1997 Kia Sephia Air Bags:frontal Problems
NHTSA component category: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
How air bags:frontal ranks on this vehicle
Share of the 205 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 1997 Kia Sephia overview page.
What owners report
“THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAS COME ON. INDICATING AIRBAGS ARE INOPERATIVE.THEY WERE FIXED ONE AT THE TIME, BUT PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED.”NHTSA complaint 838504 — filed 05/27/1999
“INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL IMPACT AT ABOUT 30 MPH, AND DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN…”NHTSA complaint 836898 — filed 04/20/1999
“BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED; WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS, CAUSING EXTENTED STOPPING DISTANCE, RESULTING IN LOSS OF CONTROL/CRASH. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.”NHTSA complaint 703389 — filed 02/17/1999
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Air Bags:frontal complaints by year filed
Frequently asked questions
Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have air bags:frontal problems?
Air Bags:frontal is the #3 most-reported problem area on the 1997 Kia Sephia: 23 of 205 complaints on file (11.2%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.
How many complaints does the 1997 Kia Sephia have in total?
205 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Across all categories, 30 involved a crash, 5 involved a fire, 28 reported injuries, and 2 reported deaths.
What does NHTSA's air bags:frontal category include?
NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the AIR BAGS:FRONTAL category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.
