1999 Kia Sephia
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 173 of 428 complaints (40%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (28) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 491 in 1998 to 428 in 1999.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | vs. 1999 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,300–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–27 | 23–24 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 21–24 / 27–31 | 20–21 / 28–29 | 20–21 / 28–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 329–386 | 370–386 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 205 | 491 | 428 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 6 | 5 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 30 | 34 | 50 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 16 | 42 | |
| Injuries reported | 29 | 19 | 37 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 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 1999 Kia Sephia have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns 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 1999 Kia Sephia?
Brakes: 173 of 428 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 1999 Kia Sephia get?
EPA rates it 23–24 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 1999 Kia Sephia?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,700 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg (low) | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (low) | $2,700 (high) | 386 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 89 | 2 | 23 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 71 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 49 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 65 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 173 | 18 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Steering | 23 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 50 | 32 | 1 | 28 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 29 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 27 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 26 | 1 | 2 | 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 (5)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 04V305000 · Jun 30, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL · Campaign 00V175000 · Jul 20, 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 17, 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 17, 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 26, 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.