1997 Kia SEPHIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
108 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
69,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1997 model year. Data snapshot: . 15 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline is the most frequently named component, appearing in 16 of 108 complaints (14.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 27 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 12 | 11.1% |
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 8.3% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 9 | 8.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 3.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 2.8% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 16 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 12 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 12 |
| Unknown Or Other | 12 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 10 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 10 |
| Structure | 10 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 5 |
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 16; Air Bags:Frontal: 12; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 12; Unknown Or Other: 12; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 10; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 10; Structure: 10; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 5
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 93 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 | 1 |
| 2000 | 39 |
| 2001 | 25 |
| 2002 | 11 |
| 2003 | 16 |
| 2004 | 4 |
| 2005 | 6 |
| 2006 | 2 |
| 2007 | 4 |
1996: 1; 2000: 39; 2001: 25; 2002: 11; 2003: 16; 2004: 4; 2005: 6; 2006: 2; 2007: 4
Pattern summary
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 27 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 12 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 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 10020658 · 2003-05-28 (May 28, 2003)
TOOK CAR INTO DEALER BECAUSE BRAKES WERE PULSING. SERVICE CONSULTANT SHOWED ME A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL ROTORS AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THEM WITH A NEWER DESIGN THAT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO HEAT WARPING. THE EXTRA COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT ROTORS $110 ABOVE THE COST OF REPLACING THE PADS AND CALIPHERS, WHICH INCREASED THE TOTAL COST OF THE BRAKE JOB TO $307.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10020658 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10070151 · 2004-01-15 (January 15, 2004)
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES FELT BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER HAVING IT FOR 2 WEEKS OTHER THING STARTED TO GO WRONG. I HAD TO BUY A CAP AND ROTOR AND GET SPARK PLUG AND WIRES. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT ME IN SOMETHING BETTER. THEY WANT ME TO PAY ON A JUNK CAR THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FIXING DAY AFTER DAY.
Owner-reported narrative. 63,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10070151 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10011893 · 2003-03-17 (March 17, 2003)
THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED, WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 87,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10011893 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10018044 · 2003-07-11 (July 11, 2003)
WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC WHICH MADE IT A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NLM PH *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10018044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 534727 · 1996-04-23 (April 23, 1996)
SYNCHRONIZER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS/VAPOR HOSE/AIR BAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 534727 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003651 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
THE VEHICLES DASHBOARD IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ITS MOUNTED ON. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDERNEATH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. 89,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003651 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10202861 · 2007-09-13 (September 13, 2007)
DASHBOARD WARPED AND COMING UP AND TOUCHING WINDSHIELD. IT IS BREAKING OR BLOCKING THE VENT/DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THEREFORE THE WINDOWS BARELY DEFROST AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. ALSO "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 59,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10202861 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556106 · 2000-10-13 (October 13, 2000)
POWER STEERING PUMPS REPLACED, STEERING GEAR ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *SLC
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556106 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 759896 · 2002-03-27 (March 27, 2002)
WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON 3/25/02. A WOMAN HIT ME IN THE REAR END OF MY CAR AND MY SEAT RELEASED AND THE BACK OF THE SEAT WENT COMPLETELY BACK. I HAD TO STURGGLE TO SIT UP AFTER THE IMPACT AND REALIZED SHE HAD PUSHED ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. A SCHOOL BUS WAS COMING HEAD ON INTO ME. I HAD TO PULL MYSELF FORWARD WITHOUT THE BACK OF MY SEAT FOR SUPPORT AND STEER BEST I COULD OUT OF THE PATH OF THE BUS. MY SEAT SHOULD NEVER HAVE RELEASED LIKE IT DID. MY AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. AND LUCKILY I WAS COHERANT ENOUGH TO MISS GETTING HIT HEAD …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 759896 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 752704 · 2001-09-28 (September 28, 2001)
THE CAR WAS ACTING UP, WE THOUGHT IT WAS OVERHEATING,BECAUSE WHEN THE CAR COOLED OFF IT WOULD START. ON 7/04/2001 WE WERE GOING DOWN THE ROAD AT 55 MPH WHEN IT SHUT OFF. IT WOULD NOT START AGAIN. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC .HE SAID THE FUEL PUMP WAS BAD. REPLACED IT. TOOK A TRIP TO MASS. CAR DIED AGAIN. TOLD FUEL RELAY WAS BAD,REPLACED,08/10/2001. COMING HOME FIRST TIME CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON.TOOK IT TO DEALER.EGR VALVE REPLACED ABOUT 08/21/2001. 09/25/2001 CAR DIES TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC,CHECKS,FUEL PUMP BAD AGAIN. VERY DISTURBING, I DON'T WAN…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 752704 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 870947 · 2000-09-19 (September 19, 2000)
FUEL TANK CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 870947 at NHTSA ↗