2000 Kia Sephia
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2000 Kia Sephia is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 52 on record.
2000 Kia Sephia at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2000 Kia Sephia recalls 1
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS 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.
2000 Kia Sephia common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 340 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2000 Kia Sephia MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 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 2000 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.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2000 Kia Sephia. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 7
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION Closed
THE MANUFACTURER HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RELATED CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CORRECTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEFECT. THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS/BUCKLES. THIS SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 04V305.
NHTSA #EA04007 · Seat Belts · opened Feb 2004 · closed Jul 2004REFUELING SPIT BACK Closed
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THI…
NHTSA #EA04004 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel System, Other · opened Feb 2004 · closed Jul 2004SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION Closed
INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216. THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY KIA TO IMPROVE THE A…
NHTSA #RQ03007 · Seat Belts · opened Oct 2003 · closed Feb 2004REFUELING SPIT BACK Closed
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175). ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY D…
NHTSA #RQ03006 · Fuel System, Gasoline, Fuel System, Other · opened Aug 2003 · closed Feb 2004NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES Closed
ODI GATHERED FIRE DATA FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND INSPECTED SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES CAUSED BY STARTER CABLE CHAFING. ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND THAT MOST OF THE SUSPECT FIRES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED SERVICE REPAIRS IN THE AREA OF THE SUBJECT CABLE. CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE HAS DECLINED SINCE A PEAK IN LATE 200…
NHTSA #EA02016 · Electrical System · opened Aug 2002 · closed Oct 2003BATTERY CABLE CHAFING Closed
NHTSA #PE02028 · Electrical System · opened Mar 2002 · closed Aug 2002INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START Closed
ALLEGE BATTETY MAY EXPLODE IF OWNER'S ATTEMPT TO JUMP-STATE THE VEHICLE BY FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL DIAGRAM
NHTSA #PE00026 · Electrical System · opened Jul 2000 · closed Jul 2000An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 15
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 15.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides inf…
Bulletin TSB_BOD055_R1 · Structure, Exterior Lighting · Sep 2021PITSTOP - 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 2008CHARGING SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT
Bulletin 017 · Electrical System · Sep 2004BATTERY CABLE CHAFING INSPECTION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. REVISED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *TT
Bulletin 035R · Electrical System · Jan 2004BATTERY CABLE CHAFING INSPECTION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, LETTERS TO SERVICE MANAGERS AND DEALERS AND OWNERS. *TT
Bulletin 035 · Electrical System · Dec 2003THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK. *TT
Bulletin 025 · Electrical System · Sep 2002Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the SEPHIA. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 2
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2000 Kia Sephia. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.
Seats And Restraints
On certain vehicles, the front seat belt buckles may not latch properly, even though they emit a clicking sound during latching. Improperly latched buckles would not provide passenger restraint and could pull out at any time, especially during a collision. Correction: Dealers will replace the front seat belt buckles.
Transport Canada #2004294 · Aug 2004Other
Certain vehicles do not comply with Regulation 6 - Statement of Compliance. The outer circle of the National Safety Mark was omitted and the vehicle type was not stated in both official languages on the compliance label. Correction: A correct National Safety Mark will be affixed to affected vehicles. An adhesive label, which indicates the vehicle type in both French and English…
Transport Canada #2000095 · Apr 2000Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
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.
2000 Kia Sephia trims & engines on record
2000 Kia Sephia vehicles on record
2000 Kia Sephia BaseKNAFB121XY5882984
2000 Kia Sephia BaseKNAFB1211Y5871307
2000 Kia Sephia LSKNAFB1211Y5889886
2000 Kia Sephia BaseKNAFB1219Y5887951
2000 Kia Sephia LSKNAFB1214Y5906129
2000 Kia Sephia LSKNAFB1214Y5822361
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2222Y5615473
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB242245426908
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2222Y5615439
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2223Y5611431
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2222Y5614234
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2223Y5611484
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2222Y5614354
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2422Y5427179
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2223Y5611526
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2422Y5426791
2000 Kia SephiaKNAFB2222Y5510540
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2422Y5426885
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB222215619631
2000 Kia SephiaKNAFB222XY5510205
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2422Y5426911
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB2422Y5426909
2000 Kia SephiaKNAFB222XY5510527
2000 Kia SephiaKNEFB222215619491