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1999 Kia SephiaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 428 owner complaints about the 1999 Kia Sephia, most often about the service brakes, hydraulic. It is covered by 5 safety recalls.

32
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.1× the Sephia median · #1 of 8 years by complaints
Safety recalls5Free fix at dealersOwner complaints428119 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage27kService brakes, hydraulic, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through February 3, 2020. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 1999 Kia Sephia has problems

428 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, hydraulic16919
Engine and engine cooling8825
Power train716
Electrical system6316
Fuel system, gasoline431
Air bags3731
Steering235
Visibility182
Suspension171
15 other systems968

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

5 recalls

1999 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

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 1 more recall
–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

1999 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 1999 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. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTIONEA04007 · closed Jul 26, 2004
    No recall
  5. REFUELING SPIT BACKEA99034 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    Led to recall 00V-175
  6. TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARDPE00004 · closed Jun 29, 2000
    No recall
  7. TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINEPE00028 · closed Nov 7, 2000
    No recall
  8. BATTERY CABLE CHAFINGPE02028 · closed Aug 6, 2002
    No recall
  9. REFUELING SPIT- BACKPE99042 · closed Dec 16, 1999
    No recall
  10. REFUELING SPIT BACKRQ03006 · closed Feb 3, 2004
    No recall
  11. SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTIONRQ03007 · closed Feb 27, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-305
  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.

HAVE REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE MAY 07. IN MAY 08 MY ABS SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A WRECK! HAD PADS REPLACED IN JANUARY 08. *TR
Complaint 10224335 · Apr 13, 2008 · 107,776 miles
FAX ON BEHALF OF, RE AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1999 KIA SEPHIA THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE BACK BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *KB *JB
Complaint 10208320 · Nov 1, 2007
1999 SEPHIA BRAKES, TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE EXHAUST SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TS THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTERPIPE OF THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE LOUD. THE PART IS A PIECE OF FLEXIBLE HOUSING. THE PART COULD NOT BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY…
Complaint 10159458 · Jun 1, 2006

Own a 1999 Sephia?

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