65 of the
994 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sephia are about the
fuel system — 7% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
74,250 miles.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 99V317000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN SERVICED FOR THE RECALL IN 1999. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HANSON KIA (2300 CARRIAGE LOOP SW, OLYMPIA, WA 98502, (360) 943-2120) AND WAS INFORMED THAT A DIAGNOSTIC TEST NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #11281090 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 108,083 milesMagna, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT HIS VEHICLE WOULD PERIODICALLY FAIL TO START. ON ONE OCCASION, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP. A FEW WEEKS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MECHANIC CHANGED THE FUEL PUMP RELAY, BUT THE FAILURE STILL OCCURRED. THE MECHANIC REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBERS 99V317000 AND 99V318000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) AND SHOWED THE CONTACT A WIRE IN THE FUEL SYSTEM THAT WAS NOT INSULATED AND HAD BEEN OVERHEATING. ONCE THE WIRE WAS REMOVED, THE FAILURE SEEM TO BE RESOLVED. THE MECHANIC REPLACED ALL THE WIRES AND CONNECTORS AND RE-SAUTERED EVERYTHING. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE RECALL REPAIR WAS ALREADY PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT ASSIST. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 109,250 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,083.
NHTSA complaint #10261658 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 83,500 milesFontana, CA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
FLASHING OVERDRIVE DASH LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUALLY LIT DUE TO FAULTY PRESSURE SENSOR AT FUEL INJECTOR.
NHTSA complaint #10151084 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Vernal, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE'S FUEL GAUGE AS WELL AS VEHICLE HOLDING FUEL.*LA
NHTSA complaint #10061016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesFT Hood, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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 milesFT Hood, TXFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
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 48,000 milesAcworth, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
I PAID TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM FIXED BUT I PROBABLY SHOULDN'T HAVE HAD TO. WHEN REFUELING MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA, THERE WAS A SMALL AMOUNT OF GASOLINE THAT WOULD SPILL ON THE GROUND UNDER THE FUEL TANK--WHETHER I COMPLETELY FILL THE VEHICLE OR SIMPLY PUT A GALLON OR TWO IN THE TANK. I COULD NOT PUT MY CAR IN THE GARAGE AT NIGHT BECAUSE I WAS AFRAID THAT THE GAS WATER HEATER WOULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION--THE LINGERING FUMES WOULD EXIST FOR A DAY OR TWO AFTER EACH VISIT TO THE GAS PUMP.
NHTSA complaint #10043394 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stockbridge, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
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.
Etters, PA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE FUEL TANK CRACK CAUSING FLUID TO LINK OUT. DEALER NOTIFIED TS
NHTSA complaint #8021981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Lakewood, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
BROKEN VAPOR HOSE ON TOP OF TANK BROKE CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE AND CAUSED A BAD SMELL OF GAS TO ENTER THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #562464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pompano Beach, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS
FUEL TANK WILL ONLY FILL UP 95% OF FUEL CAPACITY. A RECALL 00V175000 DEALT WITH SAME PROBLEM. BUT, THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #898636 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miami, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
THE FUEL CAP WAS LOOSE BECAUSE THE CAP SEAL WAS MISSING, AS A RESULT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Monsey, NYCrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V175000, AND HAD IT REPAIRED IN DECEMBER 2000. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AS THOUGH IT WAS NEVER FIXED. WHEN TANK IS FULL GAS SPITS OUT. DEALER ISN'T RESPONDING TO RECALL.*AK TANK MAKES A THUMPING SOUND WHEN GAS IS PUT IN VEHICLE, AND BEGIN TO START VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE THAT IT MAY EXPLODE.*JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-006
NHTSA complaint #888777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
RIO Hondo, TX
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 00V175000, AND HAD IT REPAIRED IN DECEMBER 2000. PROBLEM HAS REOCCURRED AS THOUGH IT WAS NEVER FIXED. WHEN TANK IS FULL GAS SPITS OUT. DEALER ISN'T RESPONDING TO RECALL.*AK TANK MAKES A THUMPING SOUND WHEN GAS IS PUT IN VEHICLE, AND BEGIN TO START VEHICLE, CONSUMER STATES SHE IS SCARED TO DRIVE VEHICLE THAT IT MAY EXPLODE.*JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-006
