MYRModel Year Report

1999 Kia Sephia

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Kia Sephia
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Kia Sephia Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 1999 highlighted. 1986: 2 complaints 1986 1994: 16 complaints 1995: 64 complaints 1995 1996: 118 complaints 1997: 205 complaints 1997 1998: 491 complaints 1999: 428 complaints 1999 2000: 266 complaints 2001: 107 complaints 2001 2002: 6 complaints 2003: 2 complaints 2003
1999: 428 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
19862
199416
199564
1996118
1997205
1998491
1999428
2000266
2001107
20026
20032

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 14%

14% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 60 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 12%

12% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 52 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
POWER TRAIN 11%

11% of complaints: power train — 48 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 9%

9% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 38 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 8%

8% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 33 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 1999 — complaint volume: 428
I 19990624 — PE (closed 19991216)

REFUELING SPIT- BACK

I 19990630 — SQ (closed 20000112)

INTERMITTENT STALLING

R 19991119 — visibility

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

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

Campaign 99V271000 — check if this car was fixed

I 19991216 — EA (closed 20000629)

REFUELING SPIT BACK

R 19991223 — fuel system, gasoline

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 FU

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

Campaign 99V317000 — check if this car was fixed

R 19991223 — fuel system, gasoline

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 VEHICL

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

Campaign 99V318000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20000113 — PE (closed 20000629)

TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD

I 20000629 — EA (closed 20020729)

TURN SIGHAL

I 20000712 — PE (closed 20001107)

TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE

R 20001113 — engine and engine cooling

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

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 REM

Campaign 00V175000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20020306 — PE (closed 20020806)

BATTERY CABLE CHAFING

I 20020806 — EA (closed 20031007)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20030815 — RQ (closed 20040203)

REFUELING SPIT BACK

I 20031014 — RQ (closed 20040227)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

I 20040203 — EA (closed 20040729)

REFUELING SPIT BACK

I 20040227 — EA (closed 20040726)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

R 20040816 — seat belts

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,

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

Campaign 04V305000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

1999 Kia Sephia — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (60 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (52 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for power train issues (48 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 99V271000 (visibility) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V317000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 99V318000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 00V175000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V305000 (seat belts) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 2001 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ◆ 2000 ● 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 1999 Kia Sephia reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 1999 Kia Sephia is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Kia Sephia?

The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 1999 Kia Sephia have?

5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.