1996 Chevrolet Blazer vs 1996 Kia Sportage
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 1996 Chevrolet Blazer | 1996 Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 1,153 | 57 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 49 | 8 |
| Investigations | 7 | 2 |
| Crash reports | 158 | 12 |
| Fire reports | 32 | 3 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 16–18 | 18–19 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 84,000 mi | — |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Chevrolet Blazer | Kia Sportage |
|---|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 420 | 14 |
| Visibility | 182 | 2 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 149 | 10 |
| Suspension | 149 | 3 |
| Power Train | 96 | 11 |
| Electrical System | 62 | 7 |
| Air Bags | 56 | 9 |
| Seat Belts | 30 | 8 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Brake problems | 71 | 0 |
| Rust / corrosion | 46 | 0 |
| Stalling | 21 | 0 |
| Overheating | 18 | 0 |
| Vibration / shaking | 17 | 7 |
| Steering problems | 9 | 0 |
| Clunking / rattling | 9 | 0 |
| Shifting problems | 8 | 0 |
1996 Chevrolet Blazer
1996 Kia Sportage
Compare all Chevrolet Blazer vs Kia Sportage years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.