1999 Kia Sephia Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 88about this part
- Share
- 21%of 428 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 58,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 88 complaints about the engine cooling of the 1999 Kia Sephia, 21% of the 428 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 23 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.
“Over a period of time, approximately 70,00 miles on my car, the AC/heater fan motor will blow air intermittently, regardless of the fan's speed setting. Eventually, the fan stops blowing all together. This same problem has happened on my 1998 Kia Sephia as well.”
NHTSA complaint #10135238, filed 2005-09, 70,000 miles“There was an ongoing / intermittent problem with the vehicle stalling while taking off from a stop position or while driving 25 MPH or more. The vehicle hesitated before it stalled. The vehicle had been to the dealer three times and they were unable to correct/ duplicate the problem. Please provide any further information concerning this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10052230, filed 2003-12, 52,000 miles“Repeated problem with battery. Replaced 3 times. Never liked to start, always shimmied.returned to dealer for tune up. Car was returned with more problems that turned in with. Car wouldn't keep a constant gas flow. Traded it in and the dealer said the motor was bad and headed for a total break down. When it died - it was three years old with 60,000 miles.”
NHTSA complaint #10026058, filed 2003-07, 65,000 miles“The transmission failed at 30,000, when the vehicle was repaired, consumer was informed that eventually there would be problems with the engine, consumer stated it took numerous tires to get the vehicle to start. Ts”
NHTSA complaint #8021280, filed 2002-10, 30,000 miles“I thought the brakes were going bad in december, they shafed the rotors. In less than three moths they replaced them on march 2, 2000. They have replaced the brake pads three times. They have replaced the exhaust. They have two recalls. They have had to fix my transmission. The pin stripes are now starting to come off. The rubber peice around the back passenger doors are also comming off. ( DOT number: 0 tire size: 14 )”
NHTSA complaint #722876, filed 2000-05Related recalls
- 00V175000Jul 17, 2000Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Manufacturing changes were made to the orvr spring force and float wire length reducing the valve angle. Certain…Covers: Kia Sephia 1998–1999
Related service bulletins
- 10133170Mar 2, 2018PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned…
Engine cooling: other model years
Other parts of the 1999 Kia Sephia
173 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 27, 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