FaultScore

1999 KIA Sephia engine problems

109 of the 749 complaints about the 1999 KIA Sephia are about the engine — 15% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 65,000 miles.

F

109

Complaints

2

Crashes

37

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Gasoline 67 61.5%
Engine 19 17.4%
Cooling System 6 5.5%
Exhaust System 5 4.6%
GAS Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) 2 1.8%
Manifold/Header/Muffler/Tail Pipe 2 1.8%
Emission Control 2 1.8%
FAN 2 1.8%
Radiator Assembly 1 0.9%
Belts AND Associated Pulleys 1 0.9%

Engine & Cooling across every KIA Sephia year

1995 10 2.6%
1996 19 4.9%
1997 47 12.0%
1998 128 32.7%
1999 109 27.9%
2000 52 13.3%
2001 26 6.6%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 162,000 miles Mount Vernon, NY

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

NHTSA complaint #10733219 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 140,000 miles Sevierdille, TN Crash

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO SHUTTING OFF, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY AND THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB. THE CV AXLE JOINT WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA complaint #10224672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Florissant, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

I OWN A 1999 KIA SEPHIA AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT AT SCHOOL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT KIA WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CASE REF NBR IS K1085742. MANY REASON WERE GIVEN, ALL RELATING TO A MANUAL ENGINE FLUSH, COOLANT FLUSH,ETC. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THE SELECTED MAINTENANCE ITEM. MY DAUGHTER SHOULD NOT HAVE PAID FOR THE CONVERTER. (ALSO THEY ARE ABOUT 50% OF THEIR COST ON THE OPEN MARKET).

NHTSA complaint #10171445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cadyville, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

1999 SEPHIA BRAKES, TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE EXHAUST SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TS THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTERPIPE OF THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE LOUD. THE PART IS A PIECE OF FLEXIBLE HOUSING. THE PART COULD NOT BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE PIPE. THE PART WAS REPLACED BUT SPLIT AGAIN THREE MORE TIMES. *NM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND GAS LEAKAGE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

NHTSA complaint #10159458 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,200 miles Aledo, IL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

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.

at 78,000 miles Cotati, CA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:BELTS AND ASSOCIATED PULLEYS

1) AIR CONDITIONER HOSES DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE 2) CAR RATTLES AND MAKES NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK AREA, TAKEN TO DEALER REPEATEDLY WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM 3) CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND AT DANGEROUS TIMES, TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE THE CAR FAILED COMPLETELY AND THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM 4) REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STICKS AND RATTLES, TAKEN TO DEALER UN-REPAIRABLE 5) REAR DOOR LOOK DOES NOT WORK, TAKEN TO DEALER REPAIRED BUT NOW IT DOESN'T WORK YET AGAIN 6) ENGINE LIGHT ON, TOLD BY DEALER THE GAS CAP WASN'T TIGHT ENOUGH 7) POWER LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE AT INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR 8) ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING, NO IDEA WHAT PROBLEM IS THIS TIME CONTACTED KIA AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT KIA COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST OWNER IN FIXING OWNER. THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT AND DO NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TO BUY A KIA UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.

NHTSA complaint #10146137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

LIGHTS ARE BLINKING OFF AND ON CONSTANTLY WHEN I DRIVING AT NIGHT. I WENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN WILLIAMSBURG. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THAT IT WILL TAKE THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS. THAT I WOULD BE CHARGE BY THE HOUR. I WAS SO UPSET I LEFT THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY CHARGE ME 350 DOLLARS AND MY CAR WAS NOT FIX. I WAS TOTALLY RIP OFF BY THEM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT SAME DAY TO FIX MY AIR CONDITIONER DUE TO IT WAS SHUTTING OFF AND ON WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. WHEN I USING THE GAS PEDAL MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKS AND THEN WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THAT AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF. THE KIA DEALER DID NOT HAVE CLUE WHAT TO DO>>>>HELP!!IT ALSO DOING THIS WITH THE HEAT ALSO.....I NOT SURE ON THE EXACT DATE OF SERVICE. I WILL FIND RECEIPT AND BANK STATEMENTS TO GO ALONG WITH THIS.

NHTSA complaint #10136277 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Chandler, AZ

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, APPROXIMATELY 70,00 MILES ON MY CAR, THE AC/HEATER FAN MOTOR WILL BLOW AIR INTERMITTENTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE FAN'S SPEED SETTING. EVENTUALLY, THE FAN STOPS BLOWING ALL TOGETHER. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #10135238 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Depew, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V317000; KIA ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING EVEN AFTER REPAIR. THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE ON.

