Model Year Problem Record
The complete public record for the 1998 Kia Sephia: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.
Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.
The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.
306 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
131 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
121 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 00V175000.
69 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
65 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 99V317000, 99V318000.
45 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 99V271000.
31 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
31 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V207000.
29 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
28 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
26 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
6 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V216000.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.
Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.
Engine. Recall covering the engine system, reported to NHTSA on July 17, 2000. The campaign covers an estimated 100,137 vehicles across all affected models.
Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on July 29, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 25,000 vehicles across all affected models.
Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on August 16, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 189,706 vehicles across all affected models.
Visibility. Recall covering the visibility system, reported to NHTSA on October 6, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 90,054 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on November 9, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 102,944 vehicles across all affected models.
Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on November 9, 1999. The campaign covers an estimated 102,944 vehicles across all affected models.
NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.
TURN SIGHAL. Resulted in recall campaign 02V207000.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. Resulted in recall campaign 00V175000.
TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 02V216000.
WINDSHIELD WIPER. Resulted in recall campaign 99V271000.
REFUELING SPIT- BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
REFUELING SPIT BACK. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.
INTERMITTENT STALLING. Resulted in recall campaign 99V317000.
When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.
Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.