1997 Kia Sephia: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 205 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints); the 1995 and 1996 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Aug 2002
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 205 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and the dealership was unable to determine the problem.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2006
“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”Owner report · Interior Lighting · Sep 2006
“I noticed a clunking sound in my front end of my 1997 kia sephia. This car only has 49,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and was told I needed new axle shafts on both sides. The dealer informed me he would have to order the parts overnight and that he did not want me to pick up the vehicle until it was fixed because it was not safe to drive. The axle shafts are crumbling and he has no explanation as to why. He said you don't see that in kia vehicles. Thankfully there was no accident but had I waited the consequences could have been devastating. My car is currently at the dealer for repairs, and I have asked them to hold on to the axle shafts when they are removed. *nm”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2006
Show 7 more owner reports
“I have a 1997 kia sephia rs and I have replaced the alternator belt 11 times and 4 of those have been in the last 3 months. I am unable to get any answers about why the belt keeps breaking from any repair shop, other than it must be a sizing defect by kia. This last belt was replaced 6/05 and broke off again 8/17/05. I can only seem to get about 1-3 month use from a belt. I checked with the previous owner of the car, which I knew and she indicates that she had the same problems. I now have spoken to another kia sephia rs owner same year and they got rid of theirs for that very reason.*jb”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2005
“Dt: consumer's vehicle was hit by another car on august 15, 2005, and the airbags failed to deploy. Were still unsure of the extend of the injuries to the consumer. A police report was taken. The manufacturer was unhelpful to the consumer. They told the consumer that the airbags should not have deployed under these circumstances. Although other information they sent her said that the air bags should have deployed. *ak”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2005
“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”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2005
“Dt: the contact owned a 1997 kia sephia. Contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 mph . Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy.there were three occupants in the car all wearing seat belts. The rear passenger side seat belt broke . The air bag warning light had not been on in this vehicle nor was it on after the crash. One person sustained injuries because of the seat belt. She broke two ribs. *ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2005
“Both of the rear seat belts will not reatract back to normal position, which is preventing the rear passengers from being safe if the vehicle were to be involved in an accident. Manufacturer has been contacted by consumer.*ak”Owner report · Seat Belts · Mar 2005
“Dt: 1997 kia sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed. *ak *jb *nm”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2005
“Consumer was driving was involved in a collision head on . Seat belt broke, throwing the consumer threw the driver's windshield. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. *ak consumer is in a coma. *nm”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 30 of these complaints and injuries in 28 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 1997 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Sephia by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 1997 Kia Sephia reliable?
NHTSA has 205 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 1997 Kia Sephia. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (26% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1997 Kia Sephia problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,500 miles or less.
Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning seat belts:front:buckle assembly. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.