1998 Kia Sephia Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 108about this part
- Share
- 22%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 108 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 22% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 6 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My wife was driving our 1998 Kia Sephia and the engine began to stall. She pulled into a parking lot and the engine caught on fire. My wife ran away form the vehicle. The whole front of the car was burned up.”
NHTSA complaint #10157930, filed 2006-05, 127,000 miles“Since may of 2002, this car has been in the shop 9 times and of this date it is still there. First they said it was fuses. Actually it has never run or started right. It had to be towed at least 4 times. The last time that it went in was 8/5/03, they fixed the water pump, belts, crank pulley. This was all under warranty. When I picked up my car it made a terrible sound. They said it was the new belts. So I drove it home and 2 days later it?s back in there. The next day sabrina called and said that it was the air conditioner compressor. It was going to cost me over 600.00 to fix it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070149, filed 2004-01, 41,596 miles“Sliding door keeps ajar, and overhead light come son. Brakes are squealing and the car shakes badly if I go 65 miles per hour. I noticed that when it is raining that the car makes a terrible buzzing sound. I ahve had an exhaust leak and the brakes replaced already once and the fuel pump was replaced but I am still having problems with it.”
NHTSA complaint #721576, filed 2000-04“Over a period of time, approximately 70,00 miles on my car, the AC/heater fan motor will blow air intermittently, regardless of the fan's speed setting. Eventually, the fan stops blowing all together. This same thing has happened with my 1999 Kia Sephia.”
NHTSA complaint #10135239, filed 2005-09“Since purchase date I have had numerous problems such as vehicle stalling in middle of highway, engine light staying on, radio, air conditioner and most importantly the brakes. The original brakes failed at 5560 miles, replacemts at 7520 miles, again at 10750 miles. This is a major inconvenience and I am afraid an accident will occur.”
NHTSA complaint #712682, filed 1999-10Related recalls
- 00V175000Jul 17, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Manufacturing changes were made to the orvr spring force and float wire length reducing the valve angle. Certain…Covers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Kia Sephia
256 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 27, 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