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: 15 of 205 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 72 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 44 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 31 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
30 crash reports5 fire reports20 injury reports
What owners actually said
205 reports
Mileage unknown · Aug 7, 2001
Unknown Or Other
DASH BOARD IS SEPAZRATING FROM THE CAR FRAME. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IF IT SEPARATED ANYMORE IT WOULD DEPLOY PASSENGER AIRBAG. IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $1000.00 JUST FOR PARTS, AND $400.00 AND HOUR FOR LABOR. SAID THAT I COULD TRY TO LOCATE RECALLS OR FIND A REPLACEMENT TO FIX IT. SAID THAT I WOUL…
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DASH BOARD IS SEPAZRATING FROM THE CAR FRAME. WAS TOLD BY DEALERSHIP THAT IF IT SEPARATED ANYMORE IT WOULD DEPLOY PASSENGER AIRBAG. IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. SAID THAT IT WOULD COST $1000.00 JUST FOR PARTS, AND $400.00 AND HOUR FOR LABOR. SAID THAT I COULD TRY TO LOCATE RECALLS OR FIND A REPLACEMENT TO FIX IT. SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL COST. I WAS TOLD BY ANOTHER DEALERSHIP THAT KIA INCORP. SHOULD HAVE TO REPLACE IT AT NO COST SINCE IT WAS AFFECTING THE AIRBAG. IT WAS APPEARENT THAT THE DASH WAS NOT SEPERATING DUE TO SOMETHING I DID. IT WAS A DEFECTIVE ITEM. THEY ALSO SAID THAT THERE WERE SCREWS MISSING FROM PART THAT HOLD IT DOWN.*AK
NHTSA ODI #749980
Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2001
Engine And Engine CoolingFire
PERSISTANT OIL LEAK FROM AROUND OIL FILTER. MECHANICS UNABLE TO FIND ANY OTHER REASON FOR LEAK OTHER THAN MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN PLACE WHERE OIL FILTER SCREWS INTO ENGINE. MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE ATTESTED TO THIS BEING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH KIA VEHICLES. *AK
NHTSA ODI #748950
Mileage unknown · Jul 4, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR 3RD TIME IN 3 YEARS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #747835
Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2001
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE LAST TIME MY ROTORS WARPED FOR THE FIFTH TIME, MY DEALER WASN'T GOING TO REPLACED THEM UNTIL I HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH HIM AND HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. HE DID NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS THIS TIME BECAUSE KIA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THAT EXPENSE. THEY ARE WARPING AGAIN FOR THE SIXTH TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH A…
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THE LAST TIME MY ROTORS WARPED FOR THE FIFTH TIME, MY DEALER WASN'T GOING TO REPLACED THEM UNTIL I HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH HIM AND HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. HE DID NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS THIS TIME BECAUSE KIA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THAT EXPENSE. THEY ARE WARPING AGAIN FOR THE SIXTH TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH AS MANY PROBLEMS AS THIS CAR(SOME ARE NOT LISTED). I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT AT ALL.
NHTSA ODI #746838
Mileage unknown · May 30, 2001
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling
CAR STILL DOES NOT START RIGHT A WAY/ENGINE LGTS STILL ON/RGT SIG DOES NOT WRK/CARS A LEMON/FUSE BLOWS EVERTIME I TURN ON RGT SIGNAL. *AK
NHTSA ODI #746123
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2001
Unknown Or Other
ON DRIVER SIDE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING...AND BUBBLING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743970
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2001
Unknown Or Other
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON FOR THINGS NOT RELATED TO THE ENGINE AND ITS COMPONENTS. *AK
NHTSA ODI #743081
Mileage unknown · Mar 22, 2001
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash
ON MAR 10 2001 CONSUMER WAS READY TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC WITH FOOT ON BRAKE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED, AND HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. VEHICLE ACCELERATED ONCE BEFORE IN 1999, BUT THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #883789
Mileage unknown · Mar 21, 2001
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility
DASHBOARD HAS COME APART. ALSO, SEALS AROUND AIRBAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE HAS LIFTED UP, EXPOSING PARTS UNDERNEATH. HEATER VENT ON DASH HAS CRACKED, CAUSING HEATER TO BECOME INOPERATIVE.*AK
NHTSA ODI #883629
Mileage unknown · Mar 13, 2001
Air BagsCrashInjury
CONSUMER INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE SHE REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*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.
1997 Kia Sephia Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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