1997 Kia Sephia Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 75about this part
- Share
- 37%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 75 complaints about the brakes of the 1997 Kia Sephia, 37% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,000 miles. 6 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10070151, filed 2004-01, 63,000 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10020658, filed 2003-05“I have only had this car for 1 month. It had been in the shop 3 times. It has never been fixed to my satisfaction. The battery died the day after I brought it home. The brakes had to be completely replaced. That cost ~$200. I have a small infant and bought this car for safety (dual airbags) the dealer won't buy the car back and the service department can't seem to fix the car. Help!!!”
NHTSA complaint #731610, filed 2000-09“The last time my rotors warped for the fifth time, my dealer wasn't going to replaced them until I had a lengthy discussion with him and he called the manufacturer. He did not replace the brake pads this time because Kia would not authorize that expense. They are warping again for the sixth time. I have never had a car with as many problems as this car(some are not listed). I don't feel safe in it at all.”
NHTSA complaint #746838, filed 2001-06“I purchased my vehicle new and almost immediately started having problems with my brakes wearing out. First they resurfaced my original rotors and put them back on. The next time I took it in for brakes they deglazed brake lining . Each subsequent visit after these the rotors have had to be replaced. They keep telling me that Kia is working on the problem but I'm not seeing any results. My 36000 mi bumper to bomper warranty is about to expire and I'm afraid they'll try to start charging me for these repairs. …”
NHTSA complaint #710364, filed 1999-08Related service bulletins
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: 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…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 12 | 11% |
| 2000 | 85 | 32% |
| 1999 | 173 | 40% |
| 1998 | 256 | 52% |
| 1997 | 75 | 37% |
| 1996 | 39 | 33% |
| 1995 | 14 | 22% |
| 1994 | 4 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1997 Kia Sephia
44 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsSeat belts
20 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
14 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsVehicle speed control
8 complaintsSteering
7 complaintsTires
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1997 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