Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1998 Kia Sephia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 NHTSA 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, [phone]) 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.
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. …
Tl 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 NHTSA 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.
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.
Brakes failed causing accident, they have been replaced 4 times also rotors fuel pump, transmission, glovebox,wiring harness, many other things too... Could have lost my 2 of my grandsons in the accident... Are we going to put up with this??? I can be reached at [email]
In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... Copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.
Consumer had recall 99V317000/ fuel pump connector fixed on January 3, 2000 . Vehicle started smoking under the hood & caught on fire. Manufacturer was suppose to investigate the matter, but consumer hasn't heard anything.
Tail light had to be replaced because of leaking, this is 4th time for brakes squeaking and pulsating, cow panel baffle needed replaced because of water pouring in behind glove box.people I don't know pull me over and complain about their Kia sephias and similar problems with them. Also the engine sometimes won't start the first time. It takes two or three times once in a while. It also sounds like the engine will jump right out of the car because it jerks so hard when starting. The gas tank has yet to let me fill it all the way. It gets almost full, then spits the gas out and won't let you "squeeze " it full. It's like there is no venting going on. I have heard similiar reports from other owners.
Break pads and rotors need to be replaced approximately every 3000 miles when car is taken in for oil change. I could not fill the gas tank completely when I first purchased the car because the automatic shut off. Gas tank and float valve were replaced after waiting a month for the parts. Check engine light would stay on and o/d off light would flash, called dealer and had to wait a week for appointment. Dealer stated new coupling was needed. Waited month for part. When I went to pick up car, dealer stated it need a new transmission instead. I waited two weeks for parts. Now car is at dealership again because it will not start. Lights, horn, radio, etc. Still operate
I bought this car used w/42K miles. I have had the same problem with the tps since 2months after I bought it. I have had it in the Kia repair shop 8 times and have spent over $1500.00 in repairs, towing and rental cars. I have had it towed 3 times. It has had a new computer, new sensors, new distribution center and new circuit connectors installed, in addition to all of the fuel related safety recall parts. I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy. Kia consumer assistance is clueless---this make and model should have been recalled completely! I am in the process of filing lemon law and am completely disgusted with this car, as well as the company.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the existing connectors and reposition those connectors to an area where the placement is designed to prevent contact with moisture.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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.
Remedy: This corrective action is being performed in conjunction with recall no. 99V317.
NHTSA investigations
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…
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Sephia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 1998 Kia Sephia?
NHTSA has 62 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1998 Kia Sephia, 13% of the model year's 491 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (20 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 99V-317 (fuel pump, Nov 9, 1999); NHTSA recall 99V-318 (fuel pump, Nov 9, 1999). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 84,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 2 fires and 5 injuries to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.