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 category
Reports
Official status
Reference
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline
67 · 15.7%
Recalled
Recall 00V175000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc
63 · 14.7%
No official action
—
Power Train:automatic Transmission
51 · 11.9%
Investigation closed
PE00028
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip
38 · 8.9%
No official action
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components
37 · 8.6%
No official action
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor
34 · 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.
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.
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
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
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 itPark 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
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.
Install CarModelProblemsAdd it to your home screen for one-tap access — no app store.
Install CarModelProblemsTap Share, then Add to Home Screen.