Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Kia Sephia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
This car has been a constant repair and financial problem for the last 4 years starting two weeks after I purchased the car. It is an unsafe vehicle and can not be kept maintained for safety or reliability it was purchased with 21000 miles on the vehicle and a majority of repairs has had to be fixed. 4 starters, ignition switch, ignition switch wiring harness (ignition still doesn't work), air bag sensor, air bag wiring (air bags still does not work), alternator, front passenger side drive axel broke while I was driving the car, right passenger ball joint fell off the car while I was driving the car, master cylinder and rear brake cylinder went out at the same time while I was driving the car, heater/air conditioning motor. The car has been towed 3 times, and has left me and my children stranded too many times to count. The car is still in need of major repair. …
Tl contact owns a 1999 Kia Sephia. Shortly after the vehicle was purchased, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. One month later, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to sputter and eventually shut off. Prior to shutting off, the vehicle lost power steering ability and the contact struck a curb. The cv axle joint was damaged. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 147,000 and failure mileage was 140,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Kia Sephia. While driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled and all the warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was able to restart. The failure recurred seven times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 162,000.
1) air conditioner hoses defective and will not hold charge 2) car rattles and makes noise coming from trunk area, taken to dealer repeatedly without any idea of how to remedy the problem 3) car would loose power without warning and at dangerous times, took to dealer 3 times before the car failed completely and they were finally able to fix the problem 4) rear drivers side window sticks and rattles, taken to dealer un-repairable 5) rear door look does not work, taken to dealer repaired but now it doesn't work yet again 6) engine light on, told by dealer the gas cap wasn't tight enough 7) power locks open and close at intervals while driving the car 8) engine light blinking, no idea what problem is this time contacted Kia and asked to speak to field representative and was told that Kia could do nothing to assist owner in fixing owner. …
This 3rd time engine lights, I went to Kia dealer, got it fix and got proof if you help solve this problem. If you look at my receipts you believe how many times I went back for this car. The car has been stalling and starting funny. This car is not running properly. The first time with car would stalling wouldn't go up hill and the engine light come on. The second time car stalled again and caught on fire and went up in smoke. The mechanic said it was the wiring need to be replaced and that the car was running on one vaul. That everything in that section has been burn. And after that the car wouldn't start or say a word. And I was in the middle of the street when it happen. How can 1999 be so much trouble. The third time engine light comes on again. What is it this time. Please this car is harzard it been trouble that day I brought it. Please contact me or fax or email. …
While driving at approximately 25 MPH, an electrical fire started in steering column and flames were coming from underneath the hood. Consumer was unable to turn engine off by turning the key in the ignition. Insurance company is in possession of vehicle, but has not informed consumer as to what caused the fire to occur. Consumer was unable to turn engine off, but was able to jump out of vehicle while moving, three recalls were performed on this vehicle and consumer believes that recall should have been performed prior to purchase, consumer also complains that the vehicle is noisy, exhibits hard start condition, sluggish acceleration, and inoperative fuel gauge.
While traveling and without any indication transmission hose bursted, causing transmission fluid to leak and spray on wires resulting in a fire. Dealer did not replace wiring, but instead applied electrical tape over burnt wires and casings, consumer was advised by personal mechanic that transmission fluid is not flammable, therefore could not have been the cause of the fire, consumer has a lawyer to investigate, possible engine failure.
Repeated problem with battery. Replaced 3 times. Never liked to start, always shimmied.returned to dealer for tune up. Car was returned with more problems that turned in with. Car wouldn't keep a constant gas flow. Traded it in and the dealer said the motor was bad and headed for a total break down. When it died - it was three years old with 60,000 miles.
There was an ongoing / intermittent problem with the vehicle stalling while taking off from a stop position or while driving 25 MPH or more. The vehicle hesitated before it stalled. The vehicle had been to the dealer three times and they were unable to correct/ duplicate the problem. Please provide any further information concerning this issue.
Recall 99V318 000/engine stalling: recall notice received and taken to dealer for repairs. Repairs were done. Vehicle was taken back on several occasions, and problem still occurring. Also vehicle was involved in an accident because of this defect. Asking NHTSA help in this matter.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling › Exhaust system › Emission control
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Manufacturing changes were made to the orvr spring force and float wire length reducing the valve angle. Certain valves caused fuel shut off before the tank reached 95% of nominal capacity.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the orvr valve. Owner notification began November 13, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a…
Engine complaints in other Sephia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 1999 Kia Sephia?
NHTSA has 89 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 1999 Kia Sephia, 21% of the model year's 428 complaints. The component named most often is engine › gasoline (67 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Kia Sephia engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 00V-175 (emission control, Jul 17, 2000). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Kia Sephia engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 22% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 23 fires and 1 injury to engine & cooling 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.