22 of the
461 complaints about the 2000 KIA Sephia are about the
body and structure — 5% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
30,738 miles.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES NONE OF THE DOORS LATCHES FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ITS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41000. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED, THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO HOLD DOOR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE DASH BOARD WAS FALLING APART. UPDATED 08/20/10.
NHTSA complaint #10300338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 130,000 milesAndrews, NC
STRUCTURE
I HAVE A 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND THE VENTS STARTED TO CRACK. NOW THE WHOLE DASHBOARD IS CURLING UP TO WHERE THE VENTS WON'T EVEN WORK. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT WORK BECAUSE OF THE DEFORMATION OF THE DASH. AND WITH THIS CAR JUST BEING 6 YEARS OLD WHEN IT HAPPENED I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. IT MAY CAUSE ME TO WRECK FROM NOT BEING ABLE TO CLEAR THE FOG OFF OF THE WINDOW. EVERY KIA SEPHIA THAT I HAVE SEEN HAS THIS PROBLEM NOW. WHICH IS A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH A CAR THAT IS NOT EVEN 10 YEARS OLD.
NHTSA complaint #10209279 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Research Triangle Park, NC
STRUCTURE
RIGHT FRONT (PASSENGER) DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. DOOR LATCH WILL NOT UNLOCK. FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED, I HAD TO CUT A HOLE IN THE INSIDE DOOR PANEL TO ACCESS THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR. THE LOCK MECHANISM WAS RUSTED DUE TO A POORLY DESIGNED WINDOW SEAL THAT DRAINS INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR--RIGHT ONTO THE LOCK. THIS IS DANGEROUS-- MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ON BULLETIN BOARDS ALL OVER THE NET. THERE IS A TSB (625894) THAT DEALS WITH LATCHES, BUT I HAVE NOT CHECKED IT YET WITH THE DEALER. I UNDERSTAND KIA HAS SOME COVER OR SOMETHING THAT SHIELDS THE LOCK. PERHAPS THE TSB IS FOR THE SHIELD.
NHTSA complaint #10208734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Newark, DE
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
TL*- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING A 2000 KIA SPECTRUM. THE CONTACT OWNED THE VEHICLE SINCE 2002 AND ALL FOUR DOORS WILL NOT SHUT WHEN IT WAS COLD OUTSIDE. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THIS FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A SPECIFIC TEMPERATURE. THE CONTACTDID NOT REMEMBER WHAT THE DEALER SAID OR DONE TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DOORS EVENTUALLY SHUT. SHE HAD TIED THE DOORS SHUT TO KEEP THEM FROM OPENING.
NHTSA complaint #10181191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 5,000 milesCoral Springs, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
MY KIA SEPHIA WAS PURCHASED IN 2000 AND AT APPROXIMATED 32,000 MILES THE PAINT ON THE CAR IS PEELING AND FADED AS WELL AS THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD HAS LIFTED AND IS RAISED. I SEE THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH OTHER SEPHIA'S WHEN I AM IN PARKING LOTS OR ON THE ROAD. I CALLED CORAL SPRINGS KIA SEVERAL TIMES AND I AM BEING TOLD THAT BECAUSE I LIVE IN FLORIDA THE PROBLEM IS TO BE EXPECTED. THIS IS A BLATANT LIE. ON MONDAY 9/25 I CALLED KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE AND SPOKE TO JOHN AT EXTENSION 4635. HE TOLD ME HE WOULD CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AND SOMEONE WOULD CALL ME. I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND THEY OFFERED TO SUPPLY THE PARTS BUT NOT THE LABOR TO FIX THE PROBLEMS. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. IF THEY AGREE TO SUPPLY THE PARTS THEN THEY KNEW OR KNOW THIS MAKE A MODEL IS HAVING PROBLEMS. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF YOU CAN ADVISE MY NEXT COURSE OF ACTION.
NHTSA complaint #10169419 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesLittle Rock, AR
STRUCTURE
SEPHIA KIA DASH BOARD ....WARRANTY,IS ONLY 36,000 MILES THE SEAMS ARE TORN OUT ON THE DASH BOARD IN FRONT OF THE MILEAGE ODOMETER AND MAKING ME SICK,THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BUFFED UP WITH THE AIR VENT BUFFERED UP TOWARD THE WINDOW, KEEPING ME FROM GETTING ANY AIR. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TOO DR.VINLYN.. THE ONLY PERSON THAT FIXES DASH BOARDS IN MY STATE, AND TO AN UPHOLSTERY SHOP, NEITHER ONE WOULD FIX IT..THEY STATE, KIA MANUFACTURER IS NOT MAKING THE DASHBOARDS THE SAME AND THERE ONLY MADE OUT OF PLASTIC NOW, NO USE IN FIXING IT, MIGHT AS WELL BUY A NEW DASHBOARD, CAUSE KIA DOESN'T MAKE GREAT DASHBOARDS FOR CARS ANY LONGER, AND THE DASHBOARDS ARE ONLY PLASTIC.. I WAS ALSO TOLD, A LOT OF KIA'S CARS HAVE BEEN BUFFERED UP, AND NOTHING BUT PLASTIC. I WAS TOLD I WOULD BE BETTER OFF, IF I COULD FIND A BETTER DASHBOARD THAN WHAT I HAVE NOW,CAUSE IT WOULD JUST COME A LOOSE AGAIN BY THE HEAT,IF IT IS STILL PLASTIC.. KIA CARS OF AMERICA...CLAIMS MY WARRANTY IS ONLY 36,000 MILES WARRANTY,BUT I NEED MY CAR FIXED BY KIA CARS OF AMERICA,MY DASH BOARD IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC,AND I FAULT KIA MOTORS FOR BUILDING THIS CAR LIKE THIS, I HAVE BREATHING PROBLEMS, AND UNLESS KIA WANTS TO GIVE ME ANOTHER CAR, I WANT THEM TO FIX THIS CAR,THIS IS NOT THE WAY I BROUGHT THIS CAR AND IT IS TORN UP INSIDE, BUSTED UP BY HEAT. THANK YOU FOR E-MAILING ME BACK, AT MY EMAIL ABOVE. I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN KIA CARS, I WANTED TO STICK WITH KIA CARS, BUT AFTER THIS ,I DON'T KNOW, I JUST KNOW, I NEED KIA CARS OF AMERICA TO FIX THIS CAR. THE SMELL IN THIS CAR WITH THE SEAMS BUSTED IS MAKING ME SICK.
