VehicleVerdict

1998 Kia Sephia lighting problems

The 1998 Kia Sephia has 34 lighting complaints filed with NHTSA — 3% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

34

Lighting complaints

3%

Share of year

1

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Lighting complaints by year

Sephia lighting complaints by model year34 complaints1995: 2 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 4 complaints1998: 34 complaints1999: 19 complaints2000: 11 complaints2001: 4 complaints
Sephia lighting complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

02V207000LightingJuly 29, 2002 · 25,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH 36,000 MILES OR LESS AS OF JULY 15, 2002, AN ELECTRICAL CONTACT PROBLEM MAY HAVE DEVELOPED IN THE HAZARD SWITCH WHICH COULD RESULT IN INOPERATIVE HAZARD LIGHTS AND/OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNALS.

Consequence

THE LOSS OF TURN SIGNALS OR REAR HAZARD LAMPS COULD FAIL TO WARN A FOLLOWING DRIVER THAT THE VEHICLE IS TURNING AND/OR IS STOPPED AND COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD SWITCH. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 6, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Common questions

How many lighting complaints does the 1998 Kia Sephia have?

NHTSA has 34 complaints about the 1998 Kia Sephia lighting — 3% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 1998 Kia Sephia lighting?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the lighting: 02V207000.

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.