91 of the
375 complaints about the 1997 KIA Sephia are about the
braking system — 24% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
63,000 miles.
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES FELT BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER HAVING IT FOR 2 WEEKS OTHER THING STARTED TO GO WRONG. I HAD TO BUY A CAP AND ROTOR AND GET SPARK PLUG AND WIRES. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT ME IN SOMETHING BETTER. THEY WANT ME TO PAY ON A JUNK CAR THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FIXING DAY AFTER DAY.
NHTSA complaint #10070151 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Federal WAY, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
TOOK CAR INTO DEALER BECAUSE BRAKES WERE PULSING. SERVICE CONSULTANT SHOWED ME A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL ROTORS AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THEM WITH A NEWER DESIGN THAT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO HEAT WARPING. THE EXTRA COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT ROTORS $110 ABOVE THE COST OF REPLACING THE PADS AND CALIPHERS, WHICH INCREASED THE TOTAL COST OF THE BRAKE JOB TO $307.
NHTSA complaint #10020658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 5 OR 6 TIMES IN LESS THAN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, DEALER STATES THIS WAS NORMAL BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NEW. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portsmouth, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
CONSUMER STATES BRAKES HAVE BEEN WORKED ON 5 OR 6 TIMES IN LESS THAN THE FIRST 18 MONTHS, DEALER STATES THIS WAS NORMAL BECAUSE BRAKES WERE NEW. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563540 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Melbourne, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
3RD TIME PROBLEM WITH ROTORS.TURNED 1X,REPLACED 1X.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THEY'RE CLAIMING THAT THE WIRING IS CORRODED ALL OVER THE CAR.ADMITS KIA HAS PROBLEM WITH ROTORS,BUT WON'T FIX IT BECAUSE I HAVEN'T USED DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE AND MAINTENANCE (TOO EXPENSIVE AND BAD HOURS...THEY CHARGED $200 MORE THAN ANY OTHER PLACE FOR 30K SERVICE!SAME WORK INVOLVED!
NHTSA complaint #735511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Havelock, NC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
BRAKES HAVE TO BE REPLACED FOR 3RD TIME IN 3 YEARS.
NHTSA complaint #747835 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmira, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
THE LAST TIME MY ROTORS WARPED FOR THE FIFTH TIME, MY DEALER WASN'T GOING TO REPLACED THEM UNTIL I HAD A LENGTHY DISCUSSION WITH HIM AND HE CALLED THE MANUFACTURER. HE DID NOT REPLACE THE BRAKE PADS THIS TIME BECAUSE KIA WOULD NOT AUTHORIZE THAT EXPENSE. THEY ARE WARPING AGAIN FOR THE SIXTH TIME. I HAVE NEVER HAD A CAR WITH AS MANY PROBLEMS AS THIS CAR(SOME ARE NOT LISTED). I DON'T FEEL SAFE IN IT AT ALL.
NHTSA complaint #746838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sacramento, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKES FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #785373 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MD
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT ANY MPH VEHICLE WILL SUDDENLY ACCELERATE WITHOUT A PRIOR WARNING.CONSUMER WILL STEP ON BRAKES PEDAL TO STOP ACCELERATION, BUT VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP, AND CONCERNED ABOUT FACT OF AN ACCIDENT.*AK TRANSMISSION FAILED. BRAKES MAKE NOISE DUE TO ROTOR FAILURE. WIPER BLADES FAILED. BATTERY FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #879923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Starkville, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES, HOLDS SLOWLY AND PEDAL GOES ALL WAY DOWN TO FLOOR . DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #879963 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beinbridge Island, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER HAD BRAKES/ROTORS AND IDLE CONTROL VALVE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #878115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Beinbridge Island, WA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
VEHICLE STALLS AT ANY SPEED. CONSUMER HAD BRAKES/ROTORS AND IDLE CONTROL VALVE REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #878115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKES ROTORS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK ENGINE SURGES WHEN STOPPING AND SOME TIME SHUT DOWN WHEN STARTING.