NHTSA complaint #10111683 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coca, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

AIR INTAKE MANIFOLD CAUGHT ON FIRE.

NHTSA complaint #10008888 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 594 miles West DES Moines, IA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE (EGR VALVE)

CONSUMER HAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH 1999 KIA SEPHIA. NAR 07/21/2003.*MR TRANSMISSION, REAR BLINKERS, BRAKE PADS, FUEL PUMP AND VALVE.

NHTSA complaint #10030046 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Combes, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REBUILT. *PH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING. NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CONSUMER CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. THE STARTER WAS ALSO REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10071557 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Selma, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THERE WAS AN ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT/ DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA complaint #10052230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Freemansburg, PA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. *MR *CB *NLM

NHTSA complaint #10029424 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Palisades Park, NJ Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

WHILE DRIVING, THE CONSUMER HEARD A NOISE AND PULLED OVER, THE CONSUMER WAS THEN INFORMED BY A PASSING MOTORIST, THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. *TS

NHTSA complaint #10026154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 65,000 miles Baytown, TX

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

REPEATED PROBLEM WITH BATTERY. REPLACED 3 TIMES. NEVER LIKED TO START, ALWAYS SHIMMIED.RETURNED TO DEALER FOR TUNE UP. CAR WAS RETURNED WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAT TURNED IN WITH. CAR WOULDN'T KEEP A CONSTANT GAS FLOW.*AK TRADED IT IN AND THE DEALER SAID THE MOTOR WAS BAD AND HEADED FOR A TOTAL BREAK DOWN. WHEN IT DIED - IT WAS THREE YEARS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #10026058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Atlanta, GA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE

CONSUMER STATED THE RESONATOR SEPARATED AT THE SEAM AND COULD CAUSE VEHICLE FUMES. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT, AND WAS NOT DAMAGED WITH NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. SCC

NHTSA complaint #10001956 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Boonville, MO

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING THE BRAKES FAILED, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE STOPPED BY PULLING THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AT WHICH TIME THE CONSUMER NOTICED A FIRE UNDER THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE, POSSIBLY BRAKE OR ENGINE FAILURE. NLM

NHTSA complaint #568217 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Satsuma, AL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

THIS VEHICLE JUST TURNS OFF DURING DRIVING - STALLS OUT AT ANY TIME. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED INTO DEALERSHIP 2 TIMES, ONLY TO DRIVE OFF BOTH TIMES AND BREAK DOWN. IT'S IN THE SHOP NOW FOR THE THIRD TIME. THEY SAID IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP (REPLACED, STILL STALLS), THEN THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS (REPLACED, STILL STALLS), NOW THE WIRING HARNESS. TOO DANGEROUS TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THEY DON'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT'S WRONG. I'M SCARED TO DRIVE IT AFTER I'VE BEEN VIRTUALLY RUN OVER WHEN THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. DT

NHTSA complaint #769684 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Cincinnati, OH

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT 30,000, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT EVENTUALLY THERE WOULD BE PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE, CONSUMER STATED IT TOOK NUMEROUS TIRES TO GET THE VEHICLE TO START. TS

NHTSA complaint #8021280 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Brooklyn, NY

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

ON FOUR OCCASIONS THE IGNITION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. NLM

NHTSA complaint #567727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowie, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 20-5359-685. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900582 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cocoa, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING, ANOTHER MOTORIST ADVISED CONSUMER TO PULL OVER AS THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE, BLACK SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF THE VEHICLE, VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 59-V905-624. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900583 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Bowie, MD Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

INSURED STATES THAT THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. CLAIM NUMBER 20-5359-665.

NHTSA complaint #6900906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cocoa, FL Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE THE INSURED WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS DUE TO FIRE. CLAIM NUMBER 59-V905-624.

NHTSA complaint #6900907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pensacola, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE NOISES, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN POORLY. NLM

NHTSA complaint #563261 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baton Rouge, LA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 18-0585-289. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Savannah, GA Fire 1 injured

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING,CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE, THEN A FIRE STARTED UNDERNEATH THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, ONE PERSON WAS INJURED IN ACCIDENT, CLAIM 11-3827-188. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900585 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Charleston, SC Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

WHILE DRIVING, ENGINE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT AND SPREAD TO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 40-2480-791. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900588 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dupont, WA Fire

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

CONSUMER HAD FILLED VEHICLE UP WITH GAS, UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT BEGAN TO SMOKE UNDER THE HOOD AND WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED, THERE WAS A FIRE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, CLAIM 02-0422-914. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #6900590 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 KIA Sephia problems

← Full 1999 KIA Sephia report