The dashboard is warped/coming up and has bent/ruined the defrost/defogger system. It happened all on it's own, we did nothing to provoke this. I am the original owner and the car has never been in a wreck. I am concerned if it has caused airbag damage. It is a hazard not to be able to defrost/defog windows. Also the tailpipe keeps getting holes in it and we have to keep getting welding done on it.
The worst 1997 Kia Sephia problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Brakes75
- Engine44
- Electrical31
- Airbags30
- Transmission30
- Seat belts20
- Body19
- Visibility14
- Fuel system12
- Acceleration8
- Steering7
- Tires7
- Lights4
- Suspension4
- Locks1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Kia Sephia
Stalling 27No deployment 15Check engine light 11Seat belt 7Premature wear 6Brake failure 5Grinding brakes 5Transmission failure 5Won't start 5
Recalls 1
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 02V216000 · Recall details
See all 1 recalls for the 1997 Kia Sephia
Defect investigations
Safety belt buckle malfunction
By letter dated august 25, 2002, kia advised the federal safety agency that the subject vehicles will be recalled.specific corrective action to be taken by kia has not been reported to the federal safety agency at this time.the safety recall program has been assigned campaign no. 02v‑216.
PE02051
Technical service bulletins for the 1997 Kia Sephia 13
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Information for headlamp condensation and moisture
- Pitstop - engine component re-use guidelines
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Mandatory replacement of locking/security hardware
- Automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating to the...
- Kia: all models. article provides information relating to the improved durability of bulb life for rear...
- Recall campaign 027 to replace front seat belt buckles. notification letter to dealers. tt
- This bulletin provided information related to recall campaign 027 to replace the front seat belt buckles. tt
- This techinical service bulletin outlines the new sephia remanufactured automatic transmission program. tt
- Recall campagin on evaporative fuel vapor hose replacement for vehicles equipped with 1.8 liter bpd...
1997 Kia Sephia fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21-24 | 28-31 | 24-27 |
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 21 | 27-29 | 23-24 |
What 1997 Kia Sephia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Dashboard warped and coming up and touching windshield. It is breaking or blocking the vent/defroster/defogger system. Therefore the windows barely defrost and this is a safety hazard. I know of two other people having the same problem with the dashboard. Also "door open" light remains on and drains battery.
Tl*the contact owns a 1997 kia sephia. The contact stated that the air bag light on the instrument panel remains illuminated. He does not know if the air bags are working properly. The dealer stated that there was nothing they could do, especially since his vehicle is not under warranty. The cost would be $750 to have the sensor repaired. The dealer also stated that they are aware of the numerous amounts of complaints, but it is not a safety issue. The current mileage is 18,355 and failure mileage was 300. Updated 09/05/07.
Airbag failed to deploy during a front end crash. Injuries included head,neck and back .the car was totaled.
Dt*: the contact stated while traveling various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was restarted and the dealership was unable to determine the problem.
I noticed a clunking sound in my front end of my 1997 kia sephia. This car only has 49,000 miles on it. I took it in to the dealer and was told I needed new axle shafts on both sides. The dealer informed me he would have to order the parts overnight and that he did not want me to pick up the vehicle until it was fixed because it was not safe to drive. The axle shafts are crumbling and he has no explanation as to why. He said you don't see that in kia vehicles. Thankfully there was no accident but had I waited the consequences could have been devastating. My car is currently at the dealer for repairs, and I have asked them to hold on to the axle shafts when they are removed.
Dt: 1997 kia sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed. *ak *jb
Dt: consumer's vehicle was hit by another car on august 15, 2005, and the airbags failed to deploy. Were still unsure of the extend of the injuries to the consumer. A police report was taken. The manufacturer was unhelpful to the consumer. They told the consumer that the airbags should not have deployed under these circumstances. Although other information they sent her said that the air bags should have deployed.
Dt: consumer owns 1997 kia sephia. She had a problem with the dashboard. The vents for the defroster fell off, and the dashboard was brown, which began as a small spot and grew to cover the whole dashboard. She was concerned that the dashboard falling apart might somehow affect the airbags. She says that there is a burning smell coming from dash, smell has been there since she purchased vehicle. She did purchase vehicle new.
I have a 1997 kia sephia rs and I have replaced the alternator belt 11 times and 4 of those have been in the last 3 months. I am unable to get any answers about why the belt keeps breaking from any repair shop, other than it must be a sizing defect by kia. This last belt was replaced 6/05 and broke off again 8/17/05. I can only seem to get about 1-3 month use from a belt. I checked with the previous owner of the car, which I knew and she indicates that she had the same problems. I now have spoken to another kia sephia rs owner same year and they got rid of theirs for that very reason.
Compare the 1997 Kia Sephia
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Questions about the 1997 Kia Sephia
Is the 1997 Kia Sephia reliable?
Owners have filed 205 complaints about the 1997 Kia Sephia, 34.2 times a typical Sephia model year.
What is the most common problem with the 1997 Kia Sephia?
Brakes, with 75 complaints. Next is engine (44).
How many recalls does the 1997 Kia Sephia have?
1 recall, covering seat belts.
What year does the Kia Sephia have bad brakes?
The Kia Sephia model years with the most brakes complaints are 1998 (256 complaints), 1999 (173 complaints) and 2000 (85 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Kia Sephia get?
Official estimates for the 1997 Kia Sephia range from 23 to 27 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.6L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21-24 city and 28-31 highway.
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