The 1995 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 104 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
9
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
7
1crashes4injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
6
1crashes4injuries
STRUCTURE
5
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
4
4crashes6injuries
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
4
2crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
4
1crashes1injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
4
2crashes
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
3
Total complaints104
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl*the contact owns a 1995 kia sephia. After receiving an oil and filter change, the vehicle suddenly caught fire under the hood while driving 10 mph. The contact exited the vehicle and called 911. The fire department extinguished the fire and filed a report. The fire department stated that the…”
“Dashboard is rolling back from the windshield on both driver and passenger sid eof the car. Unable to secure the dashboard.*ak”
“Technical defect in manufacturing. Mr the consumer stated ever since the vehicle was purchased the vehicle made all kinds of noises. *jb”
“The dash has several discolored brown.. Looking like burnt spots on it and has completeley come unglued neareast the windshield. The defrosters are rendered useless by this. I complained to a kia dealer and he said I could have a new one put on. But only completely at my expense.*ak”
“Driver was not wearing lap portion of safety restraint system. Forces through roll over collision sequence caused mounting bracket for passive restraint latch to fail. For further information, contact officer sedam, chp mait, [REDACTED], report cl-026-02. *ak”
“Consumer noticed that the dashboard is falling apart, the glue, bolts and plastic cover are all coming apart. Nlm *yh”
“Consumer noticed that the dashboard is falling apart, the glue, bolts and plastic cover are all coming apart. Nlm *yh”
“Recall campaign on seat belt buckle. *ts requesting information associated with the recall campaign #(02v-216) of seat belt buckle assemblies 1995-98 kia sephis and sportage vehicles.”
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 1995 Kia Sephia as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.