1995 Kia SEPHIA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
29 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
86,740 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1995 model year. Data snapshot: . 2 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 29 complaints (17.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 4 | 13.8% |
| Braking behavior | 4 | 13.8% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 3.4% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Structure | 5 |
| Electrical System:Horn | 3 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly | 2 |
| Seat Belts:Front:Retractor | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
Structure: 5; Electrical System:Horn: 3; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3; Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly: 2; Seat Belts:Front:Retractor: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 2; Unknown Or Other: 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 | 0 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 0; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 0
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (1). 27 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 | 10 |
| 1996 | 5 |
| 2000 | 6 |
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 4 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2008 | 1 |
1995: 10; 1996: 5; 2000: 6; 2002: 2; 2003: 4; 2004: 1; 2008: 1
Pattern summary
Structure leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 4 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10011249 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
THE DASHBOARD CURLED AND LIFTED FROM ITS ORIGINAL POSITION AS A RESULT OF EXPOSURE TO DIRECT SUNLIGHT. *NLM *NLM
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10011249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10015190 · 2003-03-27 (March 27, 2003)
TECHNICAL DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING. MR THE CONSUMER STATED EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE VEHICLE MADE ALL KINDS OF NOISES. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10015190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10040057 · 2003-09-08 (September 8, 2003)
RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *TS REQUESTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN #(02V-216) OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES 1995-98 KIA SEPHIS AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10040057 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10048799 · 2003-11-29 (November 29, 2003)
THE DASH HAS SEVERAL DISCOLORED BROWN.. LOOKING LIKE BURNT SPOTS ON IT AND HAS COMPLETELEY COME UNGLUED NEAREAST THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEFROSTERS ARE RENDERED USELESS BY THIS. I COMPLAINED TO A KIA DEALER AND HE SAID I COULD HAVE A NEW ONE PUT ON. BUT ONLY COMPLETELY AT MY EXPENSE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10048799 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10062505 · 2004-03-18 (March 18, 2004)
DASHBOARD IS ROLLING BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SID EOF THE CAR. UNABLE TO SECURE THE DASHBOARD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10062505 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10225635 · 2008-04-24 (April 24, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 KIA SEPHIA. AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT THE HEAT SOURCE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,479. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF UPDATED 05/19/08
Owner-reported narrative. 125,479 miles reported. Look up ODI 10225635 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479830 · 1995-08-24 (August 24, 1995)
SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479830 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 479877 · 1995-08-17 (August 17, 1995)
HORN MALFUNCTIONED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 479877 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
02V216000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2002-08-16 (August 16, 2002)
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 ↗