Kia published one set of service specifications for the 1999 Sephia, and this factory service and repair manual is written to that set: the specifications in it belong to this exact year, engine and trim rather than being borrowed from an earlier or later Sephia.
Engines covered
- 1.8L inline-four — DOHC, naturally aspirated, gasoline
Body styles covered
- 4-door sedan
Trims covered
- Base
- LS
Known issues on the 1999 Sephia. One recall is on federal record for this model year, covering the front seat belt buckle assemblies. 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, and the latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied. Owners have filed 749 complaints for the year and Kia has issued 14 technical service bulletins.
Whether you are confirming that a front buckle truly latches and holds or working on the 1.8L DOHC four, it keeps you on Kia's own procedure and the correct figure for your 1999 Sephia.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MANUFACTURING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE ORVR SPRING FORCE AND FLOAT WIRE LENGTH REDUCING THE VALVE ANGLE. CERTAIN VALVES CAUSED FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY.
THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORVR VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2000. 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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BALL SOCKET ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN THE LINK DISENGAGING FROM THE WIPER MOTOR DRIVE UNDER LOAD, SUCH AS PUSHING AGAINST ICE, SNOW OR OTHER RESISTANCE. ALSO THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUT COULD BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED ALLOWING THE WIPER ARM TO SLIP AND/OR STOP FUNCTIONING.
THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.
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.
THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
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 b
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.
TSB: 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 example
TSB: 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 sta
TSB: 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
KIA: 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
CHARGING SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING INSPECTION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. REVISED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *TT
Showing the 8 most recent of 15 technical service bulletins on file with NHTSA.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA LS. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE AFTER IT WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL FLEW OFF AND THE REARVIEW MIRROR STRUCK HIM IN THE HEAD. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION, A FRACTURED STERNUM AND RIBS, AND A BROKEN LEFT ELBOW IN TWO PLACES. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND POLICE AND FIRE REPORTS WERE FILED. THE CONTACT HAS PICTURES. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 00V175000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISS
AFTER I T-BONED A JEEP, I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND THEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY WENT UP AND FLAMES.*AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, 9 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
FRONT CRASH AT 15 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL, AND PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK
I HAD A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.I HIT FULL ON THE FRONT END AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THE FRAME WAS BENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.*AK
FAX ON BEHALF OF, RE AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1999 KIA SEPHIA THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE BACK BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *KB *JB
DURING FRONTAL 65 MPH IMPACT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK BROKE AND JAMMED FORWARD, NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS RESULTING IN INJURY. MJS
DURING FRONTAL 65 MPH IMPACT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK BROKE AND JAMMED FORWARD, NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS RESULTING IN INJURY. MJS
DURING FRONTAL 65 MPH IMPACT FRONT PASSENGER SEAT BACK BROKE AND JAMMED FORWARD, NO DEPLOYMENT OF BOTH AIR BAGS RESULTING IN INJURY. MJS
THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, THE FRONT SEAT BROKE, THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE TRUNK ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT.
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE LISTED AUTO STRUCK SEVEN OTHER VEHICKLE'S, ROLLED AND LANDED ON IT'S SIDE. THE AUTO WAS TOTALLED AND THE DRIVER WAS HOPITALIZED. A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK
AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVERSIDE MIRROR WAS DESIGNED TO FOLD INWARD WHEN THIS HAPPENED; INSTEAD, MIRROR EXPLODED, AND DRIVER WAS HIT BY GLASS, WINDOW WAS DOWN. DRIVER SUFFERED MULTIPLE FACIAL CUTS. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND REFUSED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. *AK
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED FROM LATCH PLATE. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BUCKLE HIT THE DRIVER SHOULD AND HIT HER IN THE HEAD. THE STRAP BRUISED HER SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK *SLC *PH *NLM*EA04007*
Showing the 15 most serious of 518 complaints filed with NHTSA.