NHTSA complaint #888777 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Carver, MA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
11 MAJOR FAILURES WITH MY VEHICLE. NOT ALL ARE LISTED IN THIS COMPLAINT. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #744591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Spring, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED W/42K MILES. I HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TPS SINCE 2MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I HAVE HAD IT IN THE KIA REPAIR SHOP 8 TIMES AND HAVE SPENT OVER $1500.00 IN REPAIRS, TOWING AND RENTAL CARS. I HAVE HAD IT TOWED 3 TIMES. IT HAS HAD A NEW COMPUTER, NEW SENSORS, NEW DISTRIBUTION CENTER AND NEW CIRCUIT CONNECTORS INSTALLED, IN ADDITION TO ALL OF THE FUEL RELATED SAFETY RECALL PARTS. I WOULD NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO MY WORST ENEMY. KIA CONSUMER ASSISTANCE IS CLUELESS---THIS MAKE AND MODEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED COMPLETELY! I AM IN THE PROCESS OF FILING LEMON LAW AND AM COMPLETELY DISGUSTED WITH THIS CAR, AS WELL AS THE COMPANY.
NHTSA complaint #740713 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
I HAD THE CAR FOR LESS THAN 10 HOURS WHEN IT DIED ON THE ROAD, FUEL PUMP REPLACED, ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM REPAIR SHOP
NHTSA complaint #738731 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Milton, VT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON GAS GAUGE. AFTER TAKING IT IN GAS GAUGE DID NOT GO TO FULL. CURRENTLY, GAS GAUGE STILL DOES NOT GO TO FULL. JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL LETTER FOR PCV VALVE.
NHTSA complaint #875079 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
FUEL GAUGE FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #782965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clevland, OHFire
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
CONSUMER HAD RECALL 99V317000/ FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR FIXED ON JANUARY 3, 2000 . VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD & CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, BUT CONSUMER HASN'T HEARD ANYTHING.
NHTSA complaint #866603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Warwick, RICrash
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
CONTACTED LAWYER AND SUED FOR REFUND WHICH I GOT!!!!! LEMON LAW. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY.
NHTSA complaint #725129 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Atlanta, GA
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM
THIS FIRST CAR WAS TO BE TRANSPORTATION TO WORK/SCHOOL BUT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE A FEW DAYS OFF THE LOT. NOW IT IS UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE DUE TO A MALFUNCTION THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK CONSTANTLY AND STALL IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE, DO NOT BUY A KIA. IT WILL BE A SERIOUS WASTE OF RESOURCES.
NHTSA complaint #725391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbus, OH
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP RELAY FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #784683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Brigham City, UT
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
REFUEL SPIT-BACK. FUEL WILL SPIT OUT OF FUEL TANK UPON REFUELING THE CAR. FUEL WILL USUALLY SPIT OUT WHEN TANK IS 3/4 FULL (AVG OF 6.3 GAL.) HOWEVER, WILL SPIT BACK AT 1/2 GAL. AS WELL. PAINT BENEATH GAS FILL PORT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DISOLVED, BODY DAMAGE ALSO OCCURRING.
NHTSA complaint #723585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmetto, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
SENDING UNIT SHORTED OUT CAUSING THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Elmira, NY
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
DENIED RECALL REPAIR DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. (99V-318) *MJS
NHTSA complaint #550666 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Colts Neck, NJ
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
THE OWNER RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE ON FUEL PUMP, BUT THE DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO TO FIX IT (99V-317). YH
NHTSA complaint #550982 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Oklahoma City, OK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
RECALLED FUEL PUMP CIRCUIT CONNECTIONS CAN NOT BE COMPLETED DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #550983 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Portland, OR
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP FAILED. YH
NHTSA complaint #551042 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.