1996 Kia SEPHIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
50 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
48,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1996 model year. Data snapshot: . 8 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 50 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 13 | 26.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 7 | 14.0% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 4.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 8 |
| Structure | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 4 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 3 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 2 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 8; Structure: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 4; Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 3; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 3; Air Bags:Frontal: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 3 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 3; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (3). 42 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 20 |
| 2001 | 6 |
| 2002 | 4 |
| 2003 | 9 |
| 2004 | 5 |
| 2005 | 1 |
1996: 5; 2000: 20; 2001: 6; 2002: 4; 2003: 9; 2004: 5; 2005: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 13 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 7 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10099333 · 2004-11-03 (November 3, 2004)
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10099333 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 507563 · 1996-08-15 (August 15, 1996)
STEERING LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY, UPON RELEASING, DRIVER LOSS CONTROL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT/INJURY, ALSO BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 507563 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10139038 · 2005-10-07 (October 7, 2005)
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2003 THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER . IT DID NOT DEFOG THE WINDOW, IT WILL WORK SOMEWHAT BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. CAN SEE THE INSIDE DASHBOARD WHERE WIRING AND FOAM WAS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE DECEMBER 2003. CONSUMER HAD TRIED TO PUSH THE DASHBOARD DOWN WITH HER HANDS, BUT THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD A DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10139038 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 552709 · 2000-06-19 (June 19, 2000)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO WIRING HARNESSES FAILURE. YH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 552709 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 856845 · 2000-02-14 (February 14, 2000)
DUE TO WIRING PROBLEMS VEHICLE HAD STALLED, A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. *AK *ML
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 856845 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 985027 · 1996-05-30 (May 30, 1996)
ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN VEHICLE STALLS OUT, REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH TO NO AVAIL. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985027 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10026908 · 2003-07-09 (July 9, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES THAT BODY MOUNTS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. RELATED RECALL 98V323000, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 150,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10026908 at NHTSA ↗