VehicleVerdict

1998 Kia Sephia fuel system problems

The 1998 Kia Sephia has 65 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 7% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

65

Fuel System complaints

7%

Share of year

5

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Sephia fuel system complaints by model year65 complaints1995: 3 complaints1996: 5 complaints1997: 13 complaints1998: 65 complaints1999: 54 complaints2000: 17 complaints2001: 7 complaints
Sephia fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

99V317000Fuel SystemNovember 9, 1999 · 102,944 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.

99V318000Fuel SystemNovember 9, 1999 · 102,944 units

Defect

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.

Consequence

THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.

What owners report

“IN 2 YEARS I HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION, REPLACE MY BRAKES 6 TIMES, SERVICE ENGINE PROBLEMS 7 TIMES, FUEL PUMP, 8 RECALLS, WIPERS, NEW TIRES, AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS... COPIES OF REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. I HAVE ALSO BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE DEALER MANY TIMES.”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · crash

Common questions

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

NHTSA has 65 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system — 7% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Kia Sephia fuel system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 99V317000, 99V318000.

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.