The 1996 Kia Sephia has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 189,706 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 203 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the unknown or other. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
SEAT BELTS02V2160002002-08-16189,706 affected
Defect
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Consequence
IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy
OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 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.
Complaints by component
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
18
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
12
1fires
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
12
3crashes5injuries1deaths
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
9
4crashes5injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
9
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
7
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
7
1crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
7
1crashes
STRUCTURE
7
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
6
1fires
Total complaints203
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Abs braking light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer noticed while applying the brakes the pedal went to the floor. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the problem could not be duplicated. *ak”
“Dt: the consumer stated that on december 1, 2003 the dashboard lifted up in the front when turning on the defroster . It did not defog the window, it will work somewhat but not like it should. Can see the inside dashboard where wiring and foam was. It has progressively gotten worse since december…”
“When vehicle has been started engine light would come on and remain illuminated. Had taken vehicle to dealership, and mechanic failed to resolve the problem.*ak”
“Consumer states that body mounts separated from the frame, resulting in loss of steering function while driving. Related recall 98v323000, consumer's vehicle not included due to vin. *ak”
“Dashboard has curled up in front (against windshield). Because of this the defroster will not defrost the driver side of the windshield. As a result I am unable to see adequately to drive anytime my windshield is foggy. This may also cause problems with airbag deployment but I'm not sure.”
“It is unbelieveable that there is no recall on the dashboards for kia vehicles. I own a kia sephia and it seems like the dashboard cracks and peels off. I have seen other models and it faces the same problems. Matter of fact I visited kia dealerships and there is no warranty on this items. The…”
“Consumer states that the front seat belt buckles will not lock properly causing the consumer not to have a seat belt on while driving. Dealer notified. Ts”
“Consumer was driving the vehicle when the whole dash board came off. Dealer was not contacted at the time of this. Ts”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE02051 Opened 2002-06-17 · closed 2002-09-20
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION
BY LETTER DATED AUGUST 25, 2002, KIA ADVISED NHTSA THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES WILL BE RECALLED.SPECIFIC CORRECTIVE ACTION TO BE TAKEN BY KIA HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA AT THIS TIME.THE SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 1996 Kia Sephia as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.