1999 Kia Sephia Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 9%of 428 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the air bags of the 1999 Kia Sephia, 9% of the 428 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 30 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.
“The horn stopped working on my 1999 Kia Sephia with 61,000 miles. The dealership (which also sells and services fords) estimated the repair at $50 to $100, which I authorized. A few hours later the service manager called and told me to forget it. Due to a totally bizarre design, the horn is integrated into the airbag unit and fixing the horn requires replacing the entire airbag assembly. The cost: $650 for the part and $150 labor, total $800. If the horn design were normal, he said it would have cost less than $100. …”
NHTSA complaint #10070685, filed 2004-01, 61,000 miles“Consumer stated while traveling 45 MPH, the vehicle hydroplaned and the vehicle crashed into a telephone pole head on. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy.”
NHTSA complaint #10039789, filed 2003-10, 51,014 miles“The contact stated while driving the vehicle 45mph another vehicle rear ended the contact's vehicle. This resulted in a collision, the air bags did not deploy. Also the driver's seat fell backward during the collision. Injuries were sustained; the vehicle was able to be driven home. The vehicle has not been inspected. The manufacturer has not been contacted , no repairs made.”
NHTSA complaint #10151864, filed 2006-03, 112,520 miles“While driving 65 MPH consumer was involved in a frontal collision. Upon impact, both frontal air bags failed to deploy. This caused driver to sustain minor injuries, and was transported to a hospital by ambulance. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for inspection.”
NHTSA complaint #10090395, filed 2004-09“When consumer's vehicle crashed into the passenger's side of another vehicle, there was no deployment of the driver's side or passenger's side air bags. Vehicle was traveling about 10-15 MPH when crash happened. Vehicle has been repaired. Also, brake rotors have been replaced twice , once at 3,000 miles, and again at 6,000 or 7,000 miles. However, brake rotors need to be replaced again.”
NHTSA complaint #859389, filed 2000-03Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 18 | 17% |
| 2000 | 32 | 12% |
| 1999 | 37 | 9% |
| 1998 | 31 | 6% |
| 1997 | 30 | 15% |
| 1996 | 11 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 8% |
| 1994 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 1999 Kia Sephia
173 complaintsEngine cooling
88 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
71 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsSteering
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
19 complaintsBody and structure
17 complaintsSuspension
17 complaintsOther or unknown
15 complaintsSeat belts
13 complaintsEquipment
11 complaints
← All problems reported for the 1999 Kia Sephia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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