FaultScore

1998 KIA Sephia electrical problems

134 of the 994 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sephia are about the electrical system — 13% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 57,000 miles.

C

134

Complaints

5

Crashes

9

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Ignition 23 17.2%
Electrical System 20 14.9%
12V/24V/48V Battery 16 11.9%
Alternator/Generator/Regulator 15 11.2%
Fuses AND Circuit Breakers 12 9.0%
Starter Assembly 12 9.0%
Interior/Under Dash 8 6.0%
Front Underhood 7 5.2%
Switch 6 4.5%
Wiring 5 3.7%

Electrical System across every KIA Sephia year

1996 25 7.3%
1997 34 9.9%
1998 134 39.2%
1999 80 23.4%
2000 51 14.9%
2001 18 5.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 80 miles Georgetown, DE

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I BROUGHT A NEW KIA SEPHIA IN 1998, AND HAD NOTHING BUT TROUBLE WITH IT! TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED 2 TIMES BY THE MECHANIC FOR KIA MOTORS, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN ON 7/2007. ALSO , THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED 4 TIMES AND NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. NOW THE HEADLIGHTS KEEP TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT, BUT NO MECHANIC CAN LOCATE THE ELECTRICAL SHORT PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10196733 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Oakmont, PA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN TRYING TO MERGE INTO TRAFFIC WITH THE 1998 KIA SOPHIA IT STALLED. WHEN THIS HAPPENED INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTS TURNED ON. THE VEHICLE STALLED IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, AND SHE HAD TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK AND RESTART IT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE'S CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HER THAT SHE NEEDED A NEW VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP FOUND NOTHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. AT TIMES WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND SHE TRIES TO RESTART IT, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART.

NHTSA complaint #10186459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chandler, AZ

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, APPROXIMATELY 70,00 MILES ON MY CAR, THE AC/HEATER FAN MOTOR WILL BLOW AIR INTERMITTENTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE FAN'S SPEED SETTING. EVENTUALLY, THE FAN STOPS BLOWING ALL TOGETHER. THIS SAME THING HAS HAPPENED WITH MY 1999 KIA SEPHIA.

NHTSA complaint #10135239 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Redoak, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DT: VEHICLE ENGINE STALLS. KIA 1998 HAD BEEN RECALLED. PROBLEM WAS SUPPOSED TO BE FIXED, HOWEVER, VEHICLE CONTINUES TO HAVE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #10124385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

BATTERY WASN'T HOLDING CHARGE, NEEDED CONTINUOUS REFILL WITH DISTILLED WATER, OVERHEATING, OVERFLOWING AND SPILLING ACID CORRODING OTHER PARTS. (NAR) *PH

NHTSA complaint #10064962 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 60,000 miles Tallahassee, FL Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONSUMER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO DO SO. THE CONSUMER NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. IT CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THERE WAS A HARD START THAT WOULD NOT HOLD FUEL PRESSURE. *SC

NHTSA complaint #10067413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles FT Hood, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK

I PURCHASED A KIA IN MARCH 02' I USED THE CAR FOR LONG TRIPS THE FIRST YEAR I HAD OWNED THE CAR AND I HAD NO FAULTS IN JAN.- FEB 03' THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT IN TO NUMEROUS GEARS AND THEN STALL. I WAS THEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ. I LEFT THE CAR WITH A GOOD FRIEND. WHEN I CAME BACK HE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. FRIEND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP.FRIEND THEN REPLACED FUEL PUMP AGAIN WHEN CAR WOULDN'T START. FRIEND LEFT THE CAR ALONE,WHEN IT DIDN'T START, UNTIL I HAD RETURNED FROM IRAQ. I CAME BACK AND TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WAS GOING ON. MIDAS THEN SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. CAR RAN FOR A DAY THEN DIED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MIDAS THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAD THAT REPLACED. CAR STILL DIDN'T START. SO MIDAS SAID THREE WEEKS LATER THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL MODULE. THE CAR THEN WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN WOULDN'T START. TOOK CAR TO SEVERAL SHOPS ALL SAID IT WAS THE PUMP. I THEN HAD A MECHANIC FROM MY UNIT CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WAS WITHIN THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP STILL HASN'T FIGURED IT OUT. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND THAT IT HAS A FAULTY CONNECTION WITH THE CONNECTING CABLES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THE CONNECTORS HAVE BEEN MISS FIRING AND HAS BURNT A HOLE IN MY BACK SEAT. I'VE TRIED TO GO TO THE DEALER BUT THEY INSIST ON DOING A DIANOSTIC AND CHARGE ME $60.00 JUST TO TELL ME THE SAME THING THAT I ALREADY KNOW. THEY ALSO SAID THEY CAN'T ORDER THE PART UNTIL A DIANOSTIC WAS DONE. I'VE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK OVER FILLING AND NOT READING FULL ON THE GAUGE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES IN 18 MONTHS.THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE ALSO HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT WEAR AND TEAR OCCURS ON A VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IAM DISSAPONTED IN KIA

