1996 Kia Sephia Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 11%of 118 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1996 Kia Sephia, 11% of the 118 complaints for this model year. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The first month I had car the ignition/steering locked and needed towing by Kia-nothing charged to me. The check engine light has been coming on and staying on shortly after 'repair' ever since I bought car 3-28-1998. I just got run-around' from western diversified/Kia and independent repair shop over axles. Kia told me nothing covered after 36,000 mi.. …”
NHTSA complaint #707178, filed 1999-06“Oil filters made by any other company than Kia does not work. I had to get an oil change twice because the one done by the car lot was not a Kia oil filter and the one I had done was not a Kia filter. I took the car to a Kia repair shop the next day and they cleaned the area and changed the filter. The brakes since I bought the car have been screaching and at that time, a brake repairman advised me my brakes wore at 95%. The brakes still screach and grind. In the summer, the air conditioner gives off a foul odor to the point of having to turn it off. The rear middle seatbelt does not latch. …”
NHTSA complaint #716669, filed 1999-12“Transmission broke down. Overdrive keeps slipping. Will not shift. Vehicle would not start up. The kill switch wiring keeps effecting starting. Brake disc & pads need to be replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #832363, filed 1998-12“Vehicle would not start at certain times, then the transmission went out while driving. Dealer replaced transmission, and now engine check light is back on.”
NHTSA complaint #842939, filed 1999-07Related service bulletins
- 10091489Dec 6, 2013Tsb: automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the correct automatic transmission fluids that are required for each kia…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 18 | 17% |
| 2000 | 50 | 19% |
| 1999 | 71 | 17% |
| 1998 | 68 | 14% |
| 1997 | 30 | 15% |
| 1996 | 13 | 11% |
| 1995 | 12 | 19% |
| 1994 | 5 | 31% |
Other parts of the 1996 Kia Sephia
39 complaintsElectrical system
19 complaintsEngine cooling
17 complaintsOther or unknown
17 complaintsSeat belts
15 complaintsBody and structure
12 complaintsAir bags
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsFuel system
4 complaintsSuspension
4 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1996 Kia Sephia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology