1999 Kia Sephia Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 173about this part
- Share
- 40%of 428 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 30,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 173 complaints about the brakes of the 1999 Kia Sephia, 40% of the 428 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 30,000 miles. 18 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 dealer had replaced two automatic transmissions in the last two years. The vehicle was a lease and had only one year remaining and was unable to be driven. The vehicle needed a transmission and brakes. The engine light had come on, the transmission lines leaked, and when the brakes were applied they were noisy.”
NHTSA complaint #10047899, filed 2003-12, 32,000 miles“While applying the brake pedal at 35 MPH the pedal went down to the floor and would not return. This caused the vehicle to rear end another vehicle in front of them. Upon impact, neither frontal air bag deployed. Passenger sustained neck and back injuries, and refused medical assistance.”
NHTSA complaint #10088003, filed 2004-08, 70,000 miles“Emergency brake does not work well. As a result the vehicle sometimes rolls when the emergency brake was engaged. Emergency cable was replaced but vehicle still experience the same failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10067198, filed 2004-05, 30,000 miles“The car died while driving down the road repeatedly. Battery leaked. Brakes had to be replaced for the entire car at 60,000 miles. The vents on the dashboard have popped up and broken. Now the defroster does not blow the air on the windshield. This vehicle was stored in a garage. The seams on the seat come undone. The cigarette lighter broke and flops in the dash. The switch to override the transmission lock is broken. The rear brake light broke when replacing the struts which you have to remove the back dash to get to. The board that is under the carpet in the trunk warped. …”
NHTSA complaint #10093527, filed 2004-10, 15,000 miles“I have has the roters replaced on this car 4 times! The last time at 32,000 now the car is at 46,000 an the brakes have failed again!!!! Pad are worn down to the steel. Roter gets scared. Same thing every time!!!! Now I have to pay for this. I dont feel that they have fixed this issue and should still be coverd under the warranty. Even the warrenty on the brake pads and roters were not up yet!!!”
NHTSA complaint #743651, filed 2001-04Related service bulletins
- 10026726Aug 28, 2008Kia: all models. Article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear combination bulb; rear stop lamp/tail lamp bulb utilized on multiple kia…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 12 | 11% |
| 2000 | 85 | 32% |
| 1999 | 173 | 40% |
| 1998 | 256 | 52% |
| 1997 | 75 | 37% |
| 1996 | 39 | 33% |
| 1995 | 14 | 22% |
| 1994 | 4 | 25% |
Other parts of the 1999 Kia Sephia
88 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
71 complaintsElectrical system
63 complaintsFuel system
49 complaintsAir bags
37 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