NHTSA complaint #10164428 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 30,738 milesGarrettsville, OH
STRUCTURE:BODY
TRANSMISSION FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10043881 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Romeoville, IL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS
NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM FRAME, MOLDING FELL OFF 4 TIMES DURING FIRST 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. BATTERY REPLACED AFTER ONLY HAVING VEHICLE 2 MONTHS. AIR CONDITION (A/C) FUSE BLEW TWICE FAN FUSE BLEW ONCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. BACK DOORS STICK SHUT. BACK DOORS HINGES RUSTED AND BENT CAUSING SQUEAKING AND NOT COMPLETELY TO SHUT. TRANS SHIFTS HARD AND SOMETIMES STICKS. ENGINE LIGHT AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKED TRANS WAS SHIFTED BY ITSELF. HAD TRANS FLUSHED SEEMS TO BE OK. CAR SHAKES AT HIGH SPEEDS. TAPE PLAYER MAKES FUNNY NOISES IF USED FOR LONG TIME.GAS MILEAGE HAS BEEN POOR SINCE CAR WAS PURCHASED. MOLDING TURNED WHITE. CAR HAS HAD FUEL FILTER REPLACED TWICE. FUEL SENSOR IN TANK REPLACED THREE TIMES.
NHTSA complaint #10042942 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 549 milesLadera Ranch, CA
STRUCTURE
OUR KIA SEPHIA 2000 IS A LEMON. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WARE AND SHAKING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. WE RECEIVED THE CAR WITH A DEAD BATTERY. WE ARE ON OUR THIRD BATTERY. WE WERE ON OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES BEFORE 30,000 MILES. THE GEAR SHIFT WILL STICK SO THAT YOU CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. THE WEATHER MOLDING IS FALLING OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND THEY COULD NOT KEEP IT FROM COMING ON.
NHTSA complaint #10018598 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,000 milesWinchester, VA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR CAME OPEN AND WILL NOT CLOSE.
NHTSA complaint #10008176 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Chugiak, AK
STRUCTURE
MASTER CYLINDER NEEDS TO BE REPLACED DUE TO LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. CONSUMER IS ADDING A PINT OF BRAKE FLUID DAILY. BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATES ON DASHBOARD, WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED, THERE IS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE.*AK. CONSUMER STATED THE MASTER CYLINDER HAS BEEN REPLACED PREVIOUSLY, THIS WILL BE THE 3RD MASTER CYLINDER, THE VEHICLE ALSO VIBRATES AND THE DEALER STATED IT WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT, HOWEVER THE VIBRATION CONTINUED AFTER THE ALIGNMENT, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 17,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #8012985 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charlotte, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE TRUNK RELEASE WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TRUNK RELEASE CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charlotte, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DOOR STRAPS HAVE RUSTED, AND THE DOOR MOLDING HAVE TURNED WHITE.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Aberdeen, WACrash
STRUCTURE:BODY
PLASTIC COVER ON CONSOLE WAS DEFECTIVE. IT WAS IS HOOKED ONTO HER FOOT, AND CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #6900592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charlotte, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
THE TRUNK RELEASE WAS INOPERATIVE, THE DEALER ADJUSTED THE TRUNK RELEASE CABLE.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Port Charlotte, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE DOOR STRAPS HAVE RUSTED, AND THE DOOR MOLDING HAVE TURNED WHITE.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryan, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE POWER DOOR LOCKS FAIL INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bryan, TX
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE BACK DOORS STICK. NLM
NHTSA complaint #785013 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Rochester, WA
STRUCTURE:BODY
THE CONSOLE LID BROKE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #559795 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Concord, NC
STRUCTURE:BODY:TRUNK LID
IN THE FIRST 12 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR THAT I PURCHASED BRAND NEW, I HAVE BLOWN AN ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT TIRE(NO PUNCTURES - BELT EXPOSED); HAD THE DOOR LOCKS AND COMPARTMENT LID REPLACED BY (NO CHARGE).*AK (TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: P185/65R14 )
NHTSA complaint #741314 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Miamia, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
VEHICLE OVERHEATED. ALSO, REAR DOORS WERE STUCK.
NHTSA complaint #863453 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Coral Springs, FL
STRUCTURE:BODY
WEATHER STRIPPING IS PEELING OFF ON THE SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES, VEHICLE VIBRATES.
NHTSA complaint #861450 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.