1999 Kia SEPHIA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
364 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
56,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 1999 model year. Data snapshot: . 41 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc is the most frequently named component, appearing in 51 of 364 complaints (14.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 120 | 33.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 50 | 13.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 42 | 11.5% |
| Engine operation | 29 | 8.0% |
| Steering behavior | 27 | 7.4% |
| Fuel system concerns | 25 | 6.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc | 51 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 45 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 41 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 31 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 27 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components | 26 |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 20 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly | 15 |
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 51; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 45; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 41; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 31; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor: 27; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 26; Air Bags:Frontal: 20; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Tank Assembly: 15
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 10 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 7 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 13 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 5 |
| 150,000 and above | 2 |
Under 25,000: 10; 25,000 to 49,999: 7; 50,000 to 74,999: 13; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 5; 150,000 and above: 2
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (13). 323 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 |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 156 |
| 2001 | 82 |
| 2002 | 54 |
| 2003 | 30 |
| 2004 | 12 |
| 2005 | 9 |
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 4 |
| 2009 | 2 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2020 | 1 |
2000: 156; 2001: 82; 2002: 54; 2003: 30; 2004: 12; 2005: 9; 2006: 8; 2007: 1; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2015: 2; 2016: 3; 2020: 1
Pattern summary
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 120 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 50 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 42 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 10000385 · 2002-12-26 (December 26, 2002)
THIS IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING EQUIPMENT ON THE 1999 KIA SEPHIA LS, MANUFACTURED BY KIA IN KOREA ON 08/25/98, AND TARGETS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT SAFETY ITEM, SPECIFICALLY THE DRIVER'S SEAT BELT WHICH HAS A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED LATCH, SINCE WHEN THE TAB IS INSERTED SECURELY SEATED INTO THE LATCH, IT PULLS OUT WHEN PULLED, OR WHEN ONE LEANS FORWARD SLIGHTLY STRESSING THE SEAT BELT. IT IS VERY , VERY DANGEROUS, AND I INFORMED THE CLOSEST DEALER TO MY LOCATION, BAY RIDGE KIA WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR CORRECTION OF RECALL ITEMS, BUT THE BE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000385 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10000860 · 2003-01-09 (January 9, 2003)
DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON 199 KIA SEPHIA, HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. CAUSES WEAR ON TIRES AND PRESENTS AN UNSAFE CONDITION.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10000860 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001810 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)
CONSUMER STATES DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE POPPED PREVENTING OCCUPANT FROM EXISTING . DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001810 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10001956 · 2003-01-14 (January 14, 2003)
CONSUMER STATED THE RESONATOR SEPARATED AT THE SEAM AND COULD CAUSE VEHICLE FUMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND WAS NOT DAMAGED WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. SCC *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10002049 · 2003-01-06 (January 6, 2003)
VEHICLES' MANUAL DOORS ARE INOPERATIVE. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR HESITATED TO OPEN. AFTER CONSUMER ENTERED THE VEHICLE ALL FOUR DOORS UNLOCKED BUT THEY WILL NOT OPEN, CONSUMER WAS TRAPPED IN THEIR VEHICLE. A PASSER BI HAD TO PRY OPEN THE DOOR FROM THE OUTSIDE. MANUFACTURER INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY MOTHER NATURE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10003653 · 2003-01-13 (January 13, 2003)
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. CONSUMER STATED NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO PROBLEMS PRIOR WITH AIRBAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10003653 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10006736 · 2003-02-07 (February 7, 2003)
WHILE DRIVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION KEEPS SKIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PH
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10008888 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)
AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10008888 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
5 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
00V175000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control
Reported: 2000-07-17 (July 17, 2000)
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 ↗04V305000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly
Reported: 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)
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 ↗99V271000 · Visibility:Windshield Wiper/Washer:Linkages
Reported: 1999-10-06 (October 6, 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)
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)
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 ↗