NHTSA complaint #876940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Hawthorne, NJCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS VEHICLE IS A DEATH TRAP..FORD DEALER NOT VERY HELPFUL.LAST INCIDENT ALMOST CAUSED SERIOUS ACCIDENT. NO SAFETY DEFECT MENTIONED IN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #737571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Norristown, PA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
SINCE CONSUMER OWNED CAR BRAKES HAD TO BE CHANGED FIVE TIMES. 3 BATTERIES HAD TO BE PUT IN. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ON INSTRUMENT PANEL, ANTI-FREEZE IS LEAKING AND THE ENGINE IS RUNNING ROUGH. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #875454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Unknown, UN
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWO TIMES WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, THE BRAKES ARE AGAIN SHAKING AND THE DEALER HAS ODVIOUSLY NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM .
NHTSA complaint #783829 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Marietta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I HAVE ONLY HAD THIS CAR FOR 1 MONTH. IT HAD BEEN IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED TO MY SATISFACTION. THE BATTERY DIED THE DAY AFTER I BROUGHT IT HOME. THE BRAKES HAD TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. THAT COST ~$200. I HAVE A SMALL INFANT AND BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR SAFETY (DUAL AIRBAGS) THE DEALER WON'T BUY THE CAR BACK AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CAN'T SEEM TO FIX THE CAR. HELP!!!
NHTSA complaint #731610 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE AND THEY STILL MADE NOISE BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO, THE HINGE ON THE BACK DOOR FAILED, THE LEFT STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED THE CAR SKIPPED WHEN IN DRIVE TO REVERSE AND THE BREAKS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. KIA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THESE CARS HAVE TOO MANY DEFECTS AND I'M SURE THEY HAVE MANY MOR PEOPLE JUST DON'T REPORT THEM ALL THE TIME
NHTSA complaint #730809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDCrash
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:DISC:ROTOR
I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, THE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE AND THEY STILL MADE NOISE BUT THE DEALER SAID THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE THEY COULD DO, THE HINGE ON THE BACK DOOR FAILED, THE LEFT STRUT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS TIME THE ENTIRE BOTTOM OF THE CAR WAS DAMAGED THE CAR SKIPPED WHEN IN DRIVE TO REVERSE AND THE BREAKS WOULD NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO COME TO A COMPLETE STOP. KIA NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS THESE CARS HAVE TOO MANY DEFECTS AND I'M SURE THEY HAVE MANY MOR PEOPLE JUST DON'T REPORT THEM ALL THE TIME
NHTSA complaint #730809 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Reseda, CA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS
THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAS NO ADJUSTMENT. ALSO, THERE IS NO TEST ON THE MASTER CYLINDER FOR PRESURE. QUOTE(THE PEDAL TOUCHING THE FLOOR IS NORMAL FOR CAR TO DO).
NHTSA complaint #784251 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
West Patterson, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED FOUR TIMES WITHIN A 28,000 MILE PERIOD DUE TO PREMATURE WEARING, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #868995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Jackson, MS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING DIFFERENTIAL WENT OUT/ DIGITAL LASER FAILED TO WORK ON CD PANEL/ POWER WINDOW ELECTRICAL SWITCH STOPPED WORKING, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON & DID NOT GO OFF. DASHBOARD COVERING WAS SEPARATING FROM WINDOW. THERE WAS WATER IN THE HEADLIGHTS, AND BATTERY WOULD GO DEAD. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER. VEHICLE NEEDED ALIGNMENT DUE TO PROBLEM WITH TRANSMISSION & THE BRAKE ASSEMBLY NEEDED REPLACING DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR.
NHTSA complaint #868570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VA. Beach, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED.
NHTSA complaint #723866 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Tampa, FL
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME IN ONE YEAR PERIOD THAT I HAVE TO HAVE THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED. THIS IS A DEFINITE DEFECT IN KIA SEPHIA'S FROM THE FACTORY, AND THE REPLACEMENT PARTS ARE JUST AS BAD.
