NHTSA vehicle safety data
1998 Kia Sephia Recalls & Complaints
The 1998 Kia Sephia has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns on file as of October 21, 2026. try.vin has no NHTSA owner complaints on file for the 1998 Kia Sephia. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Kia dealer.
NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 1998 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).
KIA/HAZARD SWITCH
NHTSA #02V207000 · Exterior Lighting — Hazard Flashing Warning Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice
Reported July 29, 2002 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 25,000 vehicles
Kia campaign 024 · Owners notified September 6, 2002 · Vehicles built September 1, 1997 – April 30, 1998 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 36,000 MILES OR LESS AS OF JULY 15, 2002, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEM MAY HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE HAZARD LIGHTS AND/OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNALS.
Safety consequence
THE LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS OR REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 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).
KIA/ORVR VALVE
NHTSA #00V175000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Exhaust System — Emission Control · NHTSA notice
Reported July 17, 2000 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 100,137 vehicles
Kia campaign SC015 · Owners notified November 13, 2000 · Vehicles built October 17, 1997 – May 16, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MANUFACTURING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE ORVR SPRING FORCE AND FLOAT WIRE LENGTH REDUCING THE VALVE ANGLE. CERTAIN VALVES CAUSED FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY.
Safety consequence
THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORVR VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2000. 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
KIA RECALL NO. SC015.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
KIA/ENGINE STALLING (C304/C305)
NHTSA #99V318000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported November 9, 1999 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 102,944 vehicles
Owners notified December 23, 1999 · Vehicles built September 3, 1997 – May 16, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.
Notes
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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
KIA/ENGINE STALLING (C304/C305)
NHTSA #99V317000 · Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump · NHTSA notice
Reported November 9, 1999 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 102,944 vehicles
Kia campaign SC013 · Owners notified December 23, 1999 · Vehicles built September 3, 1997 – May 16, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.
Notes
KIA RECALL NO. SC013.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 23, 1999.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.ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).
KIA/WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE
NHTSA #99V271000 · Visibility — Windshield Wiper/Washer — Linkages · NHTSA notice
Reported October 6, 1999 · KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Potentially affected: 90,054 vehicles
Kia campaign SCO12 · Owners notified November 19, 1999 · Vehicles built September 3, 1997 – January 29, 1999 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation
Defect description
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BALL SOCKET ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN THE LINK DISENGAGING FROM THE WIPER MOTOR DRIVE UNDER LOAD, SUCH AS PUSHING AGAINST ICE, SNOW OR OTHER RESISTANCE. ALSO THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUT COULD BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED ALLOWING THE WIPER ARM TO SLIP AND/OR STOP FUNCTIONING.
Safety consequence
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.
Notes
KIA RECALL NO. SC012.OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 19, 1999. 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 1-949-470-7000.ALSO 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 1998 Kia Sephia VIN
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