VehicleVerdict

1998 Kia Sephia electrical system problems

The 1998 Kia Sephia has 143 electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA — 14% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

143

Electrical System complaints

14%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

0

Related recalls

Electrical System complaints by year

Sephia electrical system complaints by model year143 complaints1994: 1 complaints1995: 4 complaints1996: 25 complaints1997: 36 complaints1998: 143 complaints1999: 81 complaints2000: 57 complaints2001: 19 complaints2002: 1 complaints
Sephia electrical system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

What owners report

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · September 20, 2002 · fire

Common questions

How many electrical system complaints does the 1998 Kia Sephia have?

NHTSA has 143 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sephia electrical system — 14% 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.