70 of the 3,080 complaints filed about the KIA Sephia are about the equipment — 2% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 1998.
70
Complaints
2%
Share of all complaints
4
Crashes
0
Fires
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIO AND FOUND MELTED WIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC.
NHTSA complaint #10159959 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE DEFROSTER VENTS ON TOP OF THE DASHBOARD HAVE POPPED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10153592 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
1-LEAKING BRAKE FLUID INSIDE FIREWALL 2-DASHBOARD DISFIGURING 3-EXAUST MANIFOLD GASKETS NOT LASTING
NHTSA complaint #10128964 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
MY THEN 10 YEAR OLD SON GOT STUCK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. TO GET HIMSELF OUT HE ALONE PUSHED HIS HIPS FORWARD. THIS BROKE THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. AS OF LATE OUR FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. TODAY, AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, I REACHED OUT MY WINDOW AND MY SEAT BELT DISENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFUL TO BE SURE THAT I AM PROPERLY BUCKLED BY SECURELY LATCHING AND THEN PULLING FIRMLY ON THE BELT AS WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID THAT THIS TIME BUT IT STILL CAME UNLATCHED AFTER I WAS SURE I WAS SAFE.
NHTSA complaint #10107832 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I'VE HAD MANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS DISINTEGRATING FROM WITHIN. I'VE HAD THEM REPLACED MANY TIMES AT LEAST 3 OR 4 TIMES IN THE LAST 2 YRS THE MOST RECENT WAS THIS SUMMER ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I AM HAVING THIS PROBLEM AGAIN IT BEGINS TO ACT LIKE IT'S GOING TO STALL, THEN STARTS VIGOUROUSLY SHAKING, AND IT ALSO LOSES ACCELERATION SPEED. I'LL BE DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN IT STARTS ACTING UP AND LOSING SPEED AND IT WONT GO ANY HIGHER THAN 20 MPH OR SO. THIS IS A CONTINUOUS PROBLEM AND ONE THAT I CONSIDER VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE I COULD BE DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET OR A HWY AND I LOSE ACCELERATION SPEED AND IT SHAKES. THIS POSES A PROBLEM TO MY OWN SAFETY AND THAT OF OTHERS DRIVING WHILE THESE EFFECTS OCCUR. I'M SCARED IT WILL BLOW UP, BURN UP, OR FALL APART WITH ALL THE SHAKING OR EVEN STALL AND CAUSE A MAJOR ACCIDENT. PLEASE HELP!!! I'VE TAKEN IT NUMEROUS TIMES TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET THIS FIXED AND I'VE ONLY GOTTEN A TEMPORARY FIX AS YOU CAN SEE. IF ITS NOT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, ITS THE FUEL INJECTORS, OR THE FUEL GAUGE, IT'S ALWAYS ONE THING OR ANTHER. THIS CAR IS A LEMON!!!
NHTSA complaint #10090609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:ANTI-THEFT DEVICES
THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. *AK THE DASH BOARD LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. *SC
NHTSA complaint #10090326 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
MY CAR HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN A LOANER TO USE WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT WHEN YOU WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10067652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
I HAVE <45000 MILES ON MY CAR (2000 KIA SEPHIA) AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED 3X AND THE BACK BRAKES REPLACED 1X. ALSO, WHEN I TURN ON THE AC, THERE IS A LOUD NOISE FROM THE FRONT OF THE CAR. THE CAR HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO GET UP TO SPEED. THE CAR ALSO FEELS LIKE IT IS TRYING TO PULL SOMETHING OF GREAT WEIGHT WHEN DRIVING AT 55 MPH. THE BACK SEATBELTS DO NOT ALWAYS LOCK. THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE SEAT BELTS ARE ONLY TO LOCK WHEN THE BRAKES ARE SLAMMED OR THE VEHICLE IS HIT (SO HOW IS A CHILD BOOSTER SEAT SUPPOSED TO STAY PUT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION?)
NHTSA complaint #10064556 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
I JUST REPLACED ALL 3 BELTS ON MY CAR AND WHEN I STARTED THE CAR EVERYDAY THE CAR MADE A REAL BAD GRINDING NOISE AS IF THE BELTS WERE NEVER REPLACED.
NHTSA complaint #10048950 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
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.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BRAKE FAILURE. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE A/C HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST USE, AND THE GAS LIGHT STAYED ON. (TURI MILLER CAN BE REACH AS WELL AT: D-715 726 8887 OR H-715 833 6309 AND VIA EMAIL-TURIJO@YAHOO.COM) *SCC
NHTSA complaint #10038593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
TOOK CAR TO BRENNER AND THEY SAID IT WAS OK THE FIRST TIME. OVERDRIVE KEPT TURNING OFF WHILE DRIVING. 7/03 TOOK MY CAR BACK AND NOW IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION AND THEY DON'T WANT TO PUT IT IN, BECAUSE I DID NOT HAVE THEM DO THE MAINTENANCE ON MY CAR. I SHOWED PROOF THAT THE WORK WAS DONE. THEY ARE WAY OVER PRICED WHEN IT COMES TO MAIN. THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10028398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR ARE TERRIBLE! I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS. I EVEN GOT INTO A REAR-END ACCIDENT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO THAT I COULD HAVE AVOIDED WITH COMPETENT BRAKES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRUMS AND REAR SHOES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR FRONT BRAKES. THANKS A BUNCH KIA! WORST CAR I'VE EVER DRIVEN.
