1995 KIA Sephia problems
Owners have filed 104 complaints about the 1995 KIA Sephia with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 16.3% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of service brakes, hydraulic at 16.3%.
Complaints104
Crashes18
Fires1
Injuries28
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 16.3% · 17
Service brakes, hydraulic 16.3% · 17
Engine and engine cooling 9.6% · 10
Seat belts 8.7% · 9
Unknown or other 8.7% · 9
Structure 7.7% · 8
Air bags 4.8% · 5
Electrical system 3.8% · 4
Severity
Of those complaints, 18 describe a crash, 1 describe a fire and 28 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the KIA Sephia in this data, 1995 draws comparatively few complaints; 1998 is the outlier year.
Filings have fallen off, 3 in the last three years against 19 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 86,739 miles.
In owners' own words
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
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
Abs: experienced 3 times within 8 month period, brake pedal traveling to floor with no braking effect; also, o2 sensor failed, causing car to stall on railroad. Air flow sensor caused vehicle to stall on freeway ramp four weeks later o2 sensor had been replaced, four weeks after brake inspection, new rotors and pads were installed after the dealer stated no brake malfunction or safety defects could be detected. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other KIA Sephia years
1996 203 complaints · 23.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 375 complaints · 22.9% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 994 complaints · 30.9% service brakes, hydraulic 1999 749 complaints · 27.0% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 461 complaints · 19.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 158 complaints · 16.5% engine and engine cooling