KIA Sportage Seat Belts Problems
Owners have filed 105 complaints with NHTSA about seat belts problems on the KIA Sportage across 21 model years. The 1999 model year has the most (17). The words owners use most often: “seat belt” (60% of reports).
- 105seat belts complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 21mention a crash
- 19mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- 14%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Seat belt: mentioned in 63 of 105 complaints (60%)
At what mileage do seat belts problems happen?
Based on 43 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 105 complaints, 21 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 19 an injury.
KIA Sportage seat belts complaints by model year
| Model year | Seat Belts complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2023 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2017 Sportage | 3 | 1% | 56,994 |
| 2016 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 19,500 |
| 2013 Sportage | 1 | 0% | 71,000 |
| 2012 Sportage | 2 | 1% | 110,708 |
| 2010 Sportage | 3 | 15% | 48,500 |
| 2009 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 57,047 |
| 2008 Sportage | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2007 Sportage | 5 | 6% | 165,000 |
| 2006 Sportage | 4 | 4% | 78,641 |
| 2005 Sportage | 3 | 4% | 107,900 |
| 2002 Sportage | 9 | 4% | 92,000 |
| 2001 Sportage | 9 | 4% | 20,000 |
| 2000 Sportage | 7 | 2% | 56,500 |
| 1999 Sportage | 17 | 6% | 69,000 |
| 1998 Sportage | 8 | 3% | 88,088 |
| 1997 Sportage | 6 | 3% | 89,500 |
| 1996 Sportage | 8 | 14% | 79,000 |
| 1995 Sportage | 11 | 20% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Model years: 1999, 2000
Problem: On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the front safety belt buckles may emit a "click" sound during the buckling process that is similar to the sound emitted when a buckle is being latched, when it is not.
Risk: The latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.
Fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began august 16, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Seat belts:front:buckle assembly
Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I own a 2017 Kia Sportage EX with the factory Snow White Pearl paint finish. The vehicle has been well maintained and has not been involved in an accident or collision. The factory paint on the trunk is peeling and delaminating from the vehicle. The white paint is separating completely from the…
The SRS/airbag warning light illuminates and flashes, accompanied by a seat belt warning chime while the driver seat belt is fastened. I scanned the SRS module and retrieved DTC B1511-00 (Driver Seat Belt Buckle Switch Open Or Short To Battery) and B1515-00 (Driver Seat Belt Buckle Switch Defect)…
the continued to over heat smoke and has burning smell and seat belt stop tracting and retracting
The driver seatbelt buckle does not stay buckled in. It is not attaching correctly. I have to push in the red button and then put the buckle in. Sometimes this will secure, other times I have to repeat the steps or it will come out while I am driving. I am concerned that if there was an accident…
I have a airbag warning light they said it was a sensor with the driver side seat belt. Is this not a safety issue? Vehicle is equiped with the "theta ii" engine which is under a class action law suit against engine fires i had the oil changed at 70k miles at hollywood kia i checked the car at 73k…
Frequently asked questions
Do all KIA Sportages have seat belts problems?
No. NHTSA has 105 owner complaints about seat belts for the KIA Sportage. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the KIA Sportage seat belts?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list seat belts. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about seat belts problems on the KIA Sportage?
The most frequent phrase is “seat belt”, in 63 of 105 complaints.
Other KIA Sportage problems
- Engine problems (1,506)
- Electrical System problems (630)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (480)
- Power Train problems (457)
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic problems (429)
- Air Bags problems (293)
- Structure problems (276)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (266)
See all KIA Sportage problems.