1997 KIA Sephia
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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Vehicles › KIA › Sephia › 1997
These records cover every 1997 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 1997 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
205 complaints30 involved a crash5 involved a fire29 injuries2 deaths
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Structure
The dashboard IS warped/coming up and has bent/ruined the defrost/defogger system. It happened all on it's own, we did nothing to provoke this. I am the original owner and the car has never been in a wreck. I am concerned if it has caused airbag damage. it IS a hazard not to be able to defrost/defog windows. also the tailpipe keeps getting holes in it and we have to keep getting welding done on it. *jb
- Air bags · Interior lighting · Structure › Frame and members › Underbody shields · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system › Fan/motor
Dashboard warped and coming up and touching windshield. It IS breaking or blocking the vent/defroster/defogger system. therefore the windows barely defrost and this IS a safety hazard. I know of two other people having the same problem with the dashboard. also "door open" light remains on and drains battery. *Tr
- Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 KIA sephia. the contact stated that the air bag light on the instrument panel remains illuminated. he does not know if the air bags are working properly. the dealer stated that there was nothing they could do, especially since his vehicle IS not under warranty. the…
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 KIA sephia. the contact stated that the air bag light on the instrument panel remains illuminated. he does not know if the air bags are working properly. the dealer stated that there was nothing they could do, especially since his vehicle IS not under warranty. the cost would be $750 to have the sensor repaired. the dealer also stated that they are aware of the numerous amounts of complaints, but it IS not a safety issue. the current mileage IS 18,355 and failure mileage was 300. updated 09/05/07. *Jb
- Air bags › Frontal
Airbag failed to deploy during a front end crash. Injuries included head,neck and back .the car was totaled.*ak
- Engine and engine cooling
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. the vehicle was restarted and the dealership was unable to determine the problem.
- Power train › Axle assembly › Axle shaft
I noticed a clunking sound in my front end of my 1997 KIA sephia. This car only has 49,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and was told I needed new axle shafts on both sides. The dealer informed me he would have to order the parts overnight and that he did not want me to pick up the…
I noticed a clunking sound in my front end of my 1997 KIA sephia. This car only has 49,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and was told I needed new axle shafts on both sides. The dealer informed me he would have to order the parts overnight and that he did not want me to pick up the vehicle until it was fixed because it was not safe to drive. The axle shafts are crumbling and he has no explanation as to why. He said you don't see that in KIA vehicles. Thankfully there was no accident but had I waited the consequences could have been devastating. my car IS currently at the dealer for repairs, and I have asked them to hold on to the axle shafts when they are removed. *nm
- Air bags › Frontal
Dt: consumer's vehicle was hit by another car on august 15, 2005, and the airbags failed to deploy. Were still unsure of the extend of the injuries to the consumer. a police report was taken. the manufacturer was unhelpful to the consumer. they told the consumer that the airbags should not…
Dt: consumer's vehicle was hit by another car on august 15, 2005, and the airbags failed to deploy. Were still unsure of the extend of the injuries to the consumer. a police report was taken. the manufacturer was unhelpful to the consumer. they told the consumer that the airbags should not have deployed under these circumstances. although other information they sent her said that the air bags should have deployed. *ak
- Electrical system · Unknown or other
Dt: 1997 KIA sephia, the dashboard IS lifting. when the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. when the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the…
Dt: 1997 KIA sephia, the dashboard IS lifting. when the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. when the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. the vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it IS out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed. *ak *jb *nm
- Structure · Visibility › Defroster/defogger/hvac system
Dt: consumer owns 1997 KIA sephia. She had a problem with the dashboard. The vents for the defroster fell off, and the dashboard was brown, which began as a small spot and grew to cover the whole dashboard. She was concerned that the dashboard falling apart might somehow affect the airbags. She…
Dt: consumer owns 1997 KIA sephia. She had a problem with the dashboard. The vents for the defroster fell off, and the dashboard was brown, which began as a small spot and grew to cover the whole dashboard. She was concerned that the dashboard falling apart might somehow affect the airbags. She says that there IS a burning smell coming from dash, smell has been there since she purchased vehicle. She did purchase vehicle new.*ak
- Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
I have a 1997 KIA sephia RS and I have replaced the alternator belt 11 times and 4 of those have been in the last 3 months. I am unable to get any answers about why the belt keeps breaking from any repair shop, other than it must be a sizing defect by KIA. this last belt was replaced 6/05 and…
