29 of the
994 complaints about the 1998 KIA Sephia are about the
other systems — 3% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
41,596 miles.
SINCE MAY OF 2002, THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP 9 TIMES AND OF THIS DATE IT IS STILL THERE. FIRST THEY SAID IT WAS FUSES. ACTUALLY IT HAS NEVER RUN OR STARTED RIGHT. IT HAD TO BE TOWED AT LEAST 4 TIMES. THE LAST TIME THAT IT WENT IN WAS 8/5/03, THEY FIXED THE WATER PUMP, BELTS, CRANK PULLEY. THIS WAS ALL UNDER WARRANTY. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR IT MADE A TERRIBLE SOUND. THEY SAID IT WAS THE NEW BELTS. SO I DROVE IT HOME AND 2 DAYS LATER IT?S BACK IN THERE. THE NEXT DAY SABRINA CALLED AND SAID THAT IT WAS THE AIR CONDITIONER COMPRESSOR. IT WAS GOING TO COST ME OVER 600.00 TO FIX IT. I HAVE A LIMITED INCOME OF 535.00 A MONTH, AM DISABLED AND IF THE CAR BROKE DOWN I DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO.. THE CAR IS STILL AT KIA DEALER SHIP, THAT'S AS OF TODAY.
NHTSA complaint #10070149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 85,490 milesSnohomish, WA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COMPUTER SYSTEM FAILURE FOR KIA SEPHIA THAT CONTROL AIR INTAKE, EMISSION. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10014474 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 19,830 milesGreenville, SC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
PRE OWNED VEHICLE PURCHASED IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. AT PURCHASE FRONT OF DASHBOARD WAS SLIGHTLY WARPED. SINCE PURCHASE, FRONT OF DASHBOARD HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WARPED, DEFROST VENTS ARE SEVERELY CRACKED, CAUSING FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #10008300 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Cincinnati, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Edingurg, TX
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
DASHBOARD IS LIFTING UP AND AFFECTING FRONTAL AIR BAG ON PASSENGERS SIDE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK *SLC
NHTSA complaint #897889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clevland, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT WOULD FLASH, SECOND TIME VEHICLE JUST QUIT, THIS WAS SECOND TRANSMISSION VEHICLE HAS HAD.
NHTSA complaint #887551 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Baltimore, MDFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I ALSO HAD TO BRING THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE 5 TIMES FOR THE SME PROBLEM. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON 02/06/99 TOOK CAR IN BECAUSE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEY FOUND CODE PO 440 FOR EVAP EMISSIONS SYSTEM MALFUNCTION THEY FOUND HOSE THAT RUBBED AGAINST BRACKET CREATED LEAK 02/27/99 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AND SMELL GAS FUMES FOUND ENGINE SURGES AND HARD TO START PERFORMED G300 GROUND WIRE REPAIR UNDER DRIVERS SEAT TO CORRECT PROBLEM 03/15/99 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN CODE PO172 REPLACED DEFECTIVE MASS AIR FLOW METER SOLENOID VALVE DURING ROAD TEST ENGINE MISFIRE #3 SPARK PLUG FOULED REPLACED PLUGS 03/10/99 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN CODES PO270,P1505,PO0300 INJECTOR CIRCUIT TO LOW , RANDOM MISFIRE THEY FOUND EGIHARNESS WAS CUT AND PINCED GOING THROUGH FIREWALL REPLACED ECI HARNESS & CONTROL UNIT CAR WOULD NOT START AFTER CHECK OVER FOUND NO POWER TO STARTER SOLENOID. FOUND NEW HARNESS MISSING A WIRE REPLACED WIRE. THE CAR WAS A LEMON, KIA REFUSED TO TAKE CAR BACK.
NHTSA complaint #743838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mobile, AL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
FRONT OF DASHBOARD HAS WARPED, AND DEFROST VENTS ARE CRAKCED CAUSING DEFROST ON FRONT WINDSHIELD TO NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY.
NHTSA complaint #740661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kissimmee, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Miami, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
CONSUMER HAD FOUND OUT THAT DASHBOARD WAS LIFTING UP AND OUT VEHICLE. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER WHERE THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAAS CAUSING LIFTING, AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #877559 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Perry, UT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE LIGHT FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #782965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Horsham, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1999, I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE ENGIN LT STAYING ON; STILL ON AND NOT REPAIRED. LT WOULD BE BACK ON THE SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP; BRAKES NEEDED FOR INSPECTION; NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY; SQUEEKY AND WHOLE FRONT END MAKES NOISES WHEN YOU TOUCH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP.
