THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED/COMING UP AND HAS BENT/RUINED THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. IT HAPPENED ALL ON IT'S OWN, WE DID NOTHING TO PROVOKE THIS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. I AM CONCERNED IF IT HAS CAUSED AIRBAG DAMAGE. IT IS A HAZARD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS. ALSO THE TAILPIP…
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THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED/COMING UP AND HAS BENT/RUINED THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. IT HAPPENED ALL ON IT'S OWN, WE DID NOTHING TO PROVOKE THIS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. I AM CONCERNED IF IT HAS CAUSED AIRBAG DAMAGE. IT IS A HAZARD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS. ALSO THE TAILPIPE KEEPS GETTING HOLES IN IT AND WE HAVE TO KEEP GETTING WELDING DONE ON IT. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10203109
59,000 miles · Sep 13, 2007
Air BagsInterior LightingStructure
DASHBOARD WARPED AND COMING UP AND TOUCHING WINDSHIELD. IT IS BREAKING OR BLOCKING THE VENT/DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THEREFORE THE WINDOWS BARELY DEFROST AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. ALSO "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10202861
Mileage unknown · Aug 18, 2005
StructureVisibility
DT: CONSUMER OWNS 1997 KIA SEPHIA. SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. THE VENTS FOR THE DEFROSTER FELL OFF, AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BROWN, WHICH BEGAN AS A SMALL SPOT AND GREW TO COVER THE WHOLE DASHBOARD. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD FALLING APART MIGHT SOMEHOW AFFECT THE AIRBAGS. SHE SAYS THAT THERE IS A BURNING SM…
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DT: CONSUMER OWNS 1997 KIA SEPHIA. SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. THE VENTS FOR THE DEFROSTER FELL OFF, AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BROWN, WHICH BEGAN AS A SMALL SPOT AND GREW TO COVER THE WHOLE DASHBOARD. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD FALLING APART MIGHT SOMEHOW AFFECT THE AIRBAGS. SHE SAYS THAT THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM DASH, SMELL HAS BEEN THERE SINCE SHE PURCHASED VEHICLE. SHE DID PURCHASE VEHICLE NEW.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10133360
22,590 miles · Aug 30, 2004
Air BagsStructureCrash
THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP FROM THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A HOLE THAT BURNED INTO THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING PREMATURELY. *AK *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10082004
Mileage unknown · Jun 22, 2004
Seat BeltsStructure
PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS AND DASHBOARD. *MR *SC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10079704
Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2003
Structure
THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING UP, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10040743
Mileage unknown · Sep 6, 2003
Structure
THE DASHBOARD IS PULLING APART AND THIS IS UNSAFE AND I WORRY ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BLASTING OFF AND OTHER DAMAGE. I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS PREVELANT TO THIS CAR ALSO THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BREAKS THEY SQUEAK HORRIBLY, BUT THE BREAK PEOPLE SAY THEY DON'T NEED TO BE REPLACED, UNSURE OF THE CAUSE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10037350
Mileage unknown · Aug 25, 2003
Structure
THE DASHBOARD CAME LOOSE AND LIFTED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.*MR. THE MOLDING STRIP AROUND THE REAR WINDOW WAS LOOSE.*TS *JB
NHTSA ODI #10037744
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2003
Structure
THE DASHBOARD AREA, IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SEAT DEVELOPED "BURN" SPOTS AND SINCE THEN POPPED OUT, NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND BLURRED VISION WHEN DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SUN CONTACTED THE DASH AND HAD GIVEN OFF SOME TYPE OF C…
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THE DASHBOARD AREA, IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SEAT DEVELOPED "BURN" SPOTS AND SINCE THEN POPPED OUT, NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND BLURRED VISION WHEN DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SUN CONTACTED THE DASH AND HAD GIVEN OFF SOME TYPE OF CHEMICAL. *AK THE BURN SPOT WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER. EVERY THREE TO FOUR DAYS IT CREATED A FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD(THE SIZE OF THE BURN AREA) AND ALSO HAD GIVEN OFF AN ODOR. THE ODOR MADE THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND SICK AND HER SISTER'S EYES BURN. *SCC *JB
NHTSA ODI #10025007
Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2003
Structure
THE DASH BOARD STARTED TO LIFT/ EXPAND, WHICH MAY CAUSE THE AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *JB
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.
1997 Kia Sephia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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