NHTSA complaint #10051293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles FT Hood, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I PURCHASED A KIA IN MARCH 02' I USED THE CAR FOR LONG TRIPS THE FIRST YEAR I HAD OWNED THE CAR AND I HAD NO FAULTS IN JAN.- FEB 03' THE CAR BEGAN TO SHIFT IN TO NUMEROUS GEARS AND THEN STALL. I WAS THEN DEPLOYED TO IRAQ. I LEFT THE CAR WITH A GOOD FRIEND. WHEN I CAME BACK HE INFORMED ME THAT THE CAR WOULDN'T START. DEALER SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. FRIEND REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP.FRIEND THEN REPLACED FUEL PUMP AGAIN WHEN CAR WOULDN'T START. FRIEND LEFT THE CAR ALONE,WHEN IT DIDN'T START, UNTIL I HAD RETURNED FROM IRAQ. I CAME BACK AND TOOK THE CAR TO MIDAS, DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE DEALER DIDN'T HAVE AN IDEA OF WHAT WAS GOING ON. MIDAS THEN SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP. I HAD IT REPLACED FOR A THIRD TIME. CAR RAN FOR A DAY THEN DIED. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO MIDAS THEY SAID IT WAS THE WIRING HARNESS. I HAD THAT REPLACED. CAR STILL DIDN'T START. SO MIDAS SAID THREE WEEKS LATER THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL MODULE. THE CAR THEN WORKED FOR ABOUT A MONTH THEN WOULDN'T START. TOOK CAR TO SEVERAL SHOPS ALL SAID IT WAS THE PUMP. I THEN HAD A MECHANIC FROM MY UNIT CHECK IT OUT. HE SAID IT WAS WITHIN THE WIRING TO THE FUEL PUMP STILL HASN'T FIGURED IT OUT. SINCE THEN I HAVE FOUND THAT IT HAS A FAULTY CONNECTION WITH THE CONNECTING CABLES NEAR THE FUEL PUMP UNDER THE BACK SEAT. THE CONNECTORS HAVE BEEN MISS FIRING AND HAS BURNT A HOLE IN MY BACK SEAT. I'VE TRIED TO GO TO THE DEALER BUT THEY INSIST ON DOING A DIANOSTIC AND CHARGE ME $60.00 JUST TO TELL ME THE SAME THING THAT I ALREADY KNOW. THEY ALSO SAID THEY CAN'T ORDER THE PART UNTIL A DIANOSTIC WAS DONE. I'VE ALSO HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL TANK OVER FILLING AND NOT READING FULL ON THE GAUGE. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES IN 18 MONTHS.THE POWER STEERING ALSO GOES OUT QUITE FREQUENTLY. I HAVE ALSO HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT OF THE CAR. I UNDERSTAND THAT WEAR AND TEAR OCCURS ON A VEHICLE BUT THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. IAM DISSAPONTED IN KIA

NHTSA complaint #10051293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 42,000 miles Severn, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

I BOUGHT A 1998 KIA SEPHIA IN FEB OF 2000 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 GEAR SHIFTERS AND THREE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 2/3 OF THE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. MY SIGNAL LIGHT ON ONE SIDE HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED PROPERLY AND THE THE HEADLIGHT CONSTANTLY SHORTS OUT. OF COURSE NOW I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND STILL EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS AND MANY MORE I DONT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN BECAUSE ALL I'M EVER TOLD IS THAT'S A KIA FOR YOU. I STILL HAVE A LOAN OF THIS CAR AND DONT THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT ALMOST EVERY YEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER AND TRANS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD GREAT APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME BECAUSE I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WONT COME OUT OF PARK AND WHEN IT DID THE TRANS RACED WHEN REACHING 2 GEAR. THERE IS NO WAY ANYONE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THIS MUCH TROUBLE WHETHER BEING A USED CAR OR NOT. PLEASE HELP ME.

