MYRModel Year Report

Kia Sephia — years to avoid

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA.

2 model years to avoid, 1 to watch and 3 best bets. Tap a year to see its problem areas, recalls and buy-smart checklist.

Avoid2 years

Caution1 year

Best bets3 years

Complaint history

1986: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1989 1992 1994: 16 complaints, Not enough data 1995: 64 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 118 complaints, Recommended 1997: 205 complaints, Recommended 1998: 491 complaints, Avoid 1998 1999: 428 complaints, Avoid 2000: 266 complaints, Caution 2001: 107 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2003: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1998 · 491
1986: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994: 16 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 64 complaints, Recommended 1996: 118 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 205 complaints, Recommended 1998: 491 complaints, Avoid 1998 1999: 428 complaints, Avoid 2000: 266 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 107 complaints, Recommended 2002: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1998 · 491
1986: 2 complaints, Not enough data 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994: 16 complaints, Not enough data 1994 1995: 64 complaints, Recommended 1995 1996: 118 complaints, Recommended 1996 1997: 205 complaints, Recommended 1997 1998: 491 complaints, Avoid 1998 1999: 428 complaints, Avoid 1999 2000: 266 complaints, Caution 2000 2001: 107 complaints, Recommended 2001 2002: 6 complaints, Not enough data 2002 2003: 2 complaints, Not enough data 2003 1998 · 491
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Recommended
  • Not enough data

Every year, ranked

Newest first. Find your year, then open it for the full report.

YearRankingComplaintsCompared with a typical year
2003 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2002 ○ Not enough data 6 Only 6 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
2001 ▲ Recommended 107 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
2000 ◆ Caution 266 This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.
1999 ■ Avoid 428 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1998 ■ Avoid 491 This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
1997 ● Recommended 205 This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.
1996 ▲ Recommended 118 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1995 ▲ Recommended 64 This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
1994 ○ Not enough data 16 Only 16 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
1987–1993 No NHTSA records on file — this model year may not have been sold, or no complaints, recalls or investigations were ever filed against it.
1986 ○ Not enough data 2 Only 2 complaints on file — too few for a fair verdict.
How the rankings work

Each model year’s distinct NHTSA complaint count is compared with the median of the same model’s other eligible years.

  • ▲ Recommended

    At least 30% fewer complaints than the model’s typical year.

  • ● Recommended

    Within 30% of the model’s typical year.

  • ◆ Caution

    30% to 100% more complaints than the typical year.

  • ■ Avoid

    More than double the complaints of the typical year.

  • ○ Not enough data

    Fewer than 30 complaints on file, or too few other years to compare with — too few for a fair verdict.

Recalls

8

recalls on file across every Kia Sephia model year.

Open a year above to see that year’s own recalls, investigations, and remedies.

Other Kia models