1998 Kia Sephia Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 44about this part
- Share
- 9%of 491 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,915miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 44 complaints about the visibility of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 9% of the 491 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,915 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 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.
“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“In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... Copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.”
NHTSA complaint #746288, filed 2001-06“Since the time that I have purchased this car it has been falling apart. The car is constantly shutting down or it just won't start. At this present time my car is sittting at stonemountain Kia whereas it is in need a third battery all within less than a years time. Eventhough they know the dangerous history of this car that I purchased new, they continually return the car to me without doing a safety check. I have had my car towed to their location several times in the same week because they have felled to fix the problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #719814, filed 2000-03“The contact owns a 1998 Kia Sephia. The contact stated that when she activated the windshield wipers, the wiper scratched the windshield and did not clear the rain. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 99v271000 (visibility) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they stated that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10508669, filed 2013-04, 55,000 miles“When gently braking at high speeds, the steering wheel shakes badly. Also, when braking to a stop, the car does not stop smoothly. It jerks and vibrates when the brakes are used until I come to a complete stop. The roters have been replaced once already. One winter morning, I noticed that my windshield wipers were not working. Upon closer inspection, I found that they had somehow loosened. Fortunately, there was no precipitation that day. When having the problem looked at by one of Kia's service centers, the guy there indicated that the problem was common.”
NHTSA complaint #711990, filed 1999-09Related recalls
- 99V271000Oct 6, 1999Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The ball socket on the windshield wiper link may be out of tolerance resulting in the link disengaging from the wiper…Covers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
Other parts of the 1998 Kia Sephia
256 complaintsEngine cooling
108 complaintsElectrical system
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
68 complaintsFuel system
62 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 28, 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