CarRecallWatchThe 1998 Kia Sephia has 6 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 491 complaints with NHTSA, including 33 crashes, 16 fires, 19 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Service Brakes, Hydraulic (307 reports).
1998 Kia Sephia recalls
Most common 1998 Kia Sephia problems
Problem areas named in the 491 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 307 |
| Electrical System | 134 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 128 |
| Power Train | 69 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 53 |
| Visibility | 46 |
| Exterior Lighting | 31 |
| Air Bags | 31 |
| Structure | 31 |
| Equipment | 30 |
What owners report
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V317000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR THE RECALL IN 1999. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HANSON KIA (2300 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 943-2120) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE ACTIVATED THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS, THE WIPER SCRATCHED THE WINDSHIELD AND DID NOT CLEAR THE RAIN. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 99V271000 (VISIBILITY) HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING FROM A PARKING SPACE WHEN HE HEARD AN UNUSUAL CLICK. THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO LOCK YET THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO MOVE THE WHEEL. HE PROCEEDED TO DRIVE TO HIS RESIDENCE AS THE STEERING BECAME INCREASINGLY DIFFICULT. THE CONTACT NOTICED THE RACK AND PINION MOUNTING BRACKET HAD FRACTURED FROM THE FIRE WALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,553.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE TO 50 MPH ON ITS OWN. THE DRIVER STATED THAT HE HAD TO PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL EXCESSIVELY IN ORDER TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 171,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE DRIVER ALSO STATED THAT HE NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD PERIODICALLY FAIL TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 99V317000 AND 99V318000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) AND SHOWED THE CONTACT A WIRE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT INSULATED AND HAD BEEN OVERHEATING. ONCE THE WIRE WAS REMOVED, THE FAILURE SEEM TO BE RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED ALL THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS AND RE-SAUTERED EVERYTHING. THE MANUFACTURER
1998 Kia Sephia questions
Does the 1998 Kia Sephia have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 1998 Kia Sephia: Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly; Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch; Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump; Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 1998 Kia Sephia?
Based on 491 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Service Brakes, Hydraulic (307), Electrical System (134), Engine And Engine Cooling (128).
How do I check if a recall on my 1998 Kia Sephia has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.