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Owner report · 1998 model year

1998 Kia Sephia

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The Verdict

Worst problem area

Brakes

Brakes leads by volume: 256 of 491 complaints (52%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (10) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Complaints filed rose from 205 in 1997 to 491 in 1998.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

At a glance

NHTSA complaints
491
Recall campaigns
6
EPA fuel cost per year
$2,600–$2,700
Combined MPG
23–24

Complaints by model year

  1. 1181996
  2. 2051997
  3. 4911998
  4. 4281999

Where owners report problems

  1. Brakes256 (52%)
  2. Engine108 (22%)
  3. Electrical105 (21%)
  4. Transmission & Drivetrain68 (14%)
  5. Visibility & Lighting67 (14%)
  6. Fuel System62 (13%)
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-yearScroll sideways to see all 4 years. Fuel figures show the range across trims for years with more than one EPA-rated configuration.
Category1996199719981999vs. 1998 Compact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)2,300–2,9502,300–2,7002,600–2,7002,600–2,700
Combined MPG21–2723–2723–2423–24
City / Highway MPG18–24 / 26–3121–24 / 27–3120–21 / 28–2920–21 / 28–29
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)329–423329–386370–386370–386
Complaints filed118205491428Not compared
Recalls issued1165Not compared
Crash-involved complaints9303450Not compared
Fire-involved complaints451642Not compared
Injuries reported17291937Not compared
Deaths reported1200Not compared
Configurations compared4422

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 1998 Kia Sephia have?

6 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 1998 Kia Sephia?

Brakes: 256 of 491 NHTSA complaints (52%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 1998 Kia Sephia get?

EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined across 2 configurations.

How much does it cost to fuel a 1998 Kia Sephia?

EPA estimates $2,600–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

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EPA-Rated Configurations (2)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Automatic 4-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars20 mpg (low)29 mpg (high)23 mpg (low)$2,700 (high)386 g/mi (high)
Configuration 2Manual 5-spd41.8LFront-Wheel DriveRegularCompact Cars21 mpg (high)28 mpg (low)24 mpg (high)$2,600 (low)370 g/mi (low)

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine1083640
Transmission & Drivetrain685270
Fuel System626250
Electrical1055870
Brakes2569480
Steering242250
Suspension, Wheels & Tires292010
Airbags & Restraints37200100
Driver Assistance & Speed Control60000
Body, Seats & Latches331020
Visibility & Lighting672120
Other523230

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 (6)

  • SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

    Campaign 02V216000 · Aug 16, 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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

    Campaign 02V207000 · Jul 29, 2002

    Defect
    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 36,000 MILES OR LESS AS OF JULY 15, 2002, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEM MAY HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE HAZARD LIGHTS AND/OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNALS.
    Consequence
    THE LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS OR REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 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.

  • ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL

    Campaign 00V175000 · Jul 17, 2000

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MANUFACTURING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE ORVR SPRING FORCE AND FLOAT WIRE LENGTH REDUCING THE VALVE ANGLE. CERTAIN VALVES CAUSED FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY.
    Consequence
    THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORVR VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2000. 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.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Campaign 99V317000 · Nov 9, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.

  • FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

    Campaign 99V318000 · Nov 9, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy
    THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.

  • VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

    Campaign 99V271000 · Oct 6, 1999

    Defect
    VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BALL SOCKET ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN THE LINK DISENGAGING FROM THE WIPER MOTOR DRIVE UNDER LOAD, SUCH AS PUSHING AGAINST ICE, SNOW OR OTHER RESISTANCE. ALSO THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUT COULD BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED ALLOWING THE WIPER ARM TO SLIP AND/OR STOP FUNCTIONING.
    Consequence
    THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
    Remedy
    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.