FaultScore

1999 KIA Sephia headlight problems

19 of the 749 complaints about the 1999 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 15,000 miles.

B

19

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Headlights 6 31.6%
Flasher Unit 3 15.8%
Interior Lighting 2 10.5%
Turn Signal 2 10.5%
Hazard Flashing Warning Lights 2 10.5%
Exterior Lighting 1 5.3%
Tail Lights 1 5.3%
Brake Lights 1 5.3%
Switch 1 5.3%

Lights across every KIA Sephia year

1998 34 53.1%
1999 19 29.7%
2000 11 17.2%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

at 7 miles Coquille, OR

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT AIMED CORRECTLY. WHEN YOU TURN THE HIGH BEAMS ON THEY SHINE TO THE LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND HAVE THEM ON THE RIGHT HALF OF THE LANE YOU ARE IN THE DARK BECAUSE THE AIM OF THE HIGH BEAMS ARE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE IF ANYTHING OR ANYONE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE LANE WHEN YOU GO AROUND A RIGHT CORNER OR CURVE. I HAVE TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DUE TO HOW THE HEADLAMPS WERE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED.

NHTSA complaint #10153385 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsburg, VA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

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 15,000 miles Wadley, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS

THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD REPEATEDLY. BATTERY LEAKED. BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE ENTIRE CAR AT 60,000 MILES. THE VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAVE POPPED UP AND BROKEN. NOW THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE SEAMS ON THE SEAT COME UNDONE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER BROKE AND FLOPS IN THE DASH. THE SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS BROKEN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BROKE WHEN REPLACING THE STRUTS WHICH YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BACK DASH TO GET TO. THE BOARD THAT IS UNDER THE CARPET IN THE TRUNK WARPED. THE CARPETS CAME UP FROM THE SIDES OF THE CAR. THE STORAGE BIN IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE, TWICE. THE WIND SHIELD CHIPS AND ERRODES WHEN IN A CAR WASH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD IN THIS BAD SHAPE BEFORE. THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT STAY DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A BAD SEAL AND THERE IS WATER NOW IN THEM. THE RUBBER AROUND THE DOORS COMES OUT REPEATEDLY. GEAR SHIFTER IS CONTINUALLY STUCK. BRAKES TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO STOP MY CAR AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I HAVE TO DRIVE 2 & 1/2 HOURS TO GET REPAIRS. THE GAS MILAGE IS CLOSER TO 24 MPG THEN THE 35 THAT WAS MARKED ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THERE ARE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT ARE LOUD AND UNPLEASANT. THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE THAT IS BAD THEY WANT $75 AN HOUR MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS TO REPAIR IT. THE FUSE PANEL COVER BROKE. THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ALLIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #10093527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Wadley, AL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD REPEATEDLY. BATTERY LEAKED. BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE ENTIRE CAR AT 60,000 MILES. THE VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAVE POPPED UP AND BROKEN. NOW THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE SEAMS ON THE SEAT COME UNDONE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER BROKE AND FLOPS IN THE DASH. THE SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS BROKEN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BROKE WHEN REPLACING THE STRUTS WHICH YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BACK DASH TO GET TO. THE BOARD THAT IS UNDER THE CARPET IN THE TRUNK WARPED. THE CARPETS CAME UP FROM THE SIDES OF THE CAR. THE STORAGE BIN IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE, TWICE. THE WIND SHIELD CHIPS AND ERRODES WHEN IN A CAR WASH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD IN THIS BAD SHAPE BEFORE. THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT STAY DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A BAD SEAL AND THERE IS WATER NOW IN THEM. THE RUBBER AROUND THE DOORS COMES OUT REPEATEDLY. GEAR SHIFTER IS CONTINUALLY STUCK. BRAKES TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO STOP MY CAR AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I HAVE TO DRIVE 2 & 1/2 HOURS TO GET REPAIRS. THE GAS MILAGE IS CLOSER TO 24 MPG THEN THE 35 THAT WAS MARKED ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THERE ARE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT ARE LOUD AND UNPLEASANT. THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE THAT IS BAD THEY WANT $75 AN HOUR MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS TO REPAIR IT. THE FUSE PANEL COVER BROKE. THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ALLIGNED.