I have a 1997 KIA sephia RS and I have replaced the alternator belt 11 times and 4 of those have been in the last 3 months. I am unable to get any answers about why the belt keeps breaking from any repair shop, other than it must be a sizing defect by KIA. this last belt was replaced 6/05 and broke off again 8/17/05. I can only seem to get about 1-3 month use from a belt. I checked with the previous owner of the car, which I knew and she indicates that she had the same problems. I now have spoken to another KIA sephia RS owner same year and they got rid of theirs for that very reason.*jb
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Rear/other
Dt: the contact owned a 1997 KIA sephia. Contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 mph . Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy.there were three occupants in the car all wearing seat belts. The rear passenger side seat belt broke . The air bag warning light had not been on in…
Dt: the contact owned a 1997 KIA sephia. Contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 mph . Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy.there were three occupants in the car all wearing seat belts. The rear passenger side seat belt broke . The air bag warning light had not been on in this vehicle nor was it on after the crash. One person sustained injuries because of the seat belt. she broke two ribs. *ak
- Seat belts › Rear/other
Both of the rear seat belts will not reatract back to normal position, which IS preventing the rear passengers from being safe if the vehicle were to be involved in an accident. Manufacturer has been contacted by consumer.*ak
- Air bags › Frontal · Seat belts › Front
Consumer was driving was involved in a collision head on . Seat belt broke, throwing the consumer threw the driver's windshield. air bags did not deploy. vehicle was totaled. *ak consumer IS in a coma. *nm
- Air bags · Structure
The dashboard lifted up from the chassis of the vehicle. also, there was a hole that burned into the top of the dashboard. the consumer was concerned with the air bags not deploying or deploying prematurely. *ak *sc *jb
- Seat belts · Structure
Problems with seat belts and dashboard. *mr *sc *jb
- Power train · Service brakes, hydraulic · Unknown or other
When I bought the car the brakes felt bad because I had to push the brake all the way to the floor. after having it for 2 weeks other thing started to go wrong. I had to buy a cap and rotor and get spark plug and wires. Now the transmission IS messing up. They are not willing to put me in something better. They want me to pay on a junk car that I will always have to be fixing day after day.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
Intermittently while driving the vehicle looses power. Dealer indicated and performed a tune up on the vehicle. Consumer states the problem IS recurring. Please provide further information. *ph
- Structure
The passenger side dashboard IS lifting up, consumer believes this may cause the airbag to deploy. dealer has been contacted. *ak
- Air bags › Frontal
The dashboard on this year vehicle starts to curl and IS heading towards the passenger side airbag which may pop and cause injuries or fatalities. the dashboard also breaks the plastic vents which then does not distribute the air on the defroster properly which then could also cause fatalities or injuries.
- Structure
The dashboard came loose and lifted from the interior of the vehicle.*mr. The molding strip around the rear window was loose.*ts *jb
- Structure
The dashboard IS pulling apart and this IS unsafe and I worry about the air bags blasting off and other damage. I know this problem IS prevelant to this car also there IS something wrong with the breaks they squeak horribly, but the break people say they don't need to be replaced, unsure of the cause.*ak
- Structure
The dashboard area, in front of driver's seat developed "burn" spots and since then popped out, near the front windshield. as a result, the consumer experienced respiratory problems and blurred vision when driving for an extended period of time. the consumer believed the sun contacted the dash…
The dashboard area, in front of driver's seat developed "burn" spots and since then popped out, near the front windshield. as a result, the consumer experienced respiratory problems and blurred vision when driving for an extended period of time. the consumer believed the sun contacted the dash and had given off some type of chemical. *ak the burn spot was approximately 12 inches in diameter. every three to four days it created a film on the inside of the windshield(the size of the burn area) and also had given off an odor. the odor made the consumer's husband sick and her sister's eyes burn. *scc *jb
- Service brakes, air › Disc › Rotor
Took car into dealer because brakes were pulsing. service consultant showed me a service bulletin indicating that there was a problem with the original rotors and that they needed to replace them with a newer design that was not subject to heat warping. the extra cost to me for replacement rotors $110 above the cost of replacing the pads and caliphers, which increased the total cost of the brake job to $307.
- Engine and engine cooling › Engine
When the consumer pulled off from a stop, the vehicle stalled. this incident occurred in traffic which made it a dangerous situation. *nlm ph *jb
- Structure
The dash board started to lift/ expand, which may cause the air bag to deploy. *Jb
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.
- 10201529TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL NOT be necessary in most cases.
- 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.
- 608137Recall campagin on evaporative fuel vapor hose replacement for vehicles equipped with 1.8 liter bpd engines.
- 607703Replacement repairs of all evaporative fuel vapor hoses and pipes at the fuel tank.
- 52442Sephia front brake pads - design change.
- 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.