30 of the 994 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sephia are about the equipment — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 80,000 miles.
30
Complaints
2
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EQUIPMENT
1-LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INSIDE FIREWALL 2-DASHBOARD DISFIGURING 3-EXAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS NOT LASTING
NHTSA complaint #10128964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I JUST REPLACED ALL 3 BELTS ON MY CAR AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR EVERYDAY THE CAR MADE A REAL BAD GRINDING NOISE AS IF THE BELTS WERE NEVER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10048950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR ARE TERRIBLE! I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS. I EVEN GOT INTO A REAR-END ACCIDENT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO THAT I COULD HAVE AVOIDED WITH COMPETENT BRAKES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRUMS AND REAR SHOES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR FRONT BRAKES. THANKS A BUNCH KIA! WORST CAR I'VE EVER DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10000371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE SEEK BUTTON ON THE RADIO IS INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C AND DEFROST DO NOT WORK CORRECTLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #783940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILED TWICE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BRAKES,LIGHTS,SEATS,BATTERY,AIRBAGS,ODOMETER,LEAKS,AIRCONDITION,LEFTDOORHANDLE (TIRESIZE: 14`)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 14` )
NHTSA complaint #732876 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE MAKING NOISES.
NHTSA complaint #782965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BRAKES PADS/ROTORS CALIPERS WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THEY PREMATURELY WORE OUT AND CAUSED SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISES, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK AIR CONDITION FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #865751 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C VENTS BROKEN. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER LEAKING DUE TO FAULTY EVAPORATOR AND VACUUM HOSE. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551826 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SINCE THE TIME THAT I HAVE PURCHASED THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN FALLING APART. THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY SHUTTING DOWN OR IT JUST WON'T START. AT THIS PRESENT TIME MY CAR IS SITTTING AT STONEMOUNTAIN KIA WHEREAS IT IS IN NEED A THIRD BATTERY ALL WITHIN LESS THAN A YEARS TIME. EVENTHOUGH THEY KNOW THE DANGEROUS HISTORY OF THIS CAR THAT I PURCHASED NEW, THEY CONTINUALLY RETURN THE CAR TO ME WITHOUT DOING A SAFETY CHECK. I HAVE HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THEIR LOCATION SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SAME WEEK BECAUSE THEY HAVE FELLED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. ONCE AGAIN MY CAR IS CONTINUALLY SUFFERING FROM THE SAME PROBLEMS THAT ARE CONTINUING TO GROW WORST. THE AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM FAILS TO WORK PROPERLY. THE DRIVESHAFT IS ALWAYS STICKING IN THE GEARS. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CONTINUALLY BLINK AND STAY ON FOR PERIODS AT A TIME. THE EXHAUST STILL MAKING LOUD NOISE THAT I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT SINCE I BROUGHT THE CAR. THE ENGINE JERKS AND THE CAR IS BURNING A LOT OF GAS. THE BATTERY ACID CONTINUES TO LEAK OUT INTO THE CAR. THE AIR VENTS BROKE JUST FROM A SLIGHT TOUCH AND SO DID THE KNOB THAT CONTROL THE AIR CIRCULATION. THE CAR IS CONSTANTLY STALLING. THE CAR SHAKES BADLY WHEN PRESSING ON THE BRAKES. FIRESTONE REFUSES TO WORK ON KIA'S BECAUSE THEY ARE AWARE OF ALL THE FAULTY SYSTEM PERTAINING TO KIA'S. LATION
NHTSA complaint #719814 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CIGARETTE LIGHTER FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550293 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO FAULTY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE STEREO MALFUNCTIONS AFTER A RAINSTORM. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550349 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THIS CAR HAS HAD NEW TRANSMISSION/BRAKES/RADIO AND BATTERY, AND I AM WAITING ON SOMETHING NEW TO HAPPEN SOON. I BOUGHT THIS CAR BECAUSE I THOUGHT THAT MY FEET WAS NOT AAS DEPENDABLE AS A CAR..MY MISTAKE. IF THE REPAIRS KEEP UP I WILL HAVE A NEW CAR WITHOUT EVEN TRADING!!! THIS CAR GIVES NEW MEANING TO LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #717017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONTITIONER NOT COOLING VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
CIGARETTE LIGHTER INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548998 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
CD PLAYER INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548999 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONTIONER NOT COOLING VEHICLE PROPERLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
STEREO INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
A/C NOT COOLING VEHICLE PROPERLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR CONDITIONER HAS EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS, SEVERAL REPAIRS/REPLACEMENTS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO FAIL. MJS
NHTSA complaint #549409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SINCE PURCHASE DATE I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS VEHICLE STALLING IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BRAKES. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES FAILED AT 5560 MILES, REPLACEMTS AT 7520 MILES, AGAIN AT 10750 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE AND I AM AFRAID AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #712682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
SINCE PURCHASE DATE I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS SUCH AS VEHICLE STALLING IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY, ENGINE LIGHT STAYING ON, RADIO, AIR CONDITIONER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY THE BRAKES. THE ORIGINAL BRAKES FAILED AT 5560 MILES, REPLACEMTS AT 7520 MILES, AGAIN AT 10750 MILES. THIS IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE AND I AM AFRAID AN ACCIDENT WILL OCCUR.
NHTSA complaint #712682 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WE HAVE REPLACED THE ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS 4 TIMES AND THE DRUMS ONCE. THE CAR HAS DIFFICULTY STARTING AND TAKING OFF. VARIOUS PROBLEMS CONCERNING MINOR PROBLEMS, SEAT CUSHION , LIGHTER, A/C, GAS SPEWING BACK OUT OF TANK ETC. OUR MAJOR CONCERN IS THE BRAKING SYSTEM WHICH STARTED SIX WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE AND HASN'T ENDED YET. THE KIA REPRESENTATIVE IS UNCOOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #705655 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.