1999 Kia Sephia: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 428 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints); the 1997 and 2001 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Jun 2004
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 428 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While driving on the interstate at 75 mph the top layer of the hood (skin) separated from the hood and flew upward into the windshield and detached itself from the vehicle causing the drivers vision of roadway to be blocked. Once it detached itself causing high risk of safety for other drivers behind the kia sephia.”Owner report · Structure · Feb 2020
“Filled tank & had overflowing spillage down side of car (indicated very full tank) finished cleaning up excess fuel & turn car on but the fuel gauge would only read 2/3 full, then needle rose to 3/4- I just got the car on monday 11/7/16 & this has happened twice now, once when leaving la after buying/transferring title & again today. Decided to google the 'symptom' & I'm shocked that a 17-year-old car from 1999 had recall records but was never fixed!!! Previous owner(s) was older couple that had bought it from a dealership & owned it since 2004. The 17-year-old '99 sephia has only 75k miles on odometer as of november 2016 however was never repaired under recall order.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2016
“Seat belt patch clicks but will come loose with tension. This is the second recall notice that hasn't been repaired or reported by kia after 17 years.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Nov 2016
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 1990 kia sephia. While driving 5 mph when making a right turn, the steering wheel failed to move. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not aware of the failure. The VIN and failure mileage were unavailable.”Owner report · Steering · Nov 2015
“Tl* the contact owns a 1999 kia sephia. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred seven times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2015
“When it gets cold, about 20 degrees, the front doors will freeze open. For instance, in the morning I will have to pull on the door hard to get it to open because it's frozen and then the door will stay open (the latch will freeze) until it gets above 35 degrees. Even with the heat going for over an hour it will not unfreeze. I have to hold the door closed as I drive. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Dec 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 kia sephia ls. While driving 35 mph, the contact's vehicle caught fire after it was struck by another vehicle. The steering wheel flew off and the rearview mirror struck him in the head. The contact sustained a concussion, a fractured sternum and ribs, and a broken left elbow in two places. The vehicle was destroyed and police and fire reports were filed. The contact has pictures. NHTSA campaign id numbers 00v175000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control), 99v317000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump), and 99v318000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) were referenced. The failure mileage was unknown.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jun 2008
“Have replaced pads and turned rotors multiple times since may 07. In may 08 my ABS system failed causing a wreck! Had pads replaced in january 08. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Apr 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 kia sephia. The contact examined the vehicle and noticed that the dashboard was coming apart from the inside of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the entire dashboard needed to be replaced. Prior to the failure, the contact noticed that the air guards were beginning to crack. The current mileage was 63,030 and failure mileage was 59,000.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Oct 2007
“Tl*the contact owns a 1999 kia sephia. Shortly after the vehicle was purchased, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. One month later, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to sputter and eventually shut off. Prior to shutting off, the vehicle lost power steering ability and the contact struck a curb. The cv axle joint was damaged. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 147,000 and failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2007
When filing, owners marked a crash in 50 of these complaints and injuries in 37 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BALL SOCKET ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN THE LINK DISENGAGING FROM THE WIPER MOTOR DRIVE UNDER LOAD, SUCH AS PUSHING AGAINST ICE, SNOW OR OTHER RESISTANCE. ALSO THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUT COULD BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED ALLOWING THE WIPER ARM TO SLIP AND/OR STOP FUNCTIONING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
Remedy: THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MANUFACTURING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE ORVR SPRING FORCE AND FLOAT WIRE LENGTH REDUCING THE VALVE ANGLE. CERTAIN VALVES CAUSED FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORVR VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2000. 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 1999 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 1999 Kia Sephia reliable?
NHTSA has 428 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 1999 Kia Sephia. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 1999 Kia Sephia problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 61,000 miles or less.
Does the 1999 Kia Sephia have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning visibility:windshield wiper/washer:linkages. 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.