1996 Kia Sephia
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 1996 Kia Sephia is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 43 on record.
1996 Kia Sephia at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
1996 Kia Sephia recalls 1
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
1996 Kia Sephia common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 161 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
1996 Kia Sephia MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 1996 Kia Sephia costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 1
SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MALFUNCTION Closed
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.
NHTSA #PE02051 · Seat Belts · opened Jun 2002 · closed Sep 2002An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 11
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 11.
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
Bulletin PS539 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Mar 2018TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nu…
Bulletin TSB-GEN085R1 · Equipment, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Jan 2017TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pi…
Bulletin TSB-GEN085 · Latches/locks/linkages, Equipment Adaptive/mobility · Nov 2016TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE…
Bulletin TSBTRA046 · Power Train · Dec 2013KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE
Bulletin KT-2008082201 · Parking Brake, Exterior Lighting · Aug 2008RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. NOTIFICATION LETTER TO DEALERS. *TT
Bulletin 027 · Seat Belts · Dec 2002THIS BULLETIN PROVIDED INFORMATION RELATED TO RECALL CAMPAIGN 027 TO REPLACE THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. *TT
Bulletin 027 · Seat Belts · Dec 2002THIS TECHINICAL SERVICE BULLETIN OUTLINES THE NEW SEPHIA REMANUFACTURED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION PROGRAM. *TT
Bulletin 003 · Power Train · Oct 1999RECALL CAMPAGIN ON EVAPORATIVE FUEL VAPOR HOSE REPLACEMENT FOR VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 1.8 LITER BPD ENGINES. *TT
Bulletin 008 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1999REPLACEMENT REPAIRS OF ALL EVAPORATIVE FUEL VAPOR HOSES AND PIPES AT THE FUEL TANK. *TT
Bulletin 008 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 1999Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SEPHIA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
About the Kia Sephia
The Kia Sephia is a compact car that was manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors from September 1992 to 2003.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.
1996 Kia Sephia vehicles on record
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5617146
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422T5203743
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2423T5202947
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2252T5449395
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222T5452805
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422V5213979
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5617141
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422T5204106
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222T5452888
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5623039
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5623037
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2252T5451530
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422V5211825
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5617204
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222T5451666
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2222T5617185
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222V5454401
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2212T5621750
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422V5211608
1996 Kia SephiaKNAFA2212T5621647
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222T5452059
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2222T5451985
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2422T5206470
1996 Kia SephiaKNEFA2252T5445434