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 1999 Kia Sephia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Filled tank & had overflowing spillage down side of car (indicated very full tank) finished cleaning up excess fuel & turn car on but the fuel gauge would only read 2/3 full, then needle rose to 3/4- I just got the car on Monday 11/7/16 & this has happened twice now, once when leaving la after buying/transferring title & again today. Decided to google the 'symptom' & I'm shocked that a 17-year-old car from 1999 had recall records but was never fixed!!! Previous owner(s) was older couple that had bought it from a dealership & owned it since 2004. The 17-year-old '99 Sephia has only 75K miles on odometer as of November 2016 however was never repaired under recall order.
Tl contact owns a 1999 Kia Sephia. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 99V317000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). He was not experiencing any failures at the time, but he took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the fuel pump connectors. In 2003 (three years later), the engine service light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle would sporadically stall at any speed. The vehicle also experienced a no start condition. He took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the fuel pump connector was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred in 2006. He took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the fuel pump connector was corroded again. …
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.
I have a 1999 Kia Sephia that was purchased used. After calling the Kia customer service number I was informed on the recall concerning the fuel tank . My personal problem with the fuel tank was the "spitting out" of fuel when attempting to fill up the gas tank. I took the car in to the columbus, ga Kia autosport where they fixed the recall issue and stated that I should no longer have the issue with gas running out when trying to fill the tank. After the recall was fixed, I went to put gas in my car and the issue still existed. After taking the car back I was told that the issue had been repaired twice and the manufactuerer would not allow them to repair again. I was also told different things to do when pumping fuel in order to keep the problem from happening. The issue still exists. …
The vehicle had numerous recalls and problems. When the consumer put fuel in the vehicle it leaked out. When it did hit she had to play around with it, until the nozzle was in the tank just right, then it would take the fuel. Also, the vehicle was had problems with the brakes, and rotors wearing out too quickly and the master cylinder was cracked and leaking brake fluid. The consumer had the vehicle in the repair shop at least 10 times and needed to be returned to the repair shop. The fuel tank problem had been worked on four times and still was not fixed. There were gear shift problems where the shifter would stick, multiple wiring console light problems, the wiper blade links were defective and caused the blade to come apart. Referenced in rq03-006
Brake pads and rotors have been replaced 4 times in less than 1year and at 30,335 miles right now, service department fights with us each time we bring car in. Car does not start up right away, it turns a few times before it finally does, took to service department 2 times, they are unable to diagnose problem. When driving at times when you step on gas car hesitates to go, almost like it is out of gas, but it is not. After 2mths. Of using airconditioner this summer, it completely stopped working, took to service department, diagnosed with leaky "o" rings, they repaired under warranty. Rear doors when opening hit the edge of closed front doors, service department said they needed new door stoppers, haven't got them yet.
I am well aware of ocassional problems with new vehicles , I feel that some one must rectify this situation , I would like very much to be a part of this . I have owned the car for 3 months and have had more than my share of problems with this car and attitudes from the dealership about having them fixed, I would like very much to be contacted by a representitive of NHTSA just to let me know that all my time was not wasted with this questionaire, hopefully you can do something to help me and my family and the many others I have talked to that are having these same problems with their Kia's sincerely , donald r lavallee
Right after I purchased vehicle, music system had to be replaced. Battery had to be replaced in less than a year.had to take it in for two recalls. Brakes sometimes squeak when you come to a stop. While traveling on the highway car will start to vibrate. The low fuel light comes on even though you May have over a half of tank of gas. Engine is racing to high. Notice in July/00 while driving car starts to jerk or plung forward for no apparent reason. Also when you apply your brakes it will do this. Recently I have taken car to the dealership about this problem, but they could not find anything wrong with it.
I have owned a 1999 -2000 Kia Sephia for almost two years now and it has caused me nothing but trouble, at the moment I have had a Kia dealership fix the fuel censors three times and this time we went to go get it checked cause the check engines light came on and all they did was turn the light off and say they would look at it new again when we went back they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it , all I know is that one day me or someone else driving me car is going to be in the middle of the road with a very dead car either hurt or have the potential to be hurt .
Consumer stated vechicle was defected when she purchased it on sep 11 1999 . Consumer took it back on sep 13 1999 because she has been having problems, such as transmission fluid leaking out from underneath her vechicle. Also, brakes not working properly when applying brakes. Pedals went allthe down to the floor. Also vechicle overheated. Also, front grill /windshield wipers and gas gauge had to b ereplaced, and I still don't work . At this time the consumer has registered a complaint with the lemon law. Her car is at the dealership waiting for a part.
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 1999 Kia Sephia?
NHTSA has 49 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 1999 Kia Sephia, 11% of the model year's 428 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 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 1999 Kia Sephia fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 14,000 miles, and 67% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 0 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.