CarModelProblems.com

1997 Kia Sephia Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026

Elevated complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline — runs 1.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
205Complaints
1Recalls
30Crashes
5Fires
28Injured
2Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline (16.1% of complaints) — has no NHTSA recall or open investigation on file.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline complaints here are 1.6× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

None of the 6 most-reported categories on this page have a recall or open investigation on file — they rest on unverified owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline33 · 16.1%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor23 · 11.2%No official action
Air Bags:frontal23 · 11.2%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc21 · 10.2%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components19 · 9.3%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission17 · 8.3%No official action

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL23 · 11.2%
Unspecified / other23 · 11.2%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS19 · 9.3%
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION17 · 8.3%
STRUCTURE11 · 5.4%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP9 · 4.4%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE8 · 3.9%

Percentages are the share of the 205 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 1 campaign

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 02V216000 · 2002 · reported 08/16/2002

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING DOWN OR TURNING VEHICLE WOULD STALL. CONSUMER FELT THIS WAS A SAFETY ISSUE, TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND THEY WERE NOT…”NHTSA complaint 858395 — filed 03/13/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE STALLS UNEXPECTEDLY WHICH MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER CANNOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.”NHTSA complaint 858365 — filed 03/13/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES ENGINE STALLS COMPLETELY OUT. HAS TO BE TURNED OFF AND STARTED BACK UP. DEALER HAS SEEN VEHICLE, AND CANT…”NHTSA complaint 851801 — filed 10/26/1999 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

9199613199771199891199982200051200115200216200392004920052200672007

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1997 Kia Sephia?

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 33 of 205 NHTSA complaints (16.1%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc:rotor (23), air bags:frontal (23), unspecified/other issues (23). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1997 Kia Sephia have?

205 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 30 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. 2 deaths were reported.

Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have any recalls?

Yes — 1 NHTSA safety recall campaign, including campaign 02V216000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1997 Kia Sephia's reported problems?

0 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/14/2026.