1997 Kia Sephia recalls & complaints
Source: NHTSA, updated daily. Last checked 2026-10-18. Recalls apply to specific VINs — run your VIN to confirm.
1 safety recall, most serious first
1. Seat belts
What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
What could happen: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
The fix: 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.
What to do
- Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 1997 SEPHIA.
- Book a repair at any authorized Kia dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 02V216000.
- The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
- Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-333-4542.
- Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.
Official wording from NHTSA
Component: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
Summary: 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.
Notes: ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Useful for owners
- OBD2 code reader — see what the car's computer is reporting
- Compact car fire extinguisher
- 1997 Kia Sephia owner's manual
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Most complained-about parts: Brakes (81), Hydraulic (76), Engine (46), Airbags (35), Transmission / drivetrain (33).
Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.
Read recent complaints (8)
03/23/2010 · Airbags
I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA OPTIMA USED IN OCTOBER 2007. THE CAR HAD ROUGHLY 18,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN LATE 2009, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, EVEN WHEN A NORMAL-SIZED ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
09/16/2007 · Body / structure
THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED/COMING UP AND HAS BENT/RUINED THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. IT HAPPENED ALL ON IT'S OWN, WE DID NOTHING TO PROVOKE THIS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. I AM CONCERNED IF IT HAS CAUSED AIRBAG DAMAGE. IT IS A HAZARD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS. ALSO THE TAILPIPE KEEPS GETTING HOLES IN IT A…
09/13/2007 · Visibility (wipers / glass)
DASHBOARD WARPED AND COMING UP AND TOUCHING WINDSHIELD. IT IS BREAKING OR BLOCKING THE VENT/DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THEREFORE THE WINDOWS BARELY DEFROST AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. ALSO "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. *TR
07/16/2007 · Airbags
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ILLUMINATED. HE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST WOULD BE $750 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER AL…
03/23/2007 · Airbags · crash
AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END CRASH. INJURIES INCLUDED HEAD,NECK AND BACK .THE CAR WAS TOTALED.*AK
10/02/2006 · Engine
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
02/02/2006 · Transmission / drivetrain
I NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND IN MY FRONT END OF MY 1997 KIA SEPHIA. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW AXLE SHAFTS ON BOTH SIDES. THE DEALER INFORMED ME HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS OVERNIGHT AND THAT HE DID NOT WANT ME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE A…
09/29/2005 · Electrical system
DT: 1997 KIA SEPHIA, THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING. WHEN THE CONSUMER ENTERED THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. UPON INSPECTING THE DASH SHE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH WAS BURNED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CLEANED THE DASH THE CLEANING CLOTH SMELLED BURNED AND THERE WAS A BROWN RESIDUE ON THE CLOTH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE I…