vehicle signal
U.S. public vehicle records

Kia SEPHIA recalls by model year

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.

Compare model years

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.

1994
1
1995
1
1996
1
1997
1
1998
6
1999
5
2000
1
2001
0
2002
0
2003
0
Recall campaigns data
CategoryCount
19941
19951
19961
19971
19986
19995
20001
20010
20020
20030

1994: 1; 1995: 1; 1996: 1; 1997: 1; 1998: 6; 1999: 5; 2000: 1; 2001: 0; 2002: 0; 2003: 0

Year-by-year records

Kia SEPHIA model-year comparison
Model yearComplaintsRecallsChange in recalls
198610Not available
199471Not available
19952910
19965010
199710810
19982866+5
19993645-1
20002621-4
20011070-1
2002600
2003200

Recall history

8 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

94V134000 · Power Train

Reported: 1994-07-25 (July 25, 1994) · Model years: 1994

THE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER SENSOR CAN SEIZE, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND CRUISE CONTROL (IF THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL) TO STOP FUNCTIONING.

Consequence: THE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL WILL CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED. LOSS OF THE SPEEDOMETER WILL RESULT IN THE OPERATOR NOT KNOWING THE ACTUAL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEEDOMETER DRIVE GEAR, ELECTRONIC SENSOR, AND FLEXIBLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
02V216000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 2002-08-16 (August 16, 2002) · Model years: 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
00V175000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control

Reported: 2000-07-17 (July 17, 2000) · Model years: 1998, 1999

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.

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

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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
02V207000 · Exterior Lighting:Hazard Flashing Warning Lights:Switch

Reported: 2002-07-29 (July 29, 2002) · Model years: 1998

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 36,000 MILES OR LESS AS OF JULY 15, 2002, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEM MAY HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE HAZARD LIGHTS AND/OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNALS.

Consequence: THE LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS OR REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 2002. 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V271000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages

Reported: 1999-10-06 (October 6, 1999) · Model years: 1998, 1999

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.

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

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V317000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 1999-11-09 (November 9, 1999) · Model years: 1998, 1999

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.

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

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗
99V318000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump

Reported: 1999-11-09 (November 9, 1999) · Model years: 1998, 1999

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.

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

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗
04V305000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004) · Model years: 1999, 2000

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.

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

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

NHTSA campaign record ↗