RoadVitals

1996 Kia Sephia

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
118
Latest Oct 7, 2005
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Aug 16, 2002
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
17 injuries, 1 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 118 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 1996 Kia Sephia, most frequently naming the brakes, engine and seat belts categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 11 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

1 campaign cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
02V216000

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

Aug 16, 2002
189,706 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
The risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The 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.
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number SC027View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE02051ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION

Opened Jun 17, 2002
Closed Sep 20, 2002

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.

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLYLed to recall 02V216000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 118
Visibility
Filed Oct 7, 2005

DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2003 THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER . IT DID NOT DEFOG THE WINDOW, IT WILL WORK SOMEWHAT BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. CAN SEE THE INSIDE DASHBOARD WHERE WIRING AND FOAM WAS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE DECEMBER 2003. CONSUMER HAD TRIED TO PUSH THE DASHBOARD DOWN WITH HER HANDS, BUT THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD A DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID
10139038
Incident
Dec 1, 2003
Body & structure
Filed Dec 14, 2004

I PURCHASED A 1996 KIA SEPHIA AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLAM AS ALOT OF OTHER OWNERS. THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING AND PEELING AWAY FROM THE FRAME.*AK

NHTSA ID
10102903
Incident
Nov 4, 1996
Mileage
56,000 mi
Brakes
Filed Nov 3, 2004

ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK

NHTSA ID
10099333
Incident
Nov 3, 2004
Body & structure
Filed Apr 21, 2004

IT IS UNBELIEVEABLE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS FOR KIA VEHICLES. I OWN A KIA SEPHIA AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE DASHBOARD CRACKS AND PEELS OFF. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MODELS AND IT FACES THE SAME PROBLEMS. MATTER OF FACT I VISITED KIA DEALERSHIPS AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THIS ITEMS. THE DEALERSHIPS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THAT SAME ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUES. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067593
Incident
Dec 10, 2002
Mileage
66,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 20, 2004

DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID
10067482
Incident
Apr 13, 1999
Mileage
20,000 mi
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Jan 7, 2004

THE DASHBOARD IS RISING AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. *AK *MR

NHTSA ID
10053627
Mileage
17,000 mi
Engine
Filed Sep 5, 2003

WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ILLUMINATED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ID
10038262
Incident
Aug 12, 2003
Mileage
72,864 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 9, 2003

CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD IS PEELING OFF FROM THE CAR'S FOUNDATION.*AK

NHTSA ID
10026909

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

PS539

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

PITSTOP - 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.

TSB-GEN085R1

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; EQUIPMENT:MECHANICAL

TSB: 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.

TSB-GEN085

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY; LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

TSB: 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.?

TSBTRA046

POWER TRAIN

TSB: 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.

KT-2008082201

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS; PARKING BRAKE:INDICATOR LIGHT

KIA: 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. *PE

027

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DEALERS. *TT

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Kia Sephia by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2003200—
2002600—
20011070349.8
20002661756.9
199942851267.7
199849161263.4
19972051151.9
1996Viewing1181150.0
1995641151.8
1994161044.8
1993000—
1986200—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.