1996 KIA SEPHIA — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

N/A

Safety Rating

203

Owner Complaints

10 Crashes 5 Fires 1 Death

1

Recall

ACTIVE RECALL

1

Service Bulletin

0

Investigations

Overview of the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

The 1996 KIA SEPHIA has received a total of 203 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There has been 1 recall campaign affecting this vehicle, covering issues with SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY. 1 technical service bulletin have been issued by Kia America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Unknown Or Other (18 complaints), Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline (12 complaints), and Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip (12 complaints).

Recalls for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

NHTSA has recorded 1 recall for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA, potentially affecting up to 189,706 vehicles.

Recall 02V216000 — SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY

| 189,706 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.

Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

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.

View full details →

Owner Complaints for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

203 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 18
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 12 1 Fire
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 12 3 Crashes 5 Injuries 1 Death
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 9 4 Crashes 5 Injuries
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Components
Complaints: 9
Seat Beltsfrontbuckle Assembly
Complaints: 7
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscpads
Complaints: 7 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdiscrotor
Complaints: 7 1 Crash
Structure
Complaints: 7
Electrical Systemwiringinteriorunder Dash
Complaints: 6 1 Fire
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 6
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 5
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisc
Complaints: 5
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 4 2 Fires
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4
Seat Beltsfrontanchorage
Complaints: 4 2 Injuries
Interior Lighting
Complaints: 3
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 3
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 3
Structurebodydoor
Complaints: 3
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 3
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 3
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 3 5 Injuries
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac System
Complaints: 3
Air Bags
Complaints: 2
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 2
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 2
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 2
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfront
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 2
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdisccaliper
Complaints: 2
Steering Steering Wheelhandle Bar
Complaints: 2
Electrical System
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionmodule
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring Rear Compartmenttrunk
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingexhaust Systemmanifoldheadermufflertail Pipe
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightshighlow Beam Dimmer Switch
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingheadlightsswitch
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinedeliveryhoses Linespiping And Fittings
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection System
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinefuel Injection Systemfuel Rail
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 1
Latcheslockslinkageshoodlatch
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanical
Complaints: 1
Parking Brakeconventionalmechanicallinkage And Cable
Complaints: 1
Power Trainaxle Assembly
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelineconstant Velocity Joint
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Power Trainmanual Transmissionshift Pattern Indicator
Complaints: 1
Seat Belts
Complaints: 1
Seat Beltsrearother
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airdiscrotor
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicfoundation Componentsdrumshoeslinings
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpedals And Linkages
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assist
Complaints: 1
Steeringhydraulic Power Assist System
Complaints: 1
Structurebodybumpers
Complaints: 1
Suspension
Complaints: 1
Tires
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlaccelerator Pedal
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controllinkages
Complaints: 1
Visibilitydefrosterdefoggerhvac Systemheater Core
Complaints: 1
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasherswitchwiring
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#10139038 | VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | | N/A miles
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2003 THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER . IT DID NOT DEFOG THE WINDOW, IT WILL WORK SOMEWHAT BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. CAN SEE THE INSIDE DASHBOARD WHERE WIRING AND FOAM WAS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE DECEMBER 2003. CONSUMER HAD TRIED TO PUSH THE DASHBOARD DOWN WITH HER HANDS, BUT THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD A DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK
#10102903 | STRUCTURE | | 56,000 miles
I PURCHASED A 1996 KIA SEPHIA AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLAM AS ALOT OF OTHER OWNERS. THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING AND PEELING AWAY FROM THE FRAME.*AK
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
#10067593 | STRUCTURE | | 66,000 miles
IT IS UNBELIEVEABLE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS FOR KIA VEHICLES. I OWN A KIA SEPHIA AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE DASHBOARD CRACKS AND PEELS OFF. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MODELS AND IT FACES THE SAME PROBLEMS. MATTER OF FACT I VISITED KIA DEALERSHIPS AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THIS ITEMS. THE DEALERSHIPS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THAT SAME ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUES. *AK
#10067482 | STRUCTURE | | 20,000 miles
DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK

View all Unknown Or Other complaints →

Safety Rating for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

NHTSA has not yet tested the 1996 KIA SEPHIA in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

Kia America, Inc. has issued 1 technical service bulletin (TSBs) for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

003 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

THIS TECHINICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE NEW SEPHIA REMANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROGRAM. *TT

NHTSA Investigations for the 1996 KIA SEPHIA

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the KIA SEPHIA

View all KIA SEPHIA model years →

Other KIA Models

View all KIA models →

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report