Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact associated the failure with the federal safety agency campaign number: 99v317000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle had been serviced for the recall in 1999. The contact took the vehicle to hanson kia (2300 carriage loop sw, olympia, wa 98502, (360) 943-2120) and was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.
1998 Kia Sephia fuel system problems
62 complaints (13% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 83,500. 5 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 62
- of this car's complaints
- 13%
- typical mileage
- 83,500
- crashes
- 5
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Delivery: fuel pump20
- Storage: tank assembly18
- Fuel injection system4
- Delivery3
- Storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap2
- Delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings2
- Storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1
- Storage: fuel gauge system1
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 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V317000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 99V318000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Refueling spit back
Based on the low rate of fuel spit-back incedents (14.3 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold), a low warranty claims rate of 0.02 percent, and the lack of engineering information that would support the presence of an engineering defect, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.for additional information, see the attached closing report.
EA04004
Refueling spit back
In june 2000, kia notified odi of a defect condition in approximately 100,000 my 1998-99 sephia passenger vehicles manufactured from october 17, 1997 to may 16, 1999, that could result in fuel spit back while refueling (ea99-034, recall 00v‑175).according to kia, manufacturing changes made to the onboard refueling vapor recovery (orvr) valve could cause fuel shut off before the tank reached 95% of nominal capacity during refueling.kia stated that if the consumer then attempted to add more fuel to the tank, fuel spillback or spitback from the fuel filler neck could occur.kia replaced the orvr valves in the recalled vehicles.odi has received 16 complaints of fuel spit back on vehicles that have received the recall and 5 complaints on vehicles that were not covered by the recall.kia has identified 2 fuel spit back complaints on vehicles that were recalled and 8 complaints on vehicles not covered by the original recall.kia has also provided warranty information showing 191 claims potentially related to fuel spitback on non-recalled vehicles. Odi has upgraded its investigation to an engineering analysis to further assess the scope, frequency, and trend of the fuel spitback risk associated with the alleged defect in the subject vehicles.
RQ03006
What 1998 Kia Sephia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Tl*the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. The contact noticed that his vehicle would periodically fail to start. On one occasion, the vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic changed the fuel pump. A few weeks later, the failure recurred. The mechanic changed the fuel pump relay, but the failure still occurred. The mechanic referenced the federal safety agency campaign id numbers 99v317000 and 99v318000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) and showed the contact a wire in the fuel system that was not insulated and had been overheating. Once the wire was removed, the failure seem to be resolved. The mechanic replaced all the wires and connectors and re-sautered everything. The manufacturer stated that the recall repair was already performed on the vehicle and would not assist. The current mileage was approximately 109,250 and failure mileage was 108,083.
Flashing overdrive dash light and check engine light continually lit due to faulty pressure sensor at fuel injector.
Problems with vehicle's fuel gauge as well as vehicle holding fuel.*la
I purchased a kia in march 02' I used the car for long trips the first year I had owned the car and I had no faults in jan.- feb 03' the car began to shift in to numerous gears and then stall. I was then deployed to iraq. I left the car with a good friend. When I came back he informed me that the car wouldn't start. Dealer said it was the fuel pump. Friend replaced the fuel pump.friend then replaced fuel pump again when car wouldn't start. Friend left the car alone,when it didn't start, until I had returned from iraq. I came back and took the car to midas, due to the fact that the dealer didn't have an idea of what was going on. Midas then said it was the fuel pump. I had it replaced for a third time. Car ran for a day then died. I took the car back to midas they said it was the wiring harness. I had that replaced. Car still didn't start. So midas said three weeks later they said it was the fuel module. The car then worked for about a month then wouldn't start. Took car to several shops all said it was the pump. I then had a mechanic from my unit check it out. He said it was within the wiring to the fuel pump still hasn't figured it out. Since then I have found that it has a faulty connection with the connecting cables near the fuel pump under the back seat. The connectors have been miss firing and has burnt a hole in my back seat. I've tried to go to the dealer but they insist on doing a dianostic and charge me $60.00 just to tell me the same thing that I already know. They also said they can't order the part until a dianostic was done. I've also had numerous problems with the fuel tank over filling and not reading full on the gauge. I have also had to replace the brakes four times in 18 months.the power steering also goes out quite frequently. I have also had a serious problem with the alignment of the car. I understand that wear and tear occurs on a vehicle but the problems that I have had with this car is not normal wear and tear. Iam dissaponted in kia
I paid to have this problem fixed but I probably shouldn't have had to. When refueling my 1998 kia sephia, there was a small amount of gasoline that would spill on the ground under the fuel tank--whether I completely fill the vehicle or simply put a gallon or two in the tank. I could not put my car in the garage at night because I was afraid that the gas water heater would cause an explosion--the lingering fumes would exist for a day or two after each visit to the gas pump.
The battery had blown up and spewed liquid/acid. The consumer had received two recalls prior to the incident, one in re: gas valve and the other was electrical. The dealer continues to postpone the dates for repair. (recall# 102944) scc
Consumer states that while driving and without warning the fuel tank crack causing fluid to link out. Dealer notified ts
Fuel tank will only fill up 95% of fuel capacity. A recall 00v175000 dealt with same problem. But, this vehicle was not included. Please provide any further information.
The left rear tail light is out, dealer replaced bulb.
Questions about the 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system
Does the 1998 Kia Sephia have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 62 complaints about the fuel system of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 13% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 83,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 99V317000, 99V318000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Kia Sephia have the most fuel system problems?
The Kia Sephia model years with the most fuel system complaints are 1998 (62 complaints), 1999 (49 complaints) and 2000 (15 complaints).
Other 1998 Kia Sephia problems
Brakes 256Engine 108Electrical 105Transmission 68Visibility 44Airbags 31Lights 28Body 26Steering 24Suspension 23Acceleration 6Seat belts 6Locks 5Tires 5Seats 3Wheels 3
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