the front seat belt buckle assembly, which can false-latch and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash, so that the seat occupant may not be properly restrained. The third covers the accelerator pedal: the pedal assembly can bind or stick during operation, a condition that can hold the throttle partially open. Owners have filed 98 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 7 technical service bulletins.

From a sticking accelerator pedal to a seat belt buckle inspection, a power door lock fault or a routine service interval, it keeps you on the procedure and the specification Kia wrote for your 1996 Sportage.