NHTSA complaint #724319 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kingwood, TX
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
BRAKE VIBRATION, REPLACE BOTH FRONT BRAKE DISK AND ROTORS, DUE TO BRAKE DISK OUT OF ROUND
NHTSA complaint #9001216 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE/ THE ENGINE SEIZED AT 30000 MILES/ THE BRAKES WARPED THREE TIMES AND WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES/ THE WINDOWS ARE HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE/ THE BRAKE PEDAL IS EXTREMELY LOW.
NHTSA complaint #722229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Staten Island, NY
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR
TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED TWICE/ THE ENGINE SEIZED AT 30000 MILES/ THE BRAKES WARPED THREE TIMES AND WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES/ THE WINDOWS ARE HARD TO OPEN AND CLOSE/ THE BRAKE PEDAL IS EXTREMELY LOW.
NHTSA complaint #722229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. COULD HEAR NOISE FROM BRAKES. ALSO, VEHICLE VIBRATED.
NHTSA complaint #860899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING BRAKES VEHICLE WOULD NOT STOP, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. COULD HEAR NOISE FROM BRAKES. ALSO, VEHICLE VIBRATED.
NHTSA complaint #860899 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC
I STARTED HAVING BRAKE FAILURE AND GRINDING FROM THE REAR AFTER 5 DAYS OF PURCHASING THE CAR.I WAS COMING UP TO A STOP SIGN AND THE CAR WOULD NOT STOP AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES.WHEN BACKING UP OR COMING TO A STOP I HAD A GRINDING SOUND AND SOUNDED LIKE A LIQUID WAS SPLASHING AROUND AT THE SAME TIME.I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO SOUTHLAKE KIA AND TOLD THE SERVICE REP ABOUT THE PROBLEMS.BEFORE THAT I WAS CHECKING THE SPARK PLUGS AND WHEN THEY WERE PULLED OUT ONE BY ONE THEY WERE BURNED OUT AND THE AIR FILTER WAS ALMOST AS BLACK AS TAR.I TOLD THE SERVICE REP ABOUT PLUGS AND AIR FILTER.THE SPARK PLUGS WAS CHANGED BUT I WAS TOLD THAT THE FILTER WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPLACED.I TALKED TO DARRYL HARRIS/SEALER/AND HE HAD TO TALK TO HIS BOSS IN ORDER TO GET THE FILTER REPLACED.DARRYL'S BOSS TOLD ME THAT AIR FILTERS WAS NOT GOING TO BE REPLACED,SO I SPOKE WITH DARRYL AGAIN AND HE FINALLY GOT THEM TO CHANGE THE AIR FILTER AS WELL.AFTER TELLING DARRYL WHY I WAS BACK SO SOON HE CALLED WHERE THE CARS ARE TAKEN TO BE SERVICED AND WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAD NEVER BEEN SERVICED,AND THAT'S WHEN THE AIR FILTER WAS REPLACED.AFTER EXPLAINING ABOUT MY BRAKES AND ADVISING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT IT WAS MY BACK BRAKES THAT FAILING THE MOST I WAS TOLD BY TOM AND THE MECHANIC/I BELIEVE HIS NAME IS GEORGE,I NOT REALLY SURE/THAT CARS DO NOT HAVE BACK BRAKES.I WAS TOLD BY TOM IN SO MANY WORDS THAT A CAR DOES NOT HAVE TO BE SERVICED AND THAT A CAR CAN BE SOLD EVEN IF IT IS KNOW THAT IT HAS BRAKE OR ANY OTHER TYPE OF PROBLEMS.I SPOKE WITH TONY AT 800 333 4542 EXT 35014 WHO SAID THAT HE WOULD GET SOMEONE FROM DPS WHO COULD AUTHORIZE THE REPAIRS.TO DATE I STILL HAVE NOT HEARD FROM ANYONE WHO CAN ASSIST ME WITH MY PROBLEMS.ON 7/26/99 TOM HAD THE MECHANIC TO REPLACE FRONT PADS AND ROTORS WITH UPDATED PARS,CLEANED AND ADJUSTED REAR BARKES.THE FRONT PADS HAD UNEVEN WEAR AS WELL.AFTER THE REPAIRS TOM TOLD ME THAT HE HAD THE FRONT AND BACK BRAKES REPLACED AND REPLACED THE PADS.
NHTSA complaint #721421 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.