1999 Kia Sephia

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
1999 Kia Sephia
BUILT 2026-10-10

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.

Complaints
428
Recalls
5

Campaigns on file for 1999

Investigations
12

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

46% of complaints

Complaints per year

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 428 2000: 266 complaints 2001: 107 complaints 2001 2002: 6 complaints 2003: 2 complaints 2003
1986: 2 complaints 1986 1994: 16 complaints 1994 1995: 64 complaints 1995 1996: 118 complaints 1996 1997: 205 complaints 1997 1998: 491 complaints 1998 1999: 428 complaints 1999 428 2000: 266 complaints 2000 2001: 107 complaints 2001 2002: 6 complaints 2002 2003: 2 complaints 2003
1986: 2 complaints 1986 1994: 16 complaints 1994 1995: 64 complaints 1995 1996: 118 complaints 1996 1997: 205 complaints 1997 1998: 491 complaints 1998 1999: 428 complaints 1999 428 2000: 266 complaints 2000 2001: 107 complaints 2001 2002: 6 complaints 2002 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

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

46% · 195 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 90 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Power train

17% · 73 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIRE

Electrical system

17% · 71 reports

Most commonly citing 12v/24v/48v battery and front underhood.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Fuel system, gasoline

10% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and fuel pump.

FIRE

Safety timeline

5 recalls · 12 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    1999Complaint volume 428 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    1999-06-24Preliminary evaluationClosed 1999-12-16 Refueling spit- back
  3. I
    1999-06-30SQClosed 2000-01-12 Intermittent stalling
  4. R
    1999-11-19Visibility99V271000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper link and also properly tighten the wiper arm retaining nuts.

  5. I
    1999-12-16Engineering analysisClosed 2000-06-29 Refueling spit back
  6. R
    1999-12-23Fuel system, gasoline99V317000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing connectors and reposition those connectors to an area where the placement is designed to prevent contact with moisture.

  7. R
    1999-12-23Fuel system, gasoline99V318000 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…

    Remedy: This corrective action is being performed in conjunction with recall No. 99V317.

  8. I
    2000-01-13Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-06-29 Turn signal, traffic safety hazard
  9. I
    2000-06-29Engineering analysisClosed 2002-07-29 Turn sighal
  10. I
    2000-07-12Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-11-07 Transmission oil cooler line
  11. R
    2000-11-13Engine and engine cooling00V175000 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…

    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…

  12. I
    2002-03-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-06 Battery cable chafing
  13. I
    2002-08-06Engineering analysisClosed 2003-10-07 Non-crash engine compartment fires
  14. I
    2003-08-15Recall queryClosed 2004-02-03 Refueling spit back
  15. I
    2003-10-14Recall queryClosed 2004-02-27 Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
  16. I
    2004-02-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-07-29 Refueling spit back
  17. I
    2004-02-27Engineering analysisClosed 2004-07-26 Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
  18. R
    2004-08-16Seat belts04V305000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began August 16, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

Buy-smart checklist

1999 Kia Sephia — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 195 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 90 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 73 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 99V271000 · Visibility
  • Recall 99V317000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 99V318000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 00V175000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 04V305000 · Seat belts

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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, accounting for 46% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 1999 Kia Sephia have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.