1997 Kia Sephia Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 30about this part
- Share
- 15%of 205 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 56,450miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 30 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 1997 Kia Sephia, 15% of the 205 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 56,450 miles.
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“I noticed a clunking sound in my front end of my 1997 Kia Sephia. This car only has 49,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and was told I needed new axle shafts on both sides. The dealer informed me he would have to order the parts overnight and that he did not want me to pick up the vehicle until it was fixed because it was not safe to drive. The axle shafts are crumbling and he has no explanation as to why. He said you don't see that in Kia vehicles. Thankfully there was no accident but had I waited the consequences could have been devastating. …”
NHTSA complaint #10149273, filed 2006-02, 49,900 miles“On march 18 1999 my car would not start up instantly I had to try a few times to start my car and after three tries it finally started I took it to the dealership and thats when I found out I needed a new starter, flywheel,fuel trim malfunction, new DTC groung improvements procedures.”
NHTSA complaint #704634, filed 1999-03“The check engine light came on and I had transaxle problems getting the car in gear . I also had problems getting keys from ignition switch part took two weeks and was relaced at dealership”
NHTSA complaint #713906, filed 1999-10“During the past week, I have had to have both drive axles replaced on my 1997 Kia Sephia (at a cost of over $400) due to a vibration when the vehicle is moving. Unfortunately, this hasn't completely resolved my problem. I have been informed of a couple of things that I think should point to the need for a recall: (1) this problem is unique to the 1997 model year; (2) mid-way through the 1997 model year, the design for the drive axels was changed and my vehicle was manufactured prior to this change. Surely a change during the manufacturing year would indicate a design flaw. Dt”
NHTSA complaint #770337, filed 2002-12Related 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 1997 Kia Sephia
75 complaintsEngine cooling
44 complaintsElectrical system
31 complaintsAir bags
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