1997 Kia Sephia engine problems
The 1997 Kia Sephia has 47 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 13% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.
47
Engine complaints
13%
Share of year
7
Crash-involved
0
Related recalls
Engine complaints by year
What owners report
“PERSISTANT OIL LEAK FROM AROUND OIL FILTER. MECHANICS UNABLE TO FIND ANY OTHER REASON FOR LEAK OTHER THAN MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN PLACE WHERE OIL FILTER SCREWS INTO ENGINE. MULTIPLE MECHANICS HAVE ATTESTED TO THIS BEING AN ONGOING PROBLEM WITH KIA VEHICLES. *AK”
Common questions
How many engine complaints does the 1997 Kia Sephia have?
NHTSA has 47 complaints about the 1997 Kia Sephia engine — 13% of all complaints filed for that model year.
Related
Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.
Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.