10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,231 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 1998 Kia Sephia:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #13

Nov 042003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,000 miles
I bought a 1998 Kia Sephia in Feb of 2000 I have had to replace 3 gear shifters and three transmissions and the car has only been driven 2/3 of the time that I have owned this car. My signal light on one side has never really worked properly and the the headlight constantly shorts out. Of course now I'm out of warranty and still experiencing these problems and many more I dont know where else to turn because all I'm ever told is that's a Kia for you. I still have a loan of this car and dont think it's right that almost every year the gear shifter and trans need to be replaced. I would great appreciate any help you can give me because I havent been able to drive the car for the last 2 months because the gear shifter wont come out of park and when it did the trans raced when reaching 2 gear. There is no way anyone should experience this much trouble whether being a used car or not. Please help me.

- Severn, MD, USA

problem #12

Sep 242000

Sephia

  • miles
Brakes, lights, seats, battery, airbags, odometer, leaks, aircondition, leftdoorhandle (tiresize: 14`)( dot number: Tire size: 14` )

- Colfax, LA, USA

problem #11

Sep 071999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Head light failure.

- Perry, UT, USA

problem #10

Jul 271999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
On two occasions the front headlight filled with water. Nlm

- Virginia B, VA, USA

problem #9

Jul 271999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Head lights failed. Nlm

- Virginia B, VA, USA

problem #8

Mar 242000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I would never buy a Kia again. This car has been nothing but trouble. The transmission prematurely went out with no warning. Had to be completly replaced. Both front headlight assemblies melted due to reasons still unknown. The brakes worn prematurely. Not to mention all of the other hassles I've had with this car. Sometimes I wish someone would just take it, I hate it so much!

- Skyland, NC, USA

problem #7

Dec 211999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
When the transmission was in reverse, it would pop out of gear into neutral. Then vehicle would stop. Also, ABS brakes were replaced twice due to excessive wear to drums. Headlights would have condensation, and dashboard was replaced due to cracks. Vehicle now on third transmission and it still slips out of reverse when backing up.

- Ft Ritchey, FL, USA

problem #6

Jan 061999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Headlight inoperative. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #5

Oct 211999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
When the high beams are on the headlights become inoperable, cause unknown.

- New Gloucester, ME, USA

problem #4

Jul 271999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
On two occasions the front headlight filled with water. Nlm

- Virginia B, VA, USA

problem #3

Jul 271999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Head lights failed. Nlm

- Virginia B, VA, USA

problem #2

Aug 091998

Sephia

  • miles
Whenever fuel is pumped into tank, it would spill back out. Vehicle cannot be completely filled. Has taken vehicle to dealer & entire fuel tank system has been replaced. The problem still exists. Also engine check light keeps coming on/turn signals would not show, and headlights would get moisture inside of lens.

- Diamond Head, MS, USA

problem #1

Sep 251998

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Both head lamp seals failed, so when it rains or the car is washed the headlights fog up severly causing poor visibility.

- Parma, OH, USA