1994 Kia Sephia recalls & problems

The 1994 Kia Sephia has 1 safety recall and 16 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (5 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints16filed by owners

Crashes · fires3 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Power train

NHTSA recall 94V134000 · Jul 25, 1994 · 6,945 vehicles

Problem: THE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER SENSOR CAN SEIZE, CAUSING THE SPEEDOMETER AND CRUISE CONTROL (IF THE CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL) TO STOP FUNCTIONING.

Risk: THE LOSS OF CRUISE CONTROL WILL CAUSE TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED. LOSS OF THE SPEEDOMETER WILL RESULT IN THE OPERATOR NOT KNOWING THE ACTUAL SPEED OF THE VEHICLE.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW SPEEDOMETER DRIVE GEAR, ELECTRONIC SENSOR, AND FLEXIBLE SHAFT ASSEMBLY.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

Sephia

26mpg combined

City / highway	23 / 30 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,600/year to fuel

Sephia

24mpg combined

City / highway	22 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

1.6 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $2,800/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission; Automatic transmission › Gear position indication (prndl)	5	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components; Foundation components › Disc › Rotor	5	0	—
Seat belts Front › Retractor; Front › Anchorage	4	0	—
Vehicle speed control Accelerator pedal	4	0	—
Engine and engine cooling Engine › Gasoline; Engine	3	0	—
Seats	1	1	—
Electrical system Alternator/generator/regulator	1	0	—
Steering	1	0	—
Air bags Frontal	1	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Sep 18, 2000 · crashAir bags › Frontal
VEHICLE WAS IN A N HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT 45 MPH, AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
Apr 1, 1995Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Disc › Rotor
THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE A THERMOMETER DIDN'T TELL THE ENGINE IT WAS HOT. WHICH BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS, MELTED THE SPARK PLUGS, TOOK OUT THE WATER PUMP, AND SO OVER HEATED THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE FRONT ROTORS WENT OUT TWICE. SOUNDS LIKE A WIND TUNNEL, SINCE THE SEALS AREN'T GOOD. THE CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. NEVER DRIVE IT DURING A 20 MPH WINDY DAY. IT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE - STILL AT 29 TO 33 MPG. *AK
Jan 2, 1999Power train
THE ELECTRONIC SPEEDOMETER SENSOR WAS REPLACED UNDER THE 1994 RECALL. CONSUMER SAYS THAT THE EXACT SAME PART HAS GONE BAD AGAIN IN EARLY JAN. 1999. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. 94V-134. *AK
Feb 1, 1999Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT.
Mar 11, 1998Steering
POOR STEERING FUNCTION AND UNABLE TO MONITOR SPEED, MILAGE OR USE CRUISE CONTROL.
Feb 1, 1997Electrical system › Alternator/generator/regulator
ALTERNATOR FAILED.
Sep 21, 1994Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Gasoline
ENGINE: WHEN DRIVING AND DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY DIES, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. *AK CONSUMER STATED SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ALSO THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.*JB
May 20, 1997Vehicle speed control
VEHICLE STALLS DUE TO FAILED IDLE SPEED CONTROL VALVE.

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.