Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 8 of 118 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 38 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports4 fire reports8 injury reports
What owners actually said
118 reports
Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 1998
Suspension
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH CV JOINT ASSEMBLY DAMAGED. CAR HAS RECURRENT HISTORY OF PROBLEM. I FEEL MY LIFE IS IN DANGER AND LEMON LAW DOES NOT PROTECT ME. OTHER LIVES COULD BE IN DANGER AS WELL. DEALER CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HAVE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE AND I PURCHASED IN FROM THIS DEALER USED ONLY 2 MONTHS AGO W…
Read full complaint
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH CV JOINT ASSEMBLY DAMAGED. CAR HAS RECURRENT HISTORY OF PROBLEM. I FEEL MY LIFE IS IN DANGER AND LEMON LAW DOES NOT PROTECT ME. OTHER LIVES COULD BE IN DANGER AS WELL. DEALER CANNOT FIX THE PROBLEM. HAVE COMPLETE HISTORY OF THIS VEHICLE AND I PURCHASED IN FROM THIS DEALER USED ONLY 2 MONTHS AGO WITH A DEFECT THAT COULD TAKE MY LIFE AND SOMEONE ELSE'S AS WELL. PLEASE HELP.
NHTSA ODI #701039
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 1998
Unknown Or Other
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE WHEN THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES. EACH TIME TOLD PROBLEM FIXED, BUT IT REAPPEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828950
Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 1998
Unknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CONSTANTLY STAYS ON. DEALER WAS CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #828143
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 1998
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE WILL LOSE POWER . THE DEALER HAS REPAIRED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *AK
NHTSA ODI #826893
Mileage unknown · Jun 24, 1998
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, SEEMS TO BE AIR IN BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM. *AK
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1
PE02051 · Safety Belt Buckle Malfunction
Opened Jun 17, 2002 · Closed Sep 20, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 25, 2002, KIA ADVISED NHTSA THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY KIA HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AT THIS TIME.THE SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.
1996 Kia Sephia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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