50 of the 203 complaints about the 1996 KIA Sephia are about the braking system — 25% of everything reported for this model year.
50
Complaints
5
Crashes
0
Fires
2
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED.
NHTSA complaint #10099333 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
ONLY 9 MONTH OLD BREAK, ROTORS HAS BECOME TOO THIN, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #743580 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 8000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #739060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #738431 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EVERY TIME TAKEN IN FOR REG.CHECKUP,HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON,PUTTING 99 BRAKES ON 96 CAR.
NHTSA complaint #737541 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
A CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE BRAKES AND ROTORS, SINCE THEN THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS 4 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES.
NHTSA complaint #783661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
EVERY 5000 MILES NEEDS BRAKES/ ROTORS, CONSUMER FEELS ROTORS ARE WARPING FAST, AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #874702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
EVERY 5000 MILES NEEDS BRAKES/ ROTORS, CONSUMER FEELS ROTORS ARE WARPING FAST, AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.
NHTSA complaint #874702 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKE REPAIRED AND THEY FAILED AGAIN 6299 MILES LATER, THEY HAD THE BRAKES REMOVED AND TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED THEM THAT THE ROTORS WERE THE ORINGINALLY INSTALLED ROTORS AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING. CONSUMER FEELS THE THE BRAKE JOB DONE PRIOR WAS NEVER DONE OR THE NEW BRAKES INSTALLED WERE DEFECTIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #552508 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND DOESNT DEPRESS, MAKING STOPPING SLOW. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE CAR BECOME BLACK,COVERED WITH THE DUST FROM THE BRAKE PADS.. AND AT TIMES THE BRAKES STICK AND RESISTANCE IS FELT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT TIRES BEGIN TO GIVE OFF SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #723331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND DOESNT DEPRESS, MAKING STOPPING SLOW. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE CAR BECOME BLACK,COVERED WITH THE DUST FROM THE BRAKE PADS.. AND AT TIMES THE BRAKES STICK AND RESISTANCE IS FELT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT TIRES BEGIN TO GIVE OFF SMOKE.
NHTSA complaint #723331 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM, I HAD AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE INSPECTION BY KIA AUTHORIZED MECHANIC REVEALED, THAT THE CAR HAD FACTORY DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM.
NHTSA complaint #722041 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN MARCH 24, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM , I HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE INSPECTION BY KIA AUTHOIZED MECHANIC REVEALED, THAT THE CAR HAD FACTORY DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. UNTIL NOW THERE HAS BEEN DONE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT WITHOUT ANY SUCCESFUL RESULTS.CAR HAVE LOTS OF DEFERENT PROBLEMS AND FACTORY DEFECTS. IT IS A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #721400 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE PULLED OUT OF THE CENTER ANCHOR IN THE TRANSFER BRACKET DUE TO POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OF THE METAL BEING TOO SOFT (WEAK) FOR FORCE NECESSARY. MJS
NHTSA complaint #548139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
IN COLD/DAMP WEATHER BRAKES WILL LOCK UP AND MAKE LOUD NOISE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID.
NHTSA complaint #858922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
OIL FILTERS MADE BY ANY OTHER COMPANY THAN KIA DOES NOT WORK. I HAD TO GET AN OIL CHANGE TWICE BECAUSE THE ONE DONE BY THE CAR LOT WAS NOT A KIA OIL FILTER AND THE ONE I HAD DONE WAS NOT A KIA FILTER. I TOOK THE CAR TO A KIA REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY CLEANED THE AREA AND CHANGED THE FILTER. THE BRAKES SINCE I BOUGHT THE CAR HAVE BEEN SCREACHING AND AT THAT TIME, A BRAKE REPAIRMAN ADVISED ME MY BRAKES WORE AT 95%. THE BRAKES STILL SCREACH AND GRIND. IN THE SUMMER, THE AIR CONDITIONER GIVES OFF A FOUL ODOR TO THE POINT OF HAVING TO TURN IT OFF. THE REAR MIDDLE SEATBELT DOES NOT LATCH. THE STEPS LISTED IN THE KIA MANUAL DOES NOT COINCIDE WITH THE STEPS YOU MUST TAKE TO DEFROST THE WINDOWS. THE ONLY WAY I CAN IS TO TURN THE HEAT UP ALL THE WAY, OR TO TURN ON THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONER, WHICH I CAN'T USE. THE CAR WHEN IT'S IN DRIVE FEELS LIKE IT'S IN A LOWER GEAR AT TIMES AND FEELS LIKE IT'S NOT QUITE IN DRIVE. THE SEAMS IN THE DRIVER'S DOOR ALLOWS WATER DRIP INTO THE CAR. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER HOLE ON THE RIGHT SIDE DOESN'T SPREW OUT ANY WINDSHIELD CLEANER. I HAD TO TAKE THE CAR BACK TO THE CAR LOT BEAUSE OF THE GAS DOOR NOT OPENING WITH THE INDOOR GAS LATCH. THE OUTSIDE OF THE FRONT HUBCAPS GETS VERY OIL AND NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. THE WINDOW'S RESIST WHEN YOU TRY TO ROLL THEM UP.
NHTSA complaint #716669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHEN VEHICLE IS COLD THE BRAKE PEDAL WOULD NOT DEPRESS TO THE FLOORBOARD, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PUMP THE BRAKES TO GET OUT OF PARK. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF PROBLEM, BUT CANNOT FIND ITS CAUSE. KIA HAS FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. *AK
NHTSA complaint #852693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE, DRUM, AND ROTOR PROBLEMS. AIR CONDITIONER DOESN'T WORK. DOESN'T ACCELERATE WELL.
NHTSA complaint #522181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH VEHICLE LOST BRAKING POWER. TOOK AUTO TO DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY CANNOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #844238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO WARPING/VIBRATION/SHUDDERING, ALSO GLAZED BRAKE LINING REPLACED DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #544933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO WARPING/VIBRATION/SHUDDERING, ALSO GLAZED BRAKE LINING REPLACED DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #544933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:SHOES/LININGS
SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS DUE TO WARPING/VIBRATION/SHUDDERING, ALSO GLAZED BRAKE LINING REPLACED DUE TO SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN APPLYING BRAKES.
NHTSA complaint #544933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE, PADS AND ROTORS, MAKE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. REPAIRWORK DONE AT OWNER'S EXPENSE, AND PROBLEM STILL EXISTS DUE TO TYPE OF BRAKES. DEALER AWARE AND CANNOT REMEDY PROBLEM. PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #836176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
BRAKE ROTORS SEVERELY WORN, PADS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #536252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE ROTORS SEVERELY WORN, PADS FAILED CAUSING NOISE.
NHTSA complaint #536252 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
TRANSMISSION BROKE DOWN. OVERDRIVE KEEPS SLIPPING. WILL NOT SHIFT. VEHICLE WOULD NOT START UP. THE KILL SWITCH WIRING KEEPS EFFECTING STARTING. BRAKE DISC & PADS NEED TO BE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #832363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKE PEDAL GOES TO THE FLOOR, SEEMS TO BE AIR IN BRAKES. DEALER CANNOT DUPLICATE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #824630 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE FAILURE WITH NO WARING, REPLACE BRAKES, DRUMS AND ROTOR TWICE.
NHTSA complaint #522181 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BOTH FRONT BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #533746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
BRAKE CALIPERS, ROTORS AND PADS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES IN TWO YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #530938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.