1998 Kia Sephia electrical system problems
104 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the electrical system on the 1998 Kia Sephia — 21% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“I brought a new kia sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while…”
filed Jul 18, 2007
“Tl*- the contact stated that when trying to merge into traffic with the 1998 kia sophia it stalled. When this happened instrument panel lights turned on. The vehicle stalled in heavy traffic, and she had to put the vehicle in park and restart it. The contact stated that the vehicle's current…”
filed Mar 29, 2007
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Charging system upgrade. *tt
017 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Sep 1, 2004Battery cable chafing inspection, repair and replacement. Revised technical service bulletin. *tt
035R · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Jan 1, 2004Battery cable chafing inspection, repair and replacement. Technical service bulletin, letters to service managers and dealers and owners. *tt
035 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Dec 1, 2003
Electrical System problems in other Sephia years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 Sephia | 15 | 14% |
| 2000 Sephia | 45 | 17% |
| 1999 Sephia | 63 | 15% |
| 1997 Sephia | 31 | 15% |
| 1996 Sephia | 19 | 16% |
| 1995 Sephia | 4 | 6% |
Other reported problem areas on the 1998 Kia Sephia
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.