1998 Kia Sephia Other or unknown Problems
- Complaints
- 29about this part
- Share
- 6%of 491 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 41,596miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 29 complaints about the other or unknown of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 6% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 41,596 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“Pre owned vehicle purchased in very good condition and still in very good condition. At purchase front of dashboard was slightly warped. Since purchase, front of dashboard has become increasingly warped, defrost vents are severely cracked, causing front windshield defrost not to function properly.”
NHTSA complaint #10008300, filed 2003-03, 19,830 miles“Since I purchased the car in 1999, I have had the vehicle back to the dealer 4 times for the engin lt staying on; still on and not repaired. Lt would be back on the same day or next day after picking up from dealership; brakes needed for inspection; not installed properly; squeeky and whole front end makes noises when you touch the brakes to slow down or stop.”
NHTSA complaint #725295, filed 2000-07“I reported this to Kia and tried to trade the car, but Kia would not make an even trade they wanted me to finance the new car which would have put me up side down with financing. No safety defect listed.”
NHTSA complaint #717624, filed 2000-01“Break pads and rotors need to be replaced approximately every 3000 miles when car is taken in for oil change. I could not fill the gas tank completely when I first purchased the car because the automatic shut off. Gas tank and float valve were replaced after waiting a month for the parts. Check engine light would stay on and o/d off light would flash, called dealer and had to wait a week for appointment. Dealer stated new coupling was needed. Waited month for part. When I went to pick up car, dealer stated it need a new transmission instead. I waited two weeks for parts. …”
NHTSA complaint #708778, filed 1999-07Other or unknown: other model years
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 complaintsAir bags
31 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 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