NHTSA complaint #725295 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Palmetto, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HEADLINER REPLACED, HEAT CAUSED SAGGING AND FALLING OFF. *MJS
NHTSA complaint #552123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Clinton, LACrash1 injured
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #722324 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Worcester, MA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, TRANSMISSION STICK SHIFT KEPT STICKING, AND ENGINE HEAD GASKET BLEW OUT. DEALERSHIP REPLACED ENGINE HEAD GASKET AND STICK SHIFT.
NHTSA complaint #859104 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Crete, IL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I REPORTED THIS TO KIA AND TRIED TO TRADE THE CAR, BUT KIA WOULD NOT MAKE AN EVEN TRADE THEY WANTED ME TO FINANCE THE NEW CAR WHICH WOULD HAVE PUT ME UP SIDE DOWN WITH FINANCING. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED.
NHTSA complaint #717624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FT Ritchey, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Nashvilee, TN
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT/AIR BAG LIGHTS ARE ON. CAR WILL NOT START, ALSO, THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES, PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, CONSUMER ALMOST HAD A COLLISION.
NHTSA complaint #854026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
REAR MOLDING WARPED. NLM
NHTSA complaint #548996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WEATHERSTRIP CAME OFF. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549011 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gulfport, MS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
VEHICLE WEATHERSTRIPING CAMING OFF. NLM
NHTSA complaint #549026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sarasota, FL
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #714649 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Virginia Beach, VA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE UP VEHICLE DOESN'T START UP PROPERLY. ALSO, WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND APPLYING THE BRAKES, THEY GO HALF WAY TO THE FLOORBOARD, AND VEHICLE JERKS. IN ADDITION, COMPUTER CHIP/ GEAR SHIFT MALFUNCTIONED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN INTO THE SHOP OVER TEN TIMES. AIR BAG LIGHT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEP COMING ON. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #850755 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
E. Hartford, CT
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
WAS STARTING TO SLOW DOWN & HAD PRESSED BRAKE PEDAL. HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. PRESSED HARDER & VEHICLE WAS NOT SLOWING DOWN.AGAIN PRESSED LIGHTLY & VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO STOP. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER & MECHANIC INFORMED DRIVER OWNER ENTIRE BRAKING SYSTEM NEEDED REPLACING. THIS WAS THE 5TH TIME IT HAPPENED. ALSO, VEHICLE WOULD NOT TURN OVER WHEN STARTING. HEARD CLICKING NOISE. NEEDED 4 TRIES TO START. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON.
NHTSA complaint #850496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NEW London, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
HAS BEEN IN 17 TIMES AND STILL NEED BRAKES AND EVERYTHING ELSE. WHAT A PIECE OF JUNK !!MANUFACTOR REFUSES TO HONOR WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #713110 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Painesville, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
BREAK PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3000 MILES WHEN CAR IS TAKEN IN FOR OIL CHANGE. I COULD NOT FILL THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY WHEN I FIRST PURCHASED THE CAR BECAUSE THE AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF. GAS TANK AND FLOAT VALVE WERE REPLACED AFTER WAITING A MONTH FOR THE PARTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD STAY ON AND O/D OFF LIGHT WOULD FLASH, CALLED DEALER AND HAD TO WAIT A WEEK FOR APPOINTMENT. DEALER STATED NEW COUPLING WAS NEEDED. WAITED MONTH FOR PART. WHEN I WENT TO PICK UP CAR, DEALER STATED IT NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION INSTEAD. I WAITED TWO WEEKS FOR PARTS. NOW CAR IS AT DEALERSHIP AGAIN BECAUSE IT WILL NOT START. LIGHTS, HORN, RADIO, ETC. STILL OPERATE
NHTSA complaint #708778 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Gorham, ME
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM. DEALER HAS RESET THE COMPUTER SYSTEM WHICH DID NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA complaint #833840 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Stubenville, OH
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON, AND THE ENGINE CUTS OFF INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING LOSS OF POWER STEERING. DEALER SAYS GAS PEDAL IS BEING APPLIED TOO HARD.
NHTSA complaint #833422 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Washington, DC
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WIT VEHICLE. THE HORN, BRAKES, ENGINE CHECK LIGHT, AND GAS LIGHTS HAS BEEN MALFUNCTIONING. WHEN THEY PUT IN GASOLINE IN VEHICLE, IT SHOOTS BACK OUT AND THE GAS LIGHT CONTINUES TO ILLUMINATE. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
NHTSA complaint #830473 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.