- The problem
- On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
- The risk
- 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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Vehicle safety record
1995 Kia Sephia Problems, complaints & recalls
Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 1995 Kia Sephia with NHTSA, most often about the brakes (13) and the transmission & drivetrain (13). Those complaints describe 13 crashes, 1 fire and 15 injuries. It is covered by 1 recall, the latest in August 2002 for the buckle assembly. For comparison, the 1994 has 16 and the 1996 has 118.
NHTSA data checked
BFewer problems than a typical Sephia year, for its age
#91 most complained-about 1995 vehicle
- Complaints
- 68
- Recalls
- 1
- Crashes
- 13
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 15
- Deaths
- 0
Most common 1995 Kia Sephia problems
Share of all 68 complaints. One complaint can name more than one area. Tap an area for its complaints and recalls.
1995 Kia Sephia recalls 1
Recall repairs are free. Your dealer fixes them whether or not you bought the car there - check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if yours is done. What to do
What owners say
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68 complaints about the 1995 Kia Sephia
Newest first, as filed with NHTSA by owners. Page 1 of 3.
Tl*the contact owns a 1995 kia sephia. After receiving an oil and filter change, the vehicle suddenly caught fire under the hood while driving 10 mph. The contact exited the vehicle and called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The fire department stated that the fire originated in the engine compartment, but the heat source was not determined. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer had been notified. The current and failure mileages were 125,479. Updated 05/19/08 *bf updated 05/19/08
Dashboard is rolling back from the windshield on both driver and passenger sid eof the car. Unable to secure the dashboard.*Ak
The dash has several discolored brown.. Looking like burnt spots on it and has completeley come unglued neareast the windshield. The defrosters are rendered useless by this. I complained to a kia dealer and he said I could have a new one put on. But only completely at my expense.*Ak
Recall campaign on seat belt buckle. *Ts requesting information associated with the recall campaign #(02v-216) of seat belt buckle assemblies 1995-98 kia sephis and sportage vehicles.
Technical defect in manufacturing. Mr the consumer stated ever since the vehicle was purchased the vehicle made all kinds of noises. *Jb
The dashboard curled and lifted from its original position as a result of exposure to direct sunlight. *Nlm *nlm
Consumer noticed that the dashboard is falling apart, the glue, bolts and plastic cover are all coming apart. Nlm *yh
Driver was not wearing lap portion of safety restraint system. Forces through roll over collision sequence caused mounting bracket for passive restraint latch to fail. For further information, contact officer sedam, chp mait, 559-444-2538, report cl-026-02. *Ak
Dashboard is starting to roll back away from windshield towards the driver. If standing in front of this vehicle one can see into the control panel. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
Gear shift lever came off in consumers hand as she was shifting from second to first gear, upon examination of the lever, it literally snapped in the middle of the metal, consumer believes the metal used was faulty, consumer request reimbursement. Nlm
There are brown spots, in an otherwise navy blue colored dash, that appear to be burned areas. Also, the part of the dash connected closest to the wind shield has become completely unglued. Upon contacting the manufacturer, we were told that they would pay for the dash itself but we would have to pay for the labor. Since our warrantee had expired, we thought that was pretty fair until we were informed we could only have it repaired at the dealership (who charges $80/hour). Our regular auto body specialist would...
Read the full complaint
charge us half of that amount, and that would include actually paying for the dash. The manufacturer agreed to let us take the free dash outside the dealership for repair. Then when we asked for that agreement in writing, they claimed they had never agreed to allow that. We asked them to review their "quality assurance" tapes. We were then told that even if the tapes proved the conversation occured as we said, we still could not take the dash anywhere other than the dealership. We did not even buy the car from the dealership. By offering to give us a replacement dash free of charge, they were admitting that it was a defect. Of all the people that we showed the dash to, not one person had ever seen anything like it in their lives. We feel that we were deceived by the manufacturer.
Radiator has overheated and cracked, causing fluid to leak into the engine compartment, damaging the engine. Consumer has contacted dealer. Please provide any further details.*Ak
Consumer didn't know that horn never worked when vehicle was purchased. Consumer was able to avoid an accident after realizing it didn't work. Dealer replaced it once before. Horn still has a problem. *Ak
Vehicle lost control, and then rolled over a couple times, and air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. *Ak
Several problems with door latch, dash, interior lighting and driver seat. *Ak
When brakes were applied pedal went to the floor, resulting in extended stopping distance, causing a collision. Dealer has replaced the brakes several times prior to the collision. *Ak
Driver was involved in 4 car collision where there was frontal and rear impact, dual airbags did not deploy, and seatbelts unlatched by themselves, causing serious injuries. Vehicle is a total loss. *Ak
The original clutch was replaced at 20000 miles, then the original transmission was replaced at 60000 miles. Now at 72500 miles both the clutch and transmission are being replaced again, after a total failure.
Brakes would squeal. Had trouble stopping/ear windshield keeps popping out bent frame, and transmission has been replaced twice because shaft is crooked.Consumer contacted dealer. *Ak
When driving at any speed, the shift pattern indicator which is sitting on the tail pipe keeps loosening. *Ak
When driving at an high speed and when slowing down the vehicle shuts down completely. While at high speeds it starts to stall and will also shut off at an high speed. Dealer has been contacted. *Ak
The cv joints replaced twice by the dealer and now they need to be replaced again, front axle failed.* Et
Seat belt retractor failed causing it to be either too tight or not to retract properly.
The engine check light remains illuminated, indicating malfunction within the system. Cause unknown. Please give any further details. *Ak
Dashboard separating on driver's side. Driver's view is obscured. Took to dealer & informed to call "800" number in owner's manual. *Ak
Kia Sephia: every year compared
All Sephia years1995 Kia Sephia vs rivals
| Vehicle | Complaints | Recalls | Grade | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 Kia Sephia | 68 | 1 | B | |
| 1995 Kia Sportage | 56 | 2 | A | Compare |
More sales usually means more complaints, so compare similar vehicles of the same year. The grade compares each vehicle with its own model's other years.
Questions about the 1995 Kia Sephia
Does the 1995 Kia Sephia have any recalls?
Yes - NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 1995 Kia Sephia: buckle assembly (August 2002). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours has been fixed.
What are the most common problems with the 1995 Kia Sephia?
By the complaints owners filed with NHTSA, the most common problem areas are the brakes (13), transmission & drivetrain (13), seats & seat belts (11).
How many complaints has the 1995 Kia Sephia had?
68 complaints have been filed with NHTSA, the first on March 23, 1995 and the latest on April 24, 2008. Of these, 13 describe a crash and 1 a fire, and together they report 15 injuries and 0 deaths.
Is the 1995 Kia Sephia a reliable vehicle?
Its Safety Index is 64 out of 100 (grade B: fewer problems than a typical Kia Sephia year, for its age). The index weighs complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and recalls against how long the vehicle has been on the road, compared with the same model's other years. It is not a measure of every repair - read the complaints and owner experiences, and have any used vehicle inspected before you buy.
Which Kia Sephia years have the most complaints?
1998 (491), 1999 (428), 2000 (266). See every Kia Sephia year compared.
What should I do if my 1995 Kia Sephia has a problem?
If it is a safety problem, stop driving it if it is unsafe and contact your dealer. Report it to NHTSA at nhtsa.gov/report-a-safety-problem - enough reports start investigations and recalls - and share your experience here so other owners know what to look for.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data