1997 Kia Sephia Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 10%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 76,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1997 Kia Sephia, 10% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 76,000 miles. 2 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“The vehicles dashboard is becoming detached from the frame its mounted on. Consumer is concerned because of the electrical wiring underneath. Dealer has been contacted. Please provide any further information.”
NHTSA complaint #10003651, filed 2003-01, 89,000 miles“I have reported this intermittent problem ever since I first purchased this car; however, the dealer insists there is nothing wrong with the car since they can't detect the problem while it is in their possession. I have reported the problem at least a dozen times over the past 3 years, yet it has shown up on my maintenance slip only once or twice that I have reported it. …”
NHTSA complaint #737190, filed 2000-12“Dt: 1997 Kia Sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed.”
NHTSA complaint #10134181, filed 2005-09“3rd time problem with rotors.turned 1x,replaced 1x.check engine light came on and they're claiming that the wiring is corroded all over the car.admits Kia has problem with rotors,but won't fix it because I haven't used dealership for routine and maintenance (too expensive and bad hours...they charged $200 more than any other place for 30k service!same work involved!”
NHTSA complaint #735511, filed 2000-10Other or unknown: other model years
Other parts of the 1997 Kia Sephia
75 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsAir bags
30 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
30 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 29, 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