Model Year Problem Record

Kia Sephia 1997 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 1997 Kia Sephia: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

205Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints

1Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls

1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations

54Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Brakes88

Engine45

Fuel and Propulsion System13

Vehicle Speed Control8

Latches, Locks and Linkages1

Wheels1

Seats1

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Brakes88 complaints

88 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine45 complaints

45 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train35 complaints

35 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags30 complaints

30 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure21 complaints

21 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other20 complaints

20 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts20 complaints

20 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 02V216000.

Visibility16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires7 complaints

7 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

02V216000Reported August 16, 2002 - 189,706 vehicles potentially affected

Seat Belts. Recall covering the seat belts system, reported to NHTSA on August 16, 2002. The campaign covers an estimated 189,706 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE02051Opened June 17, 2002 - Closed September 20, 2002

SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION. Resulted in recall campaign 02V216000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

19961

19978

199839

199950

200039

200125

200211

200316

20044

20056

20062

20074

How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.