1998 KIA Sephia Power Train Problems
Owners have filed 68 complaints with NHTSA about power train problems on the 1998 KIA Sephia, 14% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 42,000 miles.
- 68power train complaints
- 42,000median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 18%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
At what mileage do power train problems happen?
Based on 5 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 68 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 2 an injury.
KIA Sephia power train complaints by model year
| Model year | Power Train complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 Sephia | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2001 Sephia | 18 | 17% | 17,000 |
| 2000 Sephia | 50 | 19% | 30,000 |
| 1999 Sephia | 71 | 17% | 31,000 |
| 1998 Sephia | 68 | 14% | 42,000 |
| 1997 Sephia | 30 | 15% | 56,450 |
| 1996 Sephia | 13 | 11% | — |
| 1995 Sephia | 12 | 19% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists power train for the 1998 KIA Sephia. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
I brought a new kia sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while…
While shifting transmission down shifted on its own, and the shift lock system failed. Consumer was unable to unlock the shift lever in order to move the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. *ak
I bought a 1998 kia sephia from toyota carlsbad 2 years ago in may, 2001 that i paid cash for. Right after i bought the kia sephia the check engine light came on. I took it back to toyota carlsbad and they told me that i didn't put the gas cap back on correctly. August, 2002 the check engine light…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 1998 KIA Sephias have power train problems?
No. NHTSA has 68 owner complaints about power train for the 1998 KIA Sephia (14% of the 491 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 1998 KIA Sephia power train?
No recall currently lists power train for this vehicle.
At what mileage do power train problems start?
The median reported mileage is 42,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
Other 1998 KIA Sephia problems
See all 1998 KIA Sephia problems or power train problems across all Sephia years.