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1998 Kia SephiaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 491 owner complaints about the 1998 Kia Sephia, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 6 safety recalls.

34
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.9× the Sephia median · #2 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls6Free fix at dealersOwner complaints49162 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage50kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 19, 2019. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1998 Kia Sephia has problems

491 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Service brakes, hydraulic25012
Engine and engine cooling1089
Electrical system10412
Power train685
Fuel system, gasoline517
Visibility431
Air bags3121
Exterior lighting271
Structure261
15 other systems1259

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

6 recalls

1998 Kia Sephia recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Front: buckle assembly

Recall 02V-216 · Aug 16, 2002 · 189,706 vehicles

Risk. IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Recall 02V-207 · Jul 29, 2002 · 25,000 vehicles

Risk. THE LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS OR REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Exhaust system: emission control

Recall 00V-175 · Jul 17, 2000 · 100,137 vehicles

Risk. THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Show 2 more recalls
–no report yet

Windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Recall 99V-271 · Oct 6, 1999 · 90,054 vehicles

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Kia.

Best & worst years

1998 vs. every other Sephia year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Sephia median. How we score

'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
12 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 1998 Kia Sephia, and the recalls they led to.

  1. TURN SIGHALEA00018 · closed Jul 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-207
  2. NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA02016 · closed Oct 7, 2003
    No recall
  3. REFUELING SPIT BACKEA04004 · closed Jul 29, 2004
    No recall
  4. REFUELING SPIT BACKEA99034 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-175
  5. TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARDPE00004 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    No recall
  6. TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINEPE00028 · closed Nov 7, 2000
    No recall
  7. BATTERY CABLE CHAFINGPE02028 · closed Aug 6, 2002
    No recall
  8. SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTIONPE02051 · closed Sep 20, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-216
  9. WINDSHIELD WIPERPE99033 · closed Oct 21, 1999
    Led to recall 99V-271
  10. REFUELING SPIT- BACKPE99042 · closed Dec 16, 1999
    No recall
  11. REFUELING SPIT BACKRQ03006 · closed Feb 3, 2004
    No recall
  12. INTERMITTENT STALLINGSQ99020 · closed Jan 12, 2000
    Led to recall 99V-317
In owners' words

What Sephia owners report

Recent service brakes, hydraulic complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA REAR BRAKE PAD FELL OFF FELL OFF THE SHOE. APPARENTLY THEY ARE HELD ON BY GLUE. IT WAS REPLACED BUT I STILL HAVE PROBLEMS WHEN IT RAINS A LOT, THEY LOCK UP WHEN PARKED. I DON'T DARE USE MY EMERGENCY BRAKE BECAUSE THE BRAKES LOCK UP. *TR
Complaint 10234729 · Jul 17, 2008 · 80,000 miles
I BROUGHT A NEW KIA SEPHIA IN 1998, AND HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT! TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES BY THE MECHANIC FOR KIA MOTORS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ON 7/2007. ALSO, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP TURNING OFF WHILE…
Complaint 10196733 · Jul 18, 2007 · 80 miles
THE CONSUMER STATES THE FRONT BRAKES ARE WEARING PREMATURELY. THE PART HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES HOWEVER PROBLEM STILL EXIST. THE CAUSE HAS YET TO BE DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *NM
Complaint 10096938 · Oct 15, 2004 · 54,000 miles

Own a 1998 Sephia?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.