Vehicle recall 99V271000 · October 6, 1999
1998-1999 Kia Sephia
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles.
Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.
- 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.
- 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).
Recall details
- NHTSA campaign
- 99V271000
- Reported to NHTSA
- October 6, 1999
- Filed by
- KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
- Manufacturer campaign
- SCO12
- Owner notification
- November 19, 1999
- Vehicles potentially affected
- 90,054
- Initiated by
- NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation
- Components
- Visibility › Windshield wiper/washer › Linkages
Vehicles covered
As listed by NHTSA. A recall usually covers only some vehicles of each model and year, often a production date range.
- Kia Sephia (1998-1999): 1999, 1998
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.