NHTSA complaint #10093527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmhurst, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

COMPLETE LEMON. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. REPLACED BRAKES, TRANSMISSION, 2 AXLES, WINDSHIELD WIPER MOTOR, FLYWHEEL, FAULTY WIRING IN DOOR, BATTERY, STARTING PROBLEMS, BLINKER SWITCH REPLACED, SEAT TORE UPON CAR PICK-UP, TOO MANY THINGS GONE WRONG TO LIST

NHTSA complaint #740062 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Philadelphia, PA

INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE TRAVELING DOOR INDICATOR LIGHT WOULD FLASH. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE 3 TIMES. BUT, PROBLEM CONTINUES TO RETURN. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.

NHTSA complaint #862761 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

TURN SIGNAL FAILED DUE TO EMERGENCY FLASHER FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #552139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Peoria, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS

TURN SIGNAL FAILED DUE TO EMERGENCY FLASHER FAILURE. YH

NHTSA complaint #552139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coral Springs, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #720127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coral Springs, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #720127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Coral Springs, FL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #720127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ Crash 1 injured

INTERIOR LIGHTING

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY TRAVELLING 15MPH IN A HEAVY SNOW STORM, DRIVER'S SIDE WINDSHIELD WIPERS JUST STOPPED WORKING. HAD BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED 4 TIMES. DEALER SAID THAT BRAKES WERE DEFECTIVE. ALSO, INTERIOR LIGHT BLEW OUT, BUT DEALER REPLACED IT WITH A DIMMER LIGHT.

NHTSA complaint #856074 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PAW PAW, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNALS FAIL CONTINUALLY, SIX REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUE TO FAIL. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PAW PAW, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNALS FAIL CONTINUALLY, SIX REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUE TO FAIL. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PAW PAW, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

TURN SIGNALS FAIL CONTINUALLY, SIX REPAIR ATTEMPTS HOWEVER CONTINUE TO FAIL. MJS

NHTSA complaint #549207 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

PAW PAW, WV

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL

TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AND TURN SIGNALS BECAME INOPERATIVE, BOTH WITHIN 500 MILES.

NHTSA complaint #849212 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Fullerton, CA

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TURN SIGNAL:FLASHER UNIT

TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS HAVE FAILED TO WORK ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER FIXED A FUSE. THE SECOND TIME A REPLACEMENT PART WAS NEEDED. THIS IS THE THIRD TIME AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT THE REMEDY WILL BE YET. HOWEVER, I AM SEEKING ARBITRATION. SHORTS IN WIRING, FUSE BOX LID FALLS OFF, A/C CLUMP SOUNDS WHEN TURNED ON, AND BRAKES MAKE A CLINK NOISE WHEN APPLIED.

NHTSA complaint #710570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Lawrence, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

I AM WELL AWARE OF OCASSIONAL PROBLEMS WITH NEW VEHICLES , I FEEL THAT SOME ONE MUST RECTIFY THIS SITUATION , I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO BE A PART OF THIS . I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD MORE THAN MY SHARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND ATTITUDES FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT HAVING THEM FIXED, I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO BE CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTITIVE OF NHTSA JUST TO LET ME KNOW THAT ALL MY TIME WAS NOT WASTED WITH THIS QUESTIONAIRE, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP ME AND MY FAMILY AND THE MANY OTHERS I HAVE TALKED TO THAT ARE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KIA'S SINCERELY , DONALD R LAVALLEE

NHTSA complaint #709824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

North Lawrence, NY

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

I AM WELL AWARE OF OCASSIONAL PROBLEMS WITH NEW VEHICLES , I FEEL THAT SOME ONE MUST RECTIFY THIS SITUATION , I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO BE A PART OF THIS . I HAVE OWNED THE CAR FOR 3 MONTHS AND HAVE HAD MORE THAN MY SHARE OF PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR AND ATTITUDES FROM THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT HAVING THEM FIXED, I WOULD LIKE VERY MUCH TO BE CONTACTED BY A REPRESENTITIVE OF NHTSA JUST TO LET ME KNOW THAT ALL MY TIME WAS NOT WASTED WITH THIS QUESTIONAIRE, HOPEFULLY YOU CAN DO SOMETHING TO HELP ME AND MY FAMILY AND THE MANY OTHERS I HAVE TALKED TO THAT ARE HAVING THESE SAME PROBLEMS WITH THEIR KIA'S SINCERELY , DONALD R LAVALLEE

NHTSA complaint #709824 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 KIA Sephia problems

← Full 1999 KIA Sephia report