39 of the 749 complaints about the 1999 KIA Sephia are about the airbag system — 5% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 65,000 miles.
39
Complaints
31
Crashes
1
Fires
19
Injuries
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
AIR BAGS
FAX ON BEHALF OF, RE AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1999 KIA SEPHIA THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE BACK BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *KB
NHTSA complaint #10208320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A COLLISION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARD DURING THE COLLISION. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED , NO REPAIRS MADE.
NHTSA complaint #10151864 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSTANT REPAIR AND FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS STARTING TWO WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND CAN NOT BE KEPT MAINTAINED FOR SAFETY OR RELIABILITY IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 21000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND A MAJORITY OF REPAIRS HAS HAD TO BE FIXED. 4 STARTERS, IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS (IGNITION STILL DOESN'T WORK), AIR BAG SENSOR, AIR BAG WIRING (AIR BAGS STILL DOES NOT WORK), ALTERNATOR, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE AXEL BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, RIGHT PASSENGER BALL JOINT FELL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKE CYLINDER WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES, AND HAS LEFT ME AND MY CHILDREN STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE CAR IS STILL IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THE DRIVER REAR STABILIZER BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRIVE AXEL NEEDS REPLACED, THE AIR BAGS STILL DO NOT WORK, THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL GETS STUCK AND WON'T TURN OVER, AND TWO WEEKS AGO A PISTON WAS THROWN THROUGH THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY LEAVING ME STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND A CAR THAT IS NOT WORTH FIXING.
NHTSA complaint #10147054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
I HAD A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.I HIT FULL ON THE FRONT END AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THE FRAME WAS BENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.
NHTSA complaint #10104603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION.
NHTSA complaint #10090395 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1999 KIA SEPHIA WITH 61,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH ALSO SELLS AND SERVICES FORDS) ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $50 TO $100, WHICH I AUTHORIZED. A FEW HOURS LATER THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND TOLD ME TO FORGET IT. DUE TO A TOTALLY BIZARRE DESIGN, THE HORN IS INTEGRATED INTO THE AIRBAG UNIT AND FIXING THE HORN REQUIRES REPLACING THE ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY. THE COST: $650 FOR THE PART AND $150 LABOR, TOTAL $800. IF THE HORN DESIGN WERE NORMAL, HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE COST LESS THAN $100. I CALLED KIA OF AMERICA CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND OFFERED TO PAY $100, THE NORMAL AMOUNT, TOWARD THE REPAIR. THEY DECLINED AS THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND SAID THAT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY THE FULL COST MYSELF. I HAD PLACED THE CAR ON SALE JUST BEFORE THE HORN WENT BAD AND HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO SELL IT AS NOBODY WANTS TO BUY A CAR WITHOUT A HORN. ALSO, IT IS DANGEROUS TO DRIVE A CAR WITHOUT A WARNING SIGNAL IN CASE OF DANGER.
NHTSA complaint #10070685 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10039789 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM
NHTSA complaint #10019758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
WHILE TRAVELING AT 35 MPH, CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. CONSUMER STATED NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO PROBLEMS PRIOR WITH AIRBAGS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #10003653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
FRONT CRASH AT 15 MPH AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DRIVER HIT HEAD ON STEERING WHEEL, AND PASSENGER'S HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #8018087 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SINCE THE DEALERSHIP TURNED OFF THE AIRBAG SYSTEM CAUSE THE MODULE IS DEFECTIVE AND THEY DON'T HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART SHOULD I HAVE BEEN GIVING A FREE LOANER CAR FOR THE SAFETY RELATED DEFECT ON A CAR THAT IS STANDARD EQUIPMENT.
NHTSA complaint #759653 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE HAD A RECALL ON JANUARY OF 2000 FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.AFTER THAT WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON THAT WAS DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,WISH IN FACT HAD TO BE REPAIR TWICE AND REPLACE ONCE.ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON DUE TO ALTERNATOR PROBLEM ON 02/05/2002,ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACE.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE MATTER OF FACT THE CAR SHOULB BE UNDER THE LEMON LAW.THANK YOU.
NHTSA complaint #758552 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CAR FLIPPED OVER FOUR TIMES AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, SAFETY BELT SAVED MY DAUGHTER'S LIFE.
NHTSA complaint #748939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #886265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. *AK
NHTSA complaint #886265 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH FRONT LEFT SIDE, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.
NHTSA complaint #884861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
VEHICLE WAS CAUGHT IN A CHAIN REACTION AND REAR-ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE, THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED INJURIES. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #881748 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH ,REARENED ANOTHER VEHICLE ,DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSING INJURIES. CAUSE UNKNOWN.
NHTSA complaint #881763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING 35MPH AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO WHEEL WELL ON PASSENGER'S RIGHT SIDE. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. DEALER SUGGESTED THAT ONSUMER CALL NHTSA. THEY DIDN'T OFFER TO INSPECT VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS CONTACTING MANUFACTURER TO INSIST THAT THEY INSPECT VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #879255 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY, 9 PEOPLE WERE INJURED IN ACCIDENT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #876030 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG PROBLEMS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG PROBLEMS. NLM
NHTSA complaint #553673 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
BRAKES WENT OUT AFTER BEING APPLIED. WAS TRAVELING 30MPH & WAS TRYING TO STOP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. REARENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT. UPON UMPACT, AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOWED HOME.
NHTSA complaint #873652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY, THE FRONT SEAT BROKE, THE REAR WHEEL BROKE OFF CAUSING THE ACCIDENT. THE TRUNK ENDED UP IN THE BACK SEAT.
NHTSA complaint #731875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS
AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THE LISTED AUTO STRUCK SEVEN OTHER VEHICKLE'S, ROLLED AND LANDED ON IT'S SIDE. THE AUTO WAS TOTALLED AND THE DRIVER WAS HOPITALIZED. A COPY OF THE ACCIDENT REPORT CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST.
NHTSA complaint #731705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ON THE BELTWAY CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO STOP VEHICLE ON HEAVY TRAFFIC BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP. THE CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE PEDAL AND THE PEDAL HIT THE FLOOR WITHOUT STOPPING. THE CONSUMER SERVED TO THE SIDE TO SLOW THE VEHICLE DOWN AND COAST. THE CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKES ALREADY REPLACED AT 9,000. ALSO, BRAKE FAILURE CAUSED CONSUMER INTO AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT. PER DEALER, MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF BRAKE PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #864941 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A 30 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION IN WHICH DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #859954 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHEN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE OF ANOTHER VEHICLE, THERE WAS NO DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS. VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 10-15 MPH WHEN CRASH HAPPENED. VEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED. ALSO, BRAKE ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED TWICE , ONCE AT 3,000 MILES, AND AGAIN AT 6,000 OR 7,000 MILES. HOWEVER, BRAKE ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN.
NHTSA complaint #859389 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS HIT FROM THE REAR AND SIDE, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #858975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
WHILE DRIVING ON ROAD, TRAVELING 55MPH AND UP, AHEAD THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT. THE VEHICLE IN FRONT STOPPED TO LOOK AT THE ACCIDENT THAT ALREADY ACCURRED. DRIVER WASN'T PAYING ATTENTION AND REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #855807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.