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1998 Kia Sephia recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 1998 Kia Sephia. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Kia been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. A Kia dealer can also check your VIN. Recall repairs are free.

1998 Kia Sephia recalls, newest first

August 16, 2002NHTSA 02V216000189,706 vehicles potentially affected

Seat belts › Front › Buckle assembly

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 29, 2002NHTSA 02V20700025,000 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch

Summary
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.
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.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

July 17, 2000NHTSA 00V175000100,137 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control

Summary
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.
Consequence
This would cause customers to add more fuel to the tank causing fuel spillback or spitback from the fuel filler neck.
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 9, 1999NHTSA 99V318000102,944 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Summary
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.
Consequence
This condition could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
This corrective action is being performed in conjunction with recall no. 99V317.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

November 9, 1999NHTSA 99V317000102,944 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Summary
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.
Consequence
This condition could cause the engine to stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the existing connectors and reposition those connectors to an area where the placement is designed to prevent contact with moisture.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

October 6, 1999NHTSA 99V27100090,054 vehicles potentially affected

Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages

Summary
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.
Consequence
This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the windshield wiper link and also properly tighten the wiper arm retaining nuts.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 491 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sephia with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
33
Fires reported
16
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Service brakes315
  2. Hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc76
  3. Hydraulic › Foundation components68
  4. Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline67
  5. Fuel system64

Other Kia Sephia years

Other 1998 Kia models

Most recalled 1998 vehicles

  1. 1998 Honda Accord (19 recalls)
  2. 1998 Ford F-150 (18 recalls)
  3. 1998 Honda Civic (18 recalls)
  4. 1998 Dodge Ram (17 recalls)
  5. 1998 Blue Bird TC2000 (17 recalls)
All of 1998’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 1998 Kia Sephia have any recalls?
6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: seat belts, exterior lighting, engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline, visibility. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 1998 Kia Sephia recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Kia dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 1998 Kia Sephia?
491 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.