1997 Kia Sephia
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 75 of 205 complaints (37%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more deaths (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 118 in 1996 to 205 in 1997.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1997 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,250–2,850 | 2,300–2,950 | 2,300–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–28 | 21–27 | 23–27 | 23–24 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–25 / 26–32 | 18–24 / 26–31 | 21–24 / 27–31 | 20–21 / 28–29 | 20–21 / 28–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 317–404 | 329–423 | 329–386 | 370–386 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 64 | 118 | 205 | 491 | 428 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 12 | 9 | 30 | 34 | 50 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 4 | 5 | 16 | 42 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 17 | 29 | 19 | 37 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 1997 Kia Sephia have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 1997 Kia Sephia?
Brakes: 75 of 205 NHTSA complaints (37%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1997 Kia Sephia get?
EPA rates it 23–27 MPG combined across 4 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1997 Kia Sephia?
EPA estimates $2,300–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.6L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 24 mpg (high) | 31 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | $2,300 (low) | 329 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 27 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (low) | 29 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 44 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 30 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 12 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 33 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 75 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Steering | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 45 | 22 | 0 | 26 | 2 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 21 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 24 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 02V216000 · Aug 28, 2002
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.