1998 Kia Sephia Vehicle speed control Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 1%of 491 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 160,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the vehicle speed control of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 1% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 160,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The contact owns a 1998 Kia Sephia. While driving approximately 35 MPH the vehicle began to accelerate to 50 MPH on its own. The driver stated that he had to press the brake pedal excessively in order to slow the vehicle down. The failure mileage was 160,000. The current mileage was 171,000. The VIN was unavailable. The driver also stated that he notified the dealer and they told him that someone would contact him.”
NHTSA complaint #10313889, filed 2010-02, 160,000 miles“The floor shifter has a rattling noise. Had shifter replaced several times. The dashboard rattles. Glove compartment fell down. Radio speakers blown. Bearings in wheel grind. Doing fwy speed, vehicle would shimmy & shake. When slowing to stop, brakes would jerk. While waiting at stop, engine would be surging.”
NHTSA complaint #836418, filed 1999-04“Vehicle would accelerate on its own. Whenever shifting from park to reverse or drive, vehicle jumped. Have taken to dealer & had problem repaired. Informed was a throttle sensor that was causing the acceleration. A month later, the problem has reappeared.”
NHTSA complaint #831150, filed 1998-11Vehicle speed control: 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 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsExterior lighting
27 complaintsEquipment
26 complaintsBody and structure
26 complaintsSteering
24 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