One problem related to axle hubs has been reported for the 1996 Kia Motor Sportage. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving on icy road experienced wheel hub failure, when in 4-wheel drive wheel hub unlocked, causing 4- wheel drive to disengage, resulting in vehicle spinning out 360 degrees into circle, loss control due to one of the tires disengaging from 4 wheel driveline, occurred 5 times, dealers replaced several times, has now replaced with manual wheel hubs.