CarModelProblems.com

1999 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.
428Complaints
5Recalls
50Crashes
42Fires
37Injured
0Deaths

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 (15.7% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.

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.

1 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 5 rest on owner reports alone.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline67 · 15.7%RecalledRecall 00V175000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc63 · 14.7%No official action
Power Train:automatic Transmission51 · 11.9%Investigation closedPE00028
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip38 · 8.9%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components37 · 8.6%No official action
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor34 · 7.9%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

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR34 · 7.9%
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL25 · 5.8%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY24 · 5.6%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE19 · 4.4%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM19 · 4.4%

Percentages are the share of the 428 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 — 5 campaigns

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 99V318000 · 1999 · reported 11/09/1999

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

NHTSA campaign 99V317000 · 1999 · reported 11/09/1999

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Engine And Engine Cooling:exhaust System:emission Control

NHTSA campaign 00V175000 · 2000 · reported 07/17/2000

THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Visibility:windshield Wiper/washer:linkages

NHTSA campaign 99V271000 · 1999 · reported 10/06/1999

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

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

Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly

NHTSA campaign 04V305000 · 2004 · reported 06/24/2004

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED. 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

“RECALL 99V318/ ENGINE STALLING. DEALER'S NEXT AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT IS ON 3/21/2000.”NHTSA complaint 858383 — filed 03/13/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“RECALL 99V318/ENGINE STALLING. PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE, AS OF 3-16-2000 PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE.”NHTSA complaint 857980 — filed 03/06/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
“ONGOING /INTERMITTENT STALLING ON 4-5 OCCASIONS. ALSO, A FAULTY WATER PUMP WAS REPLACED.. DEALER NOTIFIED.”NHTSA complaint 857545 — filed 02/25/2000 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

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

Complaint trend by year filed

10719992901442001904120032716200517220075220092520161

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 1999 Kia Sephia?

Engine and engine cooling:engine:gasoline issues are the most-reported category, cited in 67 of 428 NHTSA complaints (15.7%), followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:disc (63), power train:automatic transmission (51), service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (38). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 1999 Kia Sephia have?

428 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 50 involved a crash, 42 involved a fire, and 37 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 1999 Kia Sephia have any recalls?

Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 99V318000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 1999 Kia Sephia's reported problems?

1 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page is 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.