34 of the 994 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sephia are about the lighting — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 51,587 miles.
34
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS
THE VEHICLE'S REAR BRAKE LIGHT FAILED. THE PART HAS BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THERE IS A SHORT IN CIRCUIT. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10048503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:CONCEALMENT DEVICES
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE IS WATER INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT COMPARTMENT CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER FAIRS. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #8022499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS
CONSUMER STATES RECIEVED RECALL LETTER, CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS FOR RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATES ITS BEEN A MONTH AND PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. MR
NHTSA complaint #8020931 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT, DEALER REPLACED BULB.
NHTSA complaint #562464 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
THE TURN SIGNALS FAILED.
NHTSA complaint #562457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT SOCKETS CAME APART CAUSING THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL TO BLINK FASTER THAN THE RIGHT ONE, THE RIGHT REAR BULB BURNT OUT CAUSING THE BLINKER TO BLINK FAST. NLM
NHTSA complaint #562408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN IN USE DURING COLD WEATHER FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FAILURES SINCE. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 3500 MILES. MOLDING ON THE DOORS FELL OFF AND WAS REPLACED. TAILPIPE WAS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876173 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNALS BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE; HOWEVER,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.
NHTSA complaint #875235 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR DASH AND EXTERIOR GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
LIGHTS IN THE INTERIOR DASH AND EXTERIOR GO OUT INTERMITTENTLY. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #784789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LIGHT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #782965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT FILLED WITH WATER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
I WOULD NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. HAD TO BE COMPLETLY REPLACED. BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MELTED DUE TO REASONS STILL UNKNOWN. THE BRAKES WORN PREMATURELY. NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE OTHER HASSLES I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. SOMETIMES I WISH SOMEONE WOULD JUST TAKE IT, I HATE IT SO MUCH!
NHTSA complaint #722106 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
SLIDING DOOR KEEPS AJAR, AND OVERHEAD LIGHT COME SON. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING AND THE CAR SHAKES BADLY IF I GO 65 MILES PER HOUR. I NOTICED THAT WHEN IT IS RAINING THAT THE CAR MAKES A TERRIBLE BUZZING SOUND. I AHVE HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE BRAKES REPLACED ALREADY ONCE AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #721576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
INTERIOR LIGHTING
SLIDING DOOR KEEPS AJAR, AND OVERHEAD LIGHT COME SON. BRAKES ARE SQUEALING AND THE CAR SHAKES BADLY IF I GO 65 MILES PER HOUR. I NOTICED THAT WHEN IT IS RAINING THAT THE CAR MAKES A TERRIBLE BUZZING SOUND. I AHVE HAD AN EXHAUST LEAK AND THE BRAKES REPLACED ALREADY ONCE AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED BUT I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT.
NHTSA complaint #721576 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BACK UP LIGHTS
NHTSA RECALL 99V318000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99V318000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALERSHIP HAS THE PARTS, BUT ONLY HAS 1 MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 02-182-00 FOR THE BACKUP LIGHTS, BUT NOT FOR ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER WILL TRY TO GET RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE FUEL PUMP DONE ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT.
NHTSA complaint #856572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:HIGH/LOW BEAM DIMMER SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A A DEFECT IN THE RELAY SWITCH.
NHTSA complaint #853411 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549919 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TURN SIGNAL FAILING TO OPERATE WHENEVER A/C OR HEATER ARE BEING USED.S TURN SIGNAL STOP OPERATING IF EITHER SYSTEM IS ON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND PROBLEM UNABLE TO BE CORRECTED AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #854429 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, IT WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THEN VEHICLE WOULD STOP. ALSO, ABS BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR TO DRUMS. HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE CONDENSATION, AND DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS. VEHICLE NOW ON THIRD TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE WHEN BACKING UP.
NHTSA complaint #854259 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEADLIGHT INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT
BLINKERS INOPERATIVE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #851397 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782572 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
ON TWO OCCASIONS THE FRONT HEADLIGHT FILLED WITH WATER. NLM
NHTSA complaint #782573 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL
WHENEVER FUEL IS PUMPED INTO TANK, IT WOULD SPILL BACK OUT. VEHICLE CANNOT BE COMPLETELY FILLED. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & ENTIRE FUEL TANK SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON/TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT SHOW, AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD GET MOISTURE INSIDE OF LENS.
NHTSA complaint #838337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
WHENEVER FUEL IS PUMPED INTO TANK, IT WOULD SPILL BACK OUT. VEHICLE CANNOT BE COMPLETELY FILLED. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & ENTIRE FUEL TANK SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON/TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT SHOW, AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD GET MOISTURE INSIDE OF LENS.
NHTSA complaint #838337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.