Kia

Sephia

Compact Cars · model years 1993 to 1999

See all 20 Sephia trims All Kia cars

The verdict

Best year: 1993. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 59; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 1998. complaints: 491, about 8.3x this model's typical 59; recalls: 6, about 6x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Kia Sephia
Year	Trims	MPG	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Top complaints
1993	2Gas	25.5	$2,450	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 59 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
1994	2Gas	25	$2,500	1	16	POWER TRAIN 21%, SEAT BELTS 17%, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 17%
complaints: 16, below this model's typical 59 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 Score: 81 of 100, where higher is better.
1995	4Gas	23.5	$2,650	1	64	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 15%, POWER TRAIN 13%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 11%
complaints: 64, below this model's typical 118 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 14 complaints reporting a fire: 1 Score: 62 of 100, where higher is better.
1996	4Gas	24	$2,600	1	118	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 21%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%
complaints: 118, in line with this model's typical 118 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 17 complaints reporting a fire: 4 Score: 40 of 100, where higher is better.
1997	4Gas	24	$2,600	1	205	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 22%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 9%
complaints: 205, about 1.7x this model's typical 118 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 28 complaints reporting a fire: 5 Score: 3 of 100, where higher is better.
1998	2Gas	23.5	$2,650	6	491	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 29%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 13%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 491, about 8.3x this model's typical 59 recalls: 6, about 6x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 19 complaints reporting a fire: 16 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
1999	2Gas	23.5	$2,650	5	428	SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 26%, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 14%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 428, about 7.3x this model's typical 59 recalls: 5, about 5x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 37 complaints reporting a fire: 42 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median1993: 25.5 to 1999: 23.5

Owner complaints1993: 0 to 1999: 428

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Kia Sephia to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.