Kia SEPHIA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
1,222 owner complaints analyzed
8 distinct recall campaigns
52,984 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1986 to 2003 model years. Data snapshot: . 211 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 128 of 1,222 complaints (10.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 379 | 31.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 131 | 10.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 105 | 8.6% |
| Engine operation | 98 | 8.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 62 | 5.1% |
| Steering behavior | 60 | 4.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 128 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 120 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 109 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 88 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 87 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 82 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 80 |
| Unknown Or Other | 64 |
Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 128; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 120; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 109; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 88; Air Bags:Frontal: 87; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 82; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 80; Unknown Or Other: 64
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 54 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 44 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 56 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 25 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 25 |
| 150,000 and above | 7 |
Under 25,000: 54; 25,000 to 49,999: 44; 50,000 to 74,999: 56; 75,000 to 99,999: 25; 100,000 to 149,999: 25; 150,000 and above: 7
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (56). 1,011 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 |
|---|---|
| 1995 | 14 |
| 1996 | 14 |
| 2000 | 407 |
| 2001 | 258 |
| 2002 | 176 |
| 2003 | 153 |
| 2004 | 75 |
| 2005 | 36 |
| 2006 | 24 |
| 2007 | 16 |
| 2008 | 13 |
| 2009 | 7 |
| 2010 | 6 |
| 2011 | 6 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2015 | 4 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
1995: 14; 1996: 14; 2000: 407; 2001: 258; 2002: 176; 2003: 153; 2004: 75; 2005: 36; 2006: 24; 2007: 16; 2008: 13; 2009: 7; 2010: 6; 2011: 6; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2015: 4; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2019: 1; 2020: 1; 2022: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 379 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 131 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 105 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 967679 · 1995-06-26 (June 26, 1995)
THE SQUEAKING NOISE WAS PRESENT WHEN THE VEHICLE MOVED. THE WHOLE BRAKE SYSTEM WAS BROKEN. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 967679 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 503530 · 1996-04-15 (April 15, 1996)
IF DRIVERS SHOE OVERLAPS BRAKE PEDAL, IT HITS GAS PEDAL AS WELL. *DSH
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 503530 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 958132 · 1995-01-03 (January 3, 1995)
SHIFTED INTO REVERSE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. TT
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 958132 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 556170 · 2000-10-17 (October 17, 2000)
GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND AS SHE WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, UPON EXAMINATION OF THE LEVER, IT LITERALLY SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE METAL, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE METAL USED WAS FAULTY, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 556170 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 985977 · 1996-06-21 (June 21, 1996)
ABS: EXPERIENCED 3 TIMES WITHIN 8 MONTH PERIOD, BRAKE PEDAL TRAVELING TO FLOOR WITH NO BRAKING EFFECT; ALSO, O2 SENSOR FAILED, CAUSING CAR TO STALL ON RAILROAD. AIR FLOW SENSOR CAUSED VEHICLE TO STALL ON FREEWAY RAMP FOUR WEEKS LATER O2 SENSOR HAD BEEN REPLACED, FOUR WEEKS AFTER BRAKE INSPECTION, NEW ROTORS AND PADS WERE INSTALLED AFTER THE DEALER STATED NO BRAKE MALFUNCTION OR SAFETY DEFECTS COULD BE DETECTED.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 985977 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 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 ↗
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 ↗
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 ↗
Recalls by model year
All campaigns in the snapshot affecting each model year, including recalls announced years later.
Recall campaigns
Shared campaigns appear once in each affected model year.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 1994 | 1 |
| 1995 | 1 |
| 1996 | 1 |
| 1997 | 1 |
| 1998 | 6 |
| 1999 | 5 |
| 2000 | 1 |
| 2001 | 0 |
| 2002 | 0 |
| 2003 | 0 |
1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 6; 1999: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0