1998 Kia Sephia Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 256about this part
- Share
- 52%of 491 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 256 complaints about the brakes of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 52% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 9 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 1998 Kia Sephia rear brake pad fell off fell off the shoe. Apparently they are held on by glue. It was replaced but I still have problems when it rains a lot , they lock up when parked. I don't dare use my emergency brake because the brakes lock up.”
NHTSA complaint #10234729, filed 2008-07, 80,000 miles“The brakes on this car are terrible! I have been in and out of the shop since this car was bought. I have had numerous pad and rotor replacements. I even got into a rear-end accident 1 1/2 years ago that I could have avoided with competent brakes. I now have to replace the drums and rear shoes because they have been working overtime to compensate for the poor front brakes. Thanks a bunch Kia! Worst car I've ever driven.”
NHTSA complaint #10000371, filed 2002-12, 50,000 miles“I purchased a Kia in march 02' I used the car for long trips the first year I had owned the car and I had no faults in jan.- feb 03' the car began to shift in to numerous gears and then stall. I was then deployed to iraq. I left the car with a good friend. When I came back he informed me that the car wouldn't start. Dealer said it was the fuel pump. Friend replaced the fuel pump.friend then replaced fuel pump again when car wouldn't start. Friend left the car alone,when it didn't start, until I had returned from iraq. …”
NHTSA complaint #10051293, filed 2003-12, 65,000 miles“I brought a new Kia Sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for Kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while driving at night, but no mechanic can locate the electrical short problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10196733, filed 2007-07, 80 miles“Rear brake shoes came apart and lodged in the drum, locking the steering wheel. The dealer replaced the rear brake shoes and left rear brake drum. They also resurfaced the right rear brake drum. The consumer request reimbursement for the repair because he feels this failure was not due to normal wear. (nar)”
NHTSA complaint #10057167, filed 2004-01, 32,370 milesRelated 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 1998 Kia Sephia
108 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsFuel system
62 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
44 complaintsAir bags
31 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 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