1998 Kia Sephia Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 31about this part
- Share
- 6%of 491 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 31 complaints about the air bags of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 6% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 40,000 miles. 20 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.
“The airbag in my daughters Kia Sephia 1998 passenger side only deployed while she was sitting at a red light. There was no accident and no reason for the airbag to go off. Took to dealship for review and was told that the expert looked at the car and said there is nothing they can do and no idea why it happen. Then continued to say that someone could have done something wrong to the car and we would never no, but they were not going to spend any more time or money to find out what really may have caused this. …”
NHTSA complaint #10202846, filed 2007-09, 30,090 miles“While driving 60 MPH the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. The dual air bag did not deploy upon impact. The consumer sustained bruising from the seat belt. Please provide additional information.”
NHTSA complaint #10096855, filed 2004-10, 128,333 miles“The driver in front of my vehicle stopped to rubberneck at an accident. My daughter rear-ended the car at 50-55 MPH and her 98 Kia Sephia air bag did not deploy. She has chiropractic injuries.”
NHTSA complaint #718133, filed 2000-01“I was in a very serious accident on august 7th, at 10:30 am while driving in the middle lane of the mass pike rt. 90 framingham, mass. I thought my Kia sehpia was in accelent condition, but while I was driving in the middle lane, the steering wheel and column started shaking and I could not steer the vehicle. I tried to keep the vehicle in the lane but could not control the steering. The car screeched and was pulling to the right. To my immediate right was a large ryder rental truck, I braced myself and hit the left front end of the truck. …”
NHTSA complaint #766723, filed 2002-09“While driving on old route 50 another vehicle cut across in front of consumer's vehicle. Consumer was not able to stop, and hit vehicle broadside. Neither airbag deployed. Contacted manufacturer, and was told nothing was wrong. Since the accident, airbags have been on all the time. Also, had brakes replaced 5 or 6 times. When applying brakes the steering wheel shakes. Also, done an alignment.”
NHTSA complaint #862030, filed 2000-05Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 18 | 17% |
| 2000 | 32 | 12% |
| 1999 | 37 | 9% |
| 1998 | 31 | 6% |
| 1997 | 30 | 15% |
| 1996 | 11 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 8% |
| 1994 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1998 Kia Sephia
256 complaintsEngine cooling
108 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaintsEquipment
26 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsSteering
24 complaintsSuspension
23 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1998 Kia Sephia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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