FaultScore

1999 KIA Sephia window and wiper problems

21 of the 749 complaints about the 1999 KIA Sephia are about the glass, mirrors and wipers — 3% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 15,000 miles.

C

21

Complaints

2

Crashes

0

Fires

2

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Windshield Wiper/Washer 7 33.3%
Defroster/Defogger/Hvac System 4 19.0%
Windshield 2 9.5%
Linkages 2 9.5%
Power Window Devices AND Controls 1 4.8%
Exterior 1 4.8%
Motor 1 4.8%
Visibility 1 4.8%
Linkages 1 4.8%
Visibility/Wiper 1 4.8%

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers across every KIA Sephia year

1997 16 15.1%
1998 47 44.3%
1999 21 19.8%
2000 22 20.8%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Poplarville, MS

VISIBILITY/WIPER

SEAT BELTS WORK IMPROPERLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, FUEL PUMP IS WORKING INEFFICIENTLY.

NHTSA complaint #10929466 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 78,000 miles Cotati, CA

VISIBILITY

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.

at 61,500 miles Kinston, NC

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE WINDSHIELD, PREVENTING THE DEFROSTER FROM CIRCULATING TO THE WINDSHIELD. MANUFACTURER STATES THEY CAN NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK

NHTSA complaint #10103664 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 15,000 miles Wadley, AL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

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

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

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 594 miles West DES Moines, IA

VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

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.

West DES Moines, IA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE IT LEAKED OUT. WHEN IT DID HIT SHE HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT, UNTIL THE NOZZLE WAS IN THE TANK JUST RIGHT, THEN IT WOULD TAKE THE FUEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, AND ROTORS WEARING OUT TOO QUICKLY AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 10 TIMES AND NEEDED TO BE RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. *AK THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM HAD BEEN WORKED ON FOUR TIMES AND STILL WAS NOT FIXED. THERE WERE GEAR SHIFT PROBLEMS WHERE THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, MULTIPLE WIRING CONSOLE LIGHT PROBLEMS, THE WIPER BLADE LINKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BLADE TO COME APART. *SCC *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-006

NHTSA complaint #10024509 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Williamsport, PA Crash 1 injured

VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES:EXTERIOR

AT SLOW SPEED VEHICLE WAS SIDESWIPED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE, DRIVERSIDE MIRROR WAS DESIGNED TO FOLD INWARD WHEN THIS HAPPENED; INSTEAD, MIRROR EXPLODED, AND DRIVER WAS HIT BY GLASS, WINDOW WAS DOWN. DRIVER SUFFERED MULTIPLE FACIAL CUTS. DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.

NHTSA complaint #8017315 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Hamden, CT

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

THE CAR WOULDN'T START SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS TO THE DEALER IN ORDER FOR THEM TO REPLACE THE STARTER. AFTER THE STARTER WAS REPLACED THE PROBLEM CONTINUED AND THE FLYWHEEL WAS FINALLY REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE ON THE WIPER BLADES THE WIPERS STOPPED WORKING DURING HEAVY RAIN ON A HIGHWAY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED ME TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE HAD ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS THE CEILING LIGHT GOING ON AND OFF WHENEVER I TURNED CORNERS. THE CAR BATTERY WAS EVEN REPLACED AFTER THE NEW STARTER AND FLYWHEEL WERE PUT IN BECAUSE THE CAR STILL HAD PROBLEMS STARTING. RECENTLY THE TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED. A WEEK AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED THE OVERDRIVE LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED BLINKING ON AND OFF. THE CAR FINALLY STALLED AND HAD TO BE TOWED. THE CAR WAS GIVEN BACK TO ME AND I WAS TOLD THAT A GASKET IN THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. A WEEK AFTER THAT THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT AND THE ENGINE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AGAIN AND THE CAR STARTING DRIVING AS IF IT WAS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. THE CAR FINALLY STALLED AGAIN AND WOULDN'T MOVE.

NHTSA complaint #750368 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Princeton, NC

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD

WINDSHIELD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO STRESS CRACKS. *AK ROTORS WERE REPLACED TWO TIMES. *SLC

NHTSA complaint #884480 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Latrobe, PA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

INTERMITTENTLY WINDSHIELD WIPERS BECOME INOPERABLE, OBSTRUCTING VIEW OF DRIVER. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.

NHTSA complaint #880957 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Elmhurst, IL

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:MOTOR

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.

Round Lake HTS, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DEFROSTER NOT KEEPING WINDSHIELD FREE OF ICE.

NHTSA complaint #721599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Round Lake HTS, IL

VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

DEFROSTER NOT KEEPING WINDSHIELD FREE OF ICE.

NHTSA complaint #721599 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tyler, TX

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

RECALLS 99V271 000/WINDSHIELD WIPER LINKAGE AND 99V318 000/ENGINE STALLING. BOTH RECALL NOTICES WERE RECEIVED BY CONSUMER, AND WAS UNABLE TO GET DEALER TO HONOR RECALLS. WAS INFORMED BY DEALER THAT THEY WERE PLACED ON A WAITING LIST, AND WILL BE CONTACTED WHEN THEIR NAMES COME UP. CONTACTED DEALER ON SEVERAL OTHER OCCASIONS, AND NOW THEY MISPLACED THE LIST. SEEKING HELP FROM NHTSA IN THIS MATTER.

NHTSA complaint #860461 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Winthrop, ME

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER:LINKAGES

VEHICLE RECALL REPAIR DENIED DUE TO PROBLEM WITH DEALERSHIP/SCHEDULING. (99V-317/318 AND 99V-271). *MJS

NHTSA complaint #550996 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Havertown, PA

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. YH (ATTORNEY FOR CONSUMER)

NHTSA complaint #550860 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

EL Reno, OK

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED. YH

NHTSA complaint #550530 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Newark, NJ Crash 1 injured

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

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.

Virgina, VA

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

CONSUMER STATED VECHICLE WAS DEFECTED WHEN SHE PURCHASED IT ON SEP 11 1999 . CONSUMER TOOK IT BACK ON SEP 13 1999 BECAUSE SHE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS, SUCH AS TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING OUT FROM UNDERNEATH HER VECHICLE. ALSO, BRAKES NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHEN APPLYING BRAKES. PEDALS WENT ALLTHE DOWN TO THE FLOOR. ALSO VECHICLE OVERHEATED. ALSO, FRONT GRILL /WINDSHIELD WIPERS AND GAS GAUGE HAD TO B EREPLACED, AND I STILL DON'T WORK . AT THIS TIME THE CONSUMER HAS REGISTERED A COMPLAINT WITH THE LEMON LAW. HER CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP WAITING FOR A PART.

NHTSA complaint #851472 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Camp Spring, MD

VISIBILITY:WINDSHIELD WIPER/WASHER

STARTER WON'T WORK, AND CONSUMER CAN'T START VEHICLE UP UNTIL THE THIRD TIME. ALSO, WINDSHIELD WIPER'S ARE WORKING INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD.

NHTSA complaint #836917 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 1999 KIA Sephia problems

← Full 1999 KIA Sephia report