Model year record

1997 Kia Sephia

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

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.

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.