NHTSA complaint #10045388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 57,000 miles Springfield, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY:SOLENOID

I OWN A 1998 KIA SEPHIA AND EVER SINCE I HAVE HAD THIS CAR IT SOMETIMES WILL NOT START EVEN THE BATTERY IS WORKING FINE. THE DEALER REMEDY FOR THIS IS JUST REPLACE THE STARTER. I HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER SEVERAL TIMES AND THIS SEEMS TO PROVIDE A CURE TEMPORARILY. JUST RECENTLY I HAD THIS HAPPEN AGAIN... I HAD IT TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THAT HAD JUST AGAIN REPLACED THE STARTER FOR ME...THIS TIME HE TOOK THE STARTER BACK TO THE REBUILDER AND THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE STARTER...THE MECHANIC DID SOME MORE SEARCHING AND FOUND THE THE SOLENOID THAT WAS DESIGNED TO NEED A MINIMUM OF 11 VOLTS TO START WAS ONLY RECEIVING 7 VOLTS....THE MECHANIC FELT THE THIS WAS A DESIGN FAULT WITH THE CAR. THE STARTER REBUILDER RECOMMENDED THE USE OF AN ALTERNATE SOLENOID FROM AN EARLY MODEL FORD THAT ONLY REQUIRED 6 VOLTS....WITH THIS FIX THE CAR HAS BEEN STARTING VERY WELL... THE PROBLEM THAT I AM HAVING IS THAT WITH ALL OF THE KIA HIGH PAID ENGINEERS WHY COULDN'T THE FIGURE THIS OUT....

NHTSA complaint #10043005 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Centerville, MA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1999. HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS STARTING IT. REPLACED THE STARTER 3 TIMES. STILL HAVE PRBLEMS STARTING IT. 2002 DIDN'T PASS INSPECTION BECAUSE OF EXAUST, KIA DEALERSHIP WAS SUPPOSE TO FIX PROBLEM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING AND EXAUST INSPECTION FAILED AGAIN.

NHTSA complaint #10030568 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Columbia, MO Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

WHILE DRIVING SMOKE STARTED COMING FROM UNDER THE DASHBOARD, AND THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *MR *TT

NHTSA complaint #10025070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 54,469 miles Shadyside, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

THE SPARK PLUGS AND WIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE SECOND TIME IN TWO YEARS. I FEEL THIS SHOULDNOT HAPPEN SO CLOSE TOGETHER AND THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM THAT IS CAUSING IT IN THE MANUFACTURING.

NHTSA complaint #10008130 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THERE WAS A SHORT PRESENT IN THE WIRING TO THE DOME LIGHT, RADIO AND CLOCK. THE DOOR SWITCHS ALSO BURNED OUT. *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10004298 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Stockbridge, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

THE BATTERY HAD BLOWN UP AND SPEWED LIQUID/ACID. THE CONSUMER HAD RECEIVED TWO RECALLS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT, ONE IN RE: GAS VALVE AND THE OTHER WAS ELECTRICAL. THE DEALER CONTINUES TO POSTPONE THE DATES FOR REPAIR. (RECALL# 102944) SCC

NHTSA complaint #10003926 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fort Worth, TX

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

CONSUMER STATES THAT SHORTAGE IN THE WIRING THAT BURNS THE FUSE, CAUSING THE RADIO, THE DOME LIGHT, DOOR AJAR LIGHT AND OTHER COMPONENTS NOT TO WORK. HAD FUSE REPLACE 5-6TIMES. PROMBLEM STILL ACCURS. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021785 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Marietta, GA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

CONSUMER STATES VEHICLE WILL STALL W/O WARNING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE CHECKED BY DLR WHO HAS REPLACED IGNITION SWITCH AND STARTER(3X). PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURING. MR

NHTSA complaint #8021343 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bronx, NY Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING 10MPH A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD.

NHTSA complaint #8018359 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Chula Vista, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A VERY LOUD EXPLOSION AND SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD, WHEN CONSUMER STARTED THE VEHICLE, WHEN CONSUMER OPENED THE HOOD, THE ENTIRE TOP OF THE BATTERY HAD BLOWN OFF.*AK

NHTSA complaint #8017392 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

A FIRE STARTED FROM MAIN WIRING HARNESS UNDER DASH WHICH LED TO FUSE RECPTICLE UNDER HOOD. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK WHEN THE WIRING HARNESS BURNED, THE AIR BAG, THE RADIO, DASHBOARD LIGHTS, THE COOLING FAN AND THE A/C FAILED. THIS PROBLEM REOCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES. TAIL LIGHT, TURN SIGNAL, HEAD LIGHTS, STARTER AND THE ALTERNATOR ALSO FAILED AS THE RESULT OF THE WIRING HARNESS.

NHTSA complaint #8014890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ELECTRICAL WIRES HAVE BURNED UP ON THE CAR, CURRENTLY THE BLOWER WIRE HARNESS AND SPEED SELECT SWITCH HAVE MELTED AND BURNED.

