1997 Kia Sephia: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 1997 Kia Sephia: 1 recall, 205 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #02V216000 · 2002 · 189,706 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle May "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
Why it matters: In the event of a crash, the seat occupant May not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Owner notification began December 20, 2002.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 5 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (72): the most common themes are noise or vibration (18), brake failure / soft pedal (11).
- Engine & cooling (44): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (18), electrical failure (7), leaks (6).
- Electrical (31): the most common themes are electrical failure (11), stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (4).
- Airbags (30): the most common themes are fails to deploy (18), warning light on (3).
The 1997 Kia Sephia has 205 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 10 Sephia model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 170). Complaints peaked in 1999 (51 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 69,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1996 (118 complaints, 1 recalls), 1998 (491 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 24 | 31 | 27 | Regular |
| 1.6 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 27 | 23 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 1997 Kia Sephia.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 1997 Kia Sephia. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 1997 Kia Sephia problems?
Owners have filed 205 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (72), engine & cooling (44), electrical (31).
What gas mileage does the 1997 Kia Sephia get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (1.6 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 1997 Kia Sephia repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.