Equal-exposure complaint evidence and changes in the reported problem mix

1998 vs 1999 KIA SEPHIA

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Share shifts show how a vehicle's problem mix changed. They do not measure reliability, and complaint counts are not normalized for sales volume.

First 335 months on market for each model year

Exposure window calculated through Aug 22, 2026

Age-matched reports

▼ 13.2% fewer reports in the equal exposure window

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21

Bars start at the neutral midpoint. Left means a smaller share; right means a larger share.

View component share data as a table

Component	1998 share	1999 share	Share change
SERVICE BRAKES	34.3%	29.1%	▼ 5.3 pts smaller share
VISIBILITY	4.6%	1.7%	▼ 2.9 pts smaller share
AIR BAGS	4.6%	7.1%	▲ 2.6 pts larger share
FUEL SYSTEM	6.4%	8.3%	▲ 1.9 pts larger share
POWER TRAIN	6.2%	8.1%	▲ 1.9 pts larger share
EXTERIOR LIGHTING	3.5%	1.7%	▼ 1.8 pts smaller share
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	11.4%	10.0%	▼ 1.4 pts smaller share
STEERING	2.5%	3.8%	▲ 1.3 pts larger share
SEAT BELTS	1.0%	2.1%	▲ 1.1 pts larger share
SUSPENSION	2.7%	1.7%	▼ 1.0 pts smaller share
ENGINE	12.8%	13.8%	▲ 1.0 pts larger share
STRUCTURE	2.5%	1.9%	▼ 0.6 pts smaller share
TIRES	0.6%	1.2%	▲ 0.6 pts larger share
PARKING BRAKE	not reported	0.5%	▲ 0.5 pts larger share
WHEELS	0.6%	0.2%	▼ 0.4 pts smaller share
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL	1.0%	1.2%	▲ 0.2 pts larger share
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	86.6%	86.9%	▲ 0.3 pts larger share

NHTSA Safety Recalls recalls · snapshot 2026-08-22

1998 6

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

1999 5

Campaign components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, SEAT BELTS, and VISIBILITY

NHTSA Consumer Complaints complaints · snapshot 2026-08-21