Model year record

1999 Kia Sephia

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 749 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V305000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
251,594
Reported to NHTSA
2004-06-24
Owners notified
2004-08-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Recall campaignNHTSA 00V175000

Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control

Component
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
100,137
Reported to NHTSA
2000-07-17
Owners notified
2000-11-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V318000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
102,944
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-09
Owners notified
1999-12-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V317000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
102,944
Reported to NHTSA
1999-11-09
Owners notified
1999-12-23

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.

Recall campaignNHTSA 99V271000

Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages

Component
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
90,054
Reported to NHTSA
1999-10-06
Owners notified
1999-11-19

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.

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: gasoline6765,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc63
Power train: automatic transmission5130,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip3870,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components37
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3416,399 mi
Air bags: frontal2569,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly24
Electrical system1915,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine1930,000 mi
Unknown or other1659,000 mi
Air bags1461,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery1415,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump14594 mi
Electrical system: wiring1215,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood10
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner9
Power train: manual transmission9
Structure: body: door924,500 mi
Suspension921,200 mi
Electrical system: ignition8
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch865,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic732,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder721,200 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar7
Structure761,500 mi
Suspension: front7
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer7
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system6
Exterior lighting: headlights67 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly642,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads6594 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum6
Steering67 mi
Vehicle speed control6
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system5
Fuel system, gasoline5
Electrical system: ignition: switch4
Electrical system: starter assembly4
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash4
Power train4
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines432,000 mi
Seat belts475,000 mi
Seats415,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4
Tires: tread/belt4
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system415,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit3
Fuel system, other3
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical: linkage and cable330,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)3594 mi
Steering: rack and pinion349,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2
Electrical system: ignition: module2
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan270,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control2
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)2594 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe2
Equipment2
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights2
Exterior lighting: turn signal2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery2
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
Fuel/propulsion system275,000 mi
Interior lighting2
Latches/locks/linkages224,500 mi
Parking brake2
Parking brake: conventional2
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift254,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly221,200 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor2
Seats: front assembly: recliner2
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor2
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: hose, piping, and connections2
Steering: hydraulic power assist: pump2
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments224,500 mi
Suspension: rear2
Tires2
Visibility: windshield215,000 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages2
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
Engine1162,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys178,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1
Exterior lighting1
Exterior lighting: brake lights115,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch1
Exterior lighting: tail lights1
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system1
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch1
Power train: clutch assembly1102,566 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage1
Seats: front assembly: power adjust1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: wheel cylinders1
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)1
Steering: hydraulic power assist: power steering fluid1
Structure: body1166,500 mi
Structure: frame and members1
Suspension: rear: shock absorber115,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1
Visibility178,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1
Visibility: rear window wiper/washer: linkages1594 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: motor1

The 1998 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2000 model has about 1.5 times 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.