1995 KIA Sephia
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sephia › 1995
These records cover every 1995 KIA Sephia. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
1 recall names the 1995 KIA Sephia. Newest first.
On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
64 complaints12 involved a crash1 involved a fire14 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Engine and engine cooling
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…
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
- Structure
Technical defect in manufacturing. Mr the consumer stated ever since the vehicle was purchased the vehicle made all kinds of noises. *Jb
- Structure
Dashboard IS rolling back from the windshield on both driver and passenger sid eof the car. Unable to secure the dashboard.*ak
- Structure
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
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
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.
- Structure
The dashboard curled and lifted from its original position as a result of exposure to direct sunlight. *nlm *nlm
- Structure · Unknown or other
Consumer noticed that the dashboard IS falling apart, the glue, bolts and plastic cover are all coming apart. nlm *yh
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver was not wearing lap portion of safety restraint system. forces through roll over collision sequence caused mounting bracket for passive restraint latch to fail. for further information, contact officer sedam, chp mait, 559-444-2538, report cl-026-02. *Ak
- Power train › Manual transmission › Floor shift assembly
Gear shift lever came off in consumers hand as she was shifting from second to first gear, upon examination of the lever, it literally snapped in the middle of the metal, consumer believes the metal used was faulty, consumer request reimbursement. nlm
- Power train › Axle assembly · Power train › Driveline › Constant velocity joint · Unknown or other
The cv joints replaced twice by the dealer and now they need to be replaced again, front axle failed.* et
- Unknown or other
Dashboard IS starting to roll back away from windshield towards the driver. If standing in front of this vehicle one can see into the control panel. dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Visibility › Windshield
There are brown spots, in an otherwise navy blue colored dash, that appear to be burned areas. also, the part of the dash connected closest to the wind shield has become completely unglued. upon contacting the manufacturer, we were told that they would pay for the dash itself but we would have to…
There are brown spots, in an otherwise navy blue colored dash, that appear to be burned areas. also, the part of the dash connected closest to the wind shield has become completely unglued. upon contacting the manufacturer, we were told that they would pay for the dash itself but we would have to pay for the labor. since our warrantee had expired, we thought that was pretty fair until we were informed we could only have it repaired at the dealership (who charges $80/hour). our regular auto body specialist would charge us half of that amount, and that would include actually paying for the dash. the manufacturer agreed to let us take the free dash outside the dealership for repair. then when we asked for that agreement in writing, they claimed they had never agreed to allow that. we asked them to review their "quality assurance" tapes. we were then told that even if the tapes proved the conversation occured as we said, we still could not take the dash anywhere other than the dealership. we did not even buy the car from the dealership. by offering to give us a replacement dash free of charge, they were admitting that it was a defect. of all the people that we showed the dash to, not one person had ever seen anything like it in their lives. we feel that we were deceived by the manufacturer.
- Engine and engine cooling › Cooling system › Radiator assembly
Radiator has overheated and cracked, causing fluid to leak into the engine compartment, damaging the engine. consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.*ak
- Electrical system › Horn
Consumer didn't know that horn never worked when vehicle was purchased. Consumer was able to avoid an accident after realizing it didn't work. dealer replaced it once before. horn still has a problem. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Steering › Hydraulic power assist system
Vehicle lost control, and then rolled over a couple times, and air bags did not deploy. vehicle was totaled. *ak
- Interior lighting · Latches/locks/linkages › Doors › Latch · Seats
Several problems with door latch, dash, interior lighting and driver seat. *ak
- Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing a collision. dealer has replaced the brakes several times prior to the collision. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly
Driver was involved in 4 car collision where there was frontal and rear impact, dual airbags did not deploy, and seatbelts unlatched by themselves, causing serious injuries. Vehicle IS a total loss. *ak
- Power train › Clutch assembly · Power train › Manual transmission
The original clutch was replaced at 20000 miles, then the original transmission was replaced at 60000 miles. now at 72500 miles both the clutch and transmission are being replaced again, after a total failure.
- Power train › Automatic transmission · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip · Structure › Frame and members
Brakes would squeal. Had trouble stopping/ear windshield keeps popping out bent frame, and transmission has been replaced twice because shaft IS crooked.consumer contacted dealer. *ak
- Power train › Manual transmission › Shift pattern indicator
When driving at any speed, the shift pattern indicator which IS sitting on the tail pipe keeps loosening. *ak
- Seat belts › Front › Retractor
Seat belt retractor failed causing it to be either too tight or not to retract properly.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
When driving at an high speed and when slowing down the vehicle shuts down completely. while at high speeds it starts to stall and will also shut off at an high speed. Dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Unknown or other
The engine check light remains illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. cause unknown. please give any further details. *ak
- Unknown or other
Dashboard separating on driver's side. Driver's view IS obscured. Took to dealer & informed to call "800" number in owner's manual. *ak
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Safety belt buckle malfunction
By letter dated august 25, 2002, KIA advised nhtsa that the subject vehicles will be recalled.specific corrective action to be taken by KIA has not been reported to nhtsa at this time.the safety recall program has been assigned campaign no. 02V-216.
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10133170PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
- 10109812TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.? It is critical for technicians to be aware that ALL such locking fasteners, regardless of type, are for ?one time use? only.
- 10109777TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other similar hardware, including threaded fasteners with pre-applied ?thread-locking adhesives.?
- 10091489Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each KIA model. Refer to the shop manual on kgis for the specific KIA model, then reference the automatic transaxle system/ repair procedures/ inspection and adjustment section for the correct atf check/fill procedures.
- 10026726KIA: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple KIA models.
- 10000033This bulletin provided information related to recall campaign 027 to replace the front seat belt buckles.
- 10000032Recall campaign 027 to replace front seat belt buckles. Notification letter to dealers.
- 609808This techinical service bulletin outlines the new sephia remanufactured automatic transmission program.
- 52287A/c suction hose.
Every KIA Sephia model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.