NHTSA complaint #10000371 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT
CONUSMER STATED THE FLOOR MATS AND RADIO ANTENNA WERE MISSING.*NLM
NHTSA complaint #567727 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
BOUGHT NEW CAR. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. INSIDE DOOR LOCKS (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). HORN MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND COIL (REPLACED 1 TIME). REAR DEFROST MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 1 TIME.) AIR FILTER COVER SCREWS AND HOLES STRIPPED OUT (REPLACED 1 TIME). AIR CONDITIONER FAN-SCRAPING NOISE (NEVER REPAIRED). OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION (CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT). STICK SHIFT WAS "JUMPING AROUND"-REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD (REPLACED 1 TIME). KNOCK SENSOR MALFUNCTION (REPLACED 1 TIME). DASH DIALS NOT WORKING (REPLACED FUSE 1 TIME). PROBLEMS STARTED DAY AFTER I PURCHASED CAR-SHOULD HAVE HEEDED THE OBVIOUS WARNING! DO NOT BUY KIA!
NHTSA complaint #764172 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE A/C BELTS WERE NOISY, ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT HAS LOW AIR FLOW.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER FAN WILL MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE. NOISE CONTINUES UNTIL VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE.
NHTSA complaint #8001846 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, HOOD RELEASED AND SMASHED INTO WINDSHIELD WHICH BLOCKED VISION OF DRIVER, CONSUMER FELT PROBLEM WAS DUE TO BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS THAT CAUSE SEVERE VIBRATION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED FREQUENTLY, THERE WAS NO CRASH OR INJURY TO REPORT WHEN THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED.*AK BRAKES WOULD VIBRATE AND WERE NOISY, REQUESTED REAR BRAKES BE CLEANED LUBED, DEALER FOUND ROTORS WARPED AND PADS WORN AND EXCESSIVE DUST IN REAR BRAKES, NUMEROUS ENGINE PROBLEMS SUCH AS COOLING FAN RUMBLE, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, ENGINE STALL, BURNING SMELL, BELT SQUEAKS, ELECTRIC COOLING FAN INOPERATIVE, FAN BLADE, PLUG WIRES AND COIL BOOTS, VALVE COVER GASKET WERE REPLACED, EVAPORATOR WAS REPLACED AND RECHARGED, MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS INCLUDING IGNITION SWITCH, STARTER, ALTERNATOR, MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH, BATTERY TERMINAL, AND BULB FAILURE, DEALER HAS ALSO FOUND CORROSION, POOR CONNECTIONS AND LOW VOLTAGE, CONSUMER STATES NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH SHIFTER, HARSH SHIFTS AND CLUNKS, DEALER REPLACED OLD STYLE FLEX PLATE, BINDING SHIFTER WHICH WAS CLEANED AND LUBED, FLUID LEAKS, DEALER REPLACED LEAKING POWER STEERING HOSE, MULTIPLE STRUCTURAL PROBLEMS SUCH AS MISSING WIPER ARM CAP, KEY WILL NOT OPEN TRUNK, TRUNK LEVER DOES NOT RELEASE, BROKEN TRUNK RELEASE HANDLE, LEFT REAR DOOR MOLDING COMING OFF, DEALER REPLACED TRUNK RELEASE, REINSTALLED DOOR WEATHERSTRIP, FOUND OIL LEAKS, AND UNDERCARRIAGE SHOWING SIGNS OF DAMAGE, BUBBLES IN DASH PAD, SUNVISOR COMING LOOSE, DEALER REPLACED DASH PAD, DEALER FOUND TAIL PIPE DAMAGED, BOTH FRONT AFTERMARKET TIRES (NO TIRE INFORMATION) WORN, LEFT REAR RIM BENT, REAR TIRES (NO TIRE INFORMATION) CUPPED AND FEATHERED DUE TO LACK OF ROTATION AND ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS, CONSUMER ALSO REQUESTED DEALER TO CHECK CV BOOTS FOR GREASE LEAK, DEALER FOUND NO PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #8001511 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
THE A/C BELTS WERE NOISY, ALSO THE PASSENGER SIDE VENT HAS LOW AIR FLOW.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A POWER STEERING, RACK AND PINION, 4 SETS OF BRAKES GOING ON 5. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED MORE TIMES THAN NECESSARY. THE BRAKES MAKES A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE WHEN I TRY TO STOP. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT DOESN'T STOP QUICKLY. THE GASKETS AROUND THE DOOR IFS FALLING OFF. THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE HEATER WORKS WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING. IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WONT CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE IT WILL CRANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE GLOVE BOX FELL APART. I HAVE COMPUTER PROBLEMS AND WIRING PROBLEMS. THE GEARS ARE HARD TO PUT IN REVERSE AND THEN WHEN IT FINALLY POPS INTO GEAR IT MAKES A LOUD POPPING SOUND. IT SLOW TO PUT IN DRIVE AND THEN IT WILL TAKE OFF REAL FAST ALMOST MAKING YOU RUN INTO SOMETHING.
NHTSA complaint #753059 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.