1999 KIA Sephia problems
Owners have filed 749 complaints about the 1999 KIA Sephia with NHTSA. Service brakes, hydraulic account for 27% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 14.4%.
Complaints749
Crashes68
Fires77
Injuries50
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Service brakes, hydraulic 27.0% · 202
Engine and engine cooling 14.4% · 108
Electrical system 10.7% · 80
Power train 10.4% · 78
Fuel system, gasoline 6.4% · 48
Air bags 5.2% · 39
Steering 3.7% · 28
Visibility 2.7% · 20
Severity
Of those complaints, 68 describe a crash, 77 describe a fire and 50 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 7 model years of the KIA Sephia in this data, 1999 ranks 2nd by complaint volume — 1998 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 8 in the last three years against 9 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 33,500 miles.
In owners' own words
There have been no accidents due to this problem, however, we have had to have the pads and rotors replaced 5 times due to wearing of the pads, and warping of the rotors. The company has offered an extended warranty if we sign a release freeing them from any liability for the car other than warranty replacement parts and labor past, present or future, or resposibility for injkuries or property damage. Service brakes, hydraulic
I have has the roters replaced on this car 4 times! The last time at 32,000 now the car is at 46,000 an the brakes have failed again!!!! Pad are worn down to the steel. Roter gets scared. Same thing every time!!!! Now I have to pay for this. I dont feel that they have fixed this issue and should still be coverd under the warranty. Even the warrenty on the brake pads and roters were not up yet!!! Service brakes, hydraulic
Brake pedal depressed to firewall without stopping vehicle on first engagement. Pedal was pumped 3 times before stopping occurred. Speed was 25 mph. Road condition was dry. Stopping was controlled in traffic situation. Vehicle had been serviced twice by dealer for vibration in brake system and noise emmanating from front brakes. Upon notifying dealer, owner was told nothing is wrong with brake system. Service brakes, hydraulic
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other KIA Sephia years
1995 104 complaints · 16.3% power train 1996 203 complaints · 23.2% service brakes, hydraulic 1997 375 complaints · 22.9% service brakes, hydraulic 1998 994 complaints · 30.9% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 461 complaints · 19.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 158 complaints · 16.5% engine and engine cooling