Dt: the contact owned a 1997 kia sephia. Contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 MPH . Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy.there were three occupants in the car all wearing seat belts. The rear passenger side seat belt broke . The air bag warning light had not been on in this vehicle nor was it on after the crash. One person sustained injuries because of the seat belt. She broke two ribs.
1997 Kia Sephia seat belts problems
20 complaints (10% of all complaints for this car). 7 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 20
- of this car's complaints
- 10%
- crashes
- 7
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Front: buckle assembly8
- Rear/other3
- Front: anchorage3
- Front: webbing2
- Front: retractor2
- Front1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Kia Sephia seat belts problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1997 Kia Sephia seat belts
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
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
Related 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
What 1997 Kia Sephia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Both of the rear seat belts will not reatract back to normal position, which is preventing the rear passengers from being safe if the vehicle were to be involved in an accident. Manufacturer has been contacted by consumer.
Consumer was driving was involved in a collision head on . Seat belt broke, throwing the consumer threw the driver's windshield. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. *ak consumer is in a coma.
Problems with seat belts and dashboard. *mr *sc
Driver's safety belt does not stay buckled. Belt will release from buckle without pulling. Consumer is very concerned about being properly restrained while driving.
Seat belt on drivers side will come unbuckled while driving. Seat belt will not lock into anchor.
My doughter rear ended another vehicle at 40-45 MPH. The dual airbags did not deploy and the seat belts did not lock up, allowing the driver's and a passengers head to hit the windshield. Driver and one passenger sustained a concussion, face lacerations, head neck and back injuries. The driver also received a hand and pelvic injury. The 2nd passenger sustained neck back and leg injuries. The damage to the front was so bad it pushed the dash back. The vehicle was totaled!
Vehicle was involved in an accident with a speed of 40 MPH, the air bags did not deploy and the seat belts did not lock, the vehicle was totalled, the police report states that there were no injuries, consumer states that the air bag sensor had been replaced the day before the accident.
A passenger's side impact, the seatbelt lock broke apart on while I was wearing it. It wasn't smashed apart, it just broke the entire lock in about 4 pieces. Previously I had problems with the passenger side seatbelt staying locked and the one backseat lock wouldn't work, since there was no recall on those, they wouldn't fix it. I recieved multiple cuts and bruises, a few stitches and a broken kneck in two places in my cervical spine. You always want to wear your seatbelt in case an accident happens. Mine happened on my way to work, but what good did it do wearing it, since the seatbelt lock came apart?
Rear shoulder restraint began to tighten up on a 5-year old child, to the point the child was being choked. Belt had to be cut to remove. The dealer has been contacted.
Questions about the 1997 Kia Sephia seat belts
Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have seat belts problems?
Owners have filed 20 complaints about the seat belts of the 1997 Kia Sephia, 10% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Kia Sephia seat belts problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Kia Sephia seat belts?
Yes, 1 recall: 02V216000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sephia have the most seat belts problems?
The Kia Sephia model years with the most seat belts complaints are 1997 (20 complaints), 2000 (17 complaints) and 1996 (15 complaints).
Other 1997 Kia Sephia problems
Brakes 75Engine 44Electrical 31Airbags 30Transmission 30Body 19Visibility 14Fuel system 12Acceleration 8Steering 7Tires 7Lights 4Suspension 4Locks 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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