NHTSA vehicle safety data
1996 Kia Sephia Recalls & Complaints
The 1996 Kia Sephia has 1 NHTSA recall campaign on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1996 Kia Sephia. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1996 Kia Sephia. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
KIA/SEAT BELT BUCKLE
NHTSA #02V216000 · Seat Belts — Front — Buckle Assembly · NHTSA notice
Reported August 16, 2002 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 189,706 vehicles
Kia campaign SC027 · Owners notified December 20, 2002 · Vehicles built June 6, 1994 – May 15, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Safety consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Manufacturer remedy
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Notes
ALSO, CUSTOMERS CAN CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
Other Kia Sephia model years
Check your 1996 Kia Sephia VIN
Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Kia Sephia at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
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