Model year record

1997 Kia Sephia

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 375 owner complaints on file.

Kia Sephia, 1994–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1994–2001 generation. Spanish Coches, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V216000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
189,706
Reported to NHTSA
2002-08-16
Owners notified
2002-12-20

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Safety risk

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline33—
Air bags: frontal23100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor23—
Unknown or other2363,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc21—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components19—
Power train: automatic transmission17—
Structure1122,590 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip9—
Engine and engine cooling: engine836,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly8—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery6—
Electrical system: ignition6—
Structure: body6—
Vehicle speed control6—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system6—
Air bags559,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash5110,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum5—
Tires5—
Electrical system4—
Power train: axle assembly4—
Power train: manual transmission4—
Seat belts: front: anchorage4—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor4—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads4—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments4—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module3300 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator375,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring3—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood387,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery3—
Power train: clutch assembly3—
Seat belts: rear/other3—
Visibility: windshield3—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system2—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner2—
Fuel system, gasoline2—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump2—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system2—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly2—
Interior lighting259,000 mi
Power train263,000 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2—
Seat belts: front: webbing2—
Service brakes, hydraulic263,000 mi
Steering2—
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2—
Suspension2—
Tires: tread/belt2—
Air bags: side/window1—
Electrical system: horn1—
Electrical system: ignition: module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1—
Engine and engine cooling169,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical1—
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: headlights1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage1—
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft149,900 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)1—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint1—
Power train: driveline: differential unit1—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft1—
Power train: manual transmission: shift pattern indicator1—
Seat belts1—
Seat belts: front1—
Seats: front assembly: recliner1—
Service brakes, air: supply: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: differential proportional valve1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages1—
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar1—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields159,000 mi
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control1—
Visibility1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor159,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: power window devices and controls1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 1996 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. The 1998 model has about a third as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Kia Sephia model years

All Kia Sephia recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.