NHTSA complaint #562561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Walnutport, PA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, WENT TO STOP & HAD NO BRAKES. PULLED UP ON THE EMERGENCY BRAKE, LOOKED IN REARVIEW MIRROR AND NOTICED SMOKE ALL OVER. PULLED OVER & GOT OUT QUICKLY. OPENED PASEINGER DOOR TO GET BELONGINGS & NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDERNEATH. CALLED 911. CAR WAS BURNING TREMENDOUSLY. A TOTAL LOSS. MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING, AND GOT OUT SAFELY. THIS HAPPENED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. WHAT A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, ESPECIALLY FOR A 17 YR. OLD.

NHTSA complaint #758623 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cincinnati, OH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HOOD RELEASED AND SMASHED INTO WINDSHIELD WHICH BLOCKED VISION OF DRIVER, CONSUMER FELT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS THAT CAUSE SEVERE VIBRATION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY, THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURY TO REPORT WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED.*AK BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE AND WERE NOISY, REQUESTED REAR BRAKES BE CLEANED LUBED, DEALER FOUND ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN AND EXCESSIVE DUST IN REAR BRAKES, NUMEROUS ENGINE PROBLEMS SUCH AS COOLING FAN RUMBLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE STALL, BURNING SMELL, BELT SQUEAKS, ELECTRIC COOLING FAN INOPERATIVE, FAN BLADE, PLUG WIRES AND COIL BOOTS, VALVE COVER GASKET WERE REPLACED, EVAPORATOR WAS REPLACED AND RECHARGED, MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, BATTERY TERMINAL, AND BULB FAILURE, DEALER HAS ALSO FOUND CORROSION, POOR CONNECTIONS AND LOW VOLTAGE, CONSUMER STATES NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTER, HARSH SHIFTS AND CLUNKS, DEALER REPLACED OLD STYLE FLEX PLATE, BINDING SHIFTER WHICH WAS CLEANED AND LUBED, FLUID LEAKS, DEALER REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING HOSE, MULTIPLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS MISSING WIPER ARM CAP, KEY WILL NOT OPEN TRUNK, TRUNK LEVER DOES NOT RELEASE, BROKEN TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE, LEFT REAR DOOR MOLDING COMING OFF, DEALER REPLACED TRUNK RELEASE, REINSTALLED DOOR WEATHERSTRIP, FOUND OIL LEAKS, AND UNDERCARRIAGE SHOWING SIGNS OF DAMAGE, BUBBLES IN DASH PAD, SUNVISOR COMING LOOSE, DEALER REPLACED DASH PAD, DEALER FOUND TAIL PIPE DAMAGED, BOTH FRONT AFTERMARKET TIRES (NO TIRE INFORMATION) WORN, LEFT REAR RIM BENT, REAR TIRES (NO TIRE INFORMATION) CUPPED AND FEATHERED DUE TO LACK OF ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED DEALER TO CHECK CV BOOTS FOR GREASE LEAK, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #8001511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE ELECTRICAL WIRES HAVE BURNED UP ON THE CAR, CURRENTLY THE BLOWER WIRE HARNESS AND SPEED SELECT SWITCH HAVE MELTED AND BURNED.

NHTSA complaint #562561 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN RIDDLED WITH PROBLEMS SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE, THE WIRE HARNESS MELTING AND FAILED.

NHTSA complaint #562457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

THE VEHICLE HAS STARTING PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #562457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monsui, NY

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY

VEHICLE WILL INTERMITTENTLY STALL WHILE DRIVING. IT HAPPENS AT ANY SPEED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND THE DEALER STATED THAT STARTER'S FUSE BURNED OUT.

NHTSA complaint #897070 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Miami, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS ILLUMINATED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, CCV/PSV VALVE FAILED, IGNITION COIL SHORTED, POOR CONNECTION ON GROUNDS AND CONNECTORS, THE BATTERY IS WEAK AND WILL NOT HOLD A CHARGE, DEALER REPLACED BATTERY TWICE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #562408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Kingsburg, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

INTERIOR IS FALLING APART DASH COMING UNDONE, DOOR PANEL CRACKED, CONTROL KNOBS BROKE, DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS AT FUSE BOX FAILURE WITH RELAYS CAUSING NO START, NO DEFROSTER, NO HORN, STALLING OF VECHICLE. CONCERNED OF POSSIBLE ELECTRICAL FIRE

NHTSA complaint #747058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Monsey, NY Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

IN 2 YEARS I HAD TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION, REPLACE MY BRAKES 6 TIMES, SERVICE ENGINE PROBLEMS 7 TIMES, FUEL PUMP, 8 RECALLS, WIPERS, NEW TIRES, AND MANY OTHER PROBLEMS... COPIES OF REPAIRS ARE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST. I HAVE ALSO BEEN DISCRIMINATED AGAINST BY THE DEALER MANY TIMES.

NHTSA complaint #746288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1998 KIA Sephia problems

← Full 1998 KIA Sephia report