1998 Kia Sephia Recalls
NHTSA lists 6 recall campaigns for the 1998 Kia Sephia. A recall applies only to vehicles built within the affected range, so check your own VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for recalls are free at a franchised dealer.
- Seat belts › Front › Buckle assemblyCovers: Kia Sephia 1995–1998, Sportage 1995–1998
Reported issue: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Possible consequence: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Remedy: Owner notification began december 20, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
- Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › SwitchCovers: Kia Sephia 1998
Reported issue: On certain passenger vehicles with 36,000 miles or less as of july 15, 2002, an electrical contact problem may have developed in the hazard switch which could result in inoperative hazard lights and/or inoperative turn signals.
Possible consequence: The loss of turn signals or rear hazard lamps could fail to warn a following driver that the vehicle is turning and/or is stopped and could result in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the hazard switch. Owner notification began september 6, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
- Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission controlCovers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Manufacturing changes were made to the orvr spring force and float wire length reducing the valve angle. Certain valves caused fuel shut off before the tank reached 95% of nominal capacity.
Possible consequence: This would cause customers to add more fuel to the tank causing fuel spillback or spitback from the fuel filler neck.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the orvr valve. Owner notification began november 13, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Electrical current to the fuel pump passes through the c304 and c305 connectors. If exposed to moisture, these connectors could corrode. Over time, the fuel pump will not receive enough current to operate.
Possible consequence: This condition could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing connectors and reposition those connectors to an area where the placement is designed to prevent contact with moisture.
- Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pumpCovers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The electrical circuit for the fuel pump is grounded at junction connector g300. If the pin tension is poor, or the bolt securing the connector to the vehicle floor is not tightened sufficiently, a poor connection is made. As the fuel pump operates, the poor connection can create heat which in turn increases resistance. Eventually the fuel pump will not receive enough…
Possible consequence: This condition could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: This corrective action is being performed in conjunction with recall no. 99v317.
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › LinkagesCovers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Reported issue: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The ball socket on the windshield wiper link may be out of tolerance resulting in the link disengaging from the wiper motor drive under load, such as pushing against ice, snow or other resistance. Also the wiper arm retaining nut could be inadequately tightened allowing the wiper arm to slip and/or stop functioning.
Possible consequence: This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the windshield wiper link and also properly tighten the wiper arm retaining nuts.
NHTSA investigations
- EA04004Refueling spit backClosed · Feb 3, 2004
- RQ03006Refueling spit backClosed · Aug 15, 2003
- EA02016Non-crash engine compartment firesClosed · Aug 6, 2002
- PE02051Safety belt buckle malfunctionClosed · Jun 17, 2002
- PE02028Battery cable chafingClosed · Mar 6, 2002
- PE00028Transmission oil cooler lineClosed · Jul 12, 2000
- EA00018TURN SIGHALClosed · Jun 29, 2000
- PE00004Turn signal, traffic safety hazardClosed · Jan 13, 2000
- EA99034Refueling spit backClosed · Dec 16, 1999
- SQ99020Intermittent stallingClosed · Jun 30, 1999
- PE99042Refueling spit- backClosed · Jun 24, 1999
- PE99033Windshield wiperClosed · May 6, 1999
← 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.