68 of the
3,080 complaints filed about the KIA Sephia
are about the suspension —
2% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 1998.
BOTH LOWER CONTROL ARMS HAVE GONE AT THE SAME TIME...AT 65,000 MILES...WHICH WHEN I CHECKED WITH REPAIR SHOP IS HIGHLY UNUSUAL THAT AT THIS LOW MILES ONE WOULD GO LET ALONE BOTH...HE SAID IT IS A QUALITY ISSUE. KIA SAYS ITS NOT COVERED...WHEN WENT TO GET OUT OF DRIVERS SIDE THE DOOR HANDLE SNAPPED OFF. AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH HEATER/AIR CONDITIONER...TOOK TO KIA EAST SYRACUSE, NY THEY SAID THEY DON'T MAKE THEM ANY MORE BECAUSE SO MANY PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10163581 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTICED WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE WOULD ESCALATE LOUDER. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10112912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE STARTED COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. DRIVER NOTICED WHILE ACCELERATING THE NOISE WOULD ESCALATE LOUDER. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT LEFT AND RIGHT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO CORROSION.
NHTSA complaint #10112912 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET PAVEMENT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR END WOULD WONDER CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA complaint #10002019 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I WAS IN A VERY SERIOUS ACCIDENT ON AUGUST 7TH, AT 10:30 AM WHILE DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF THE MASS PIKE RT. 90 FRAMINGHAM, MASS. I THOUGHT MY KIA SEHPIA WAS IN ACCELENT CONDITION, BUT WHILE I WAS DRIVING IN THE MIDDLE LANE, THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN STARTED SHAKING AND I COULD NOT STEER THE VEHICLE. I TRIED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE IN THE LANE BUT COULD NOT CONTROL THE STEERING. THE CAR SCREECHED AND WAS PULLING TO THE RIGHT. TO MY IMMEDIATE RIGHT WAS A LARGE RYDER RENTAL TRUCK, I BRACED MYSELF AND HIT THE LEFT FRONT END OF THE TRUCK. THE REST IS A BLUR, I SPUN AROUND AND THE REAR OF MY CAR HIT THE GUARD RAIL AND I FORTUNATELY STOPPED IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE. IT HAPPENED SO FAST, BUT WHAT IS MOST UPSETTING, I DON'T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED. I'M NOT SURE IF IT WAS A STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM OR A TIRE PROBLEM. ALL I KNOW IS, I WAS DRIVING SAFETLY AND THEN MY CAR WHEN OUT OFF CONTROL. THE RIGHT FRONT OF MY VECHICLE WAS SEVERLY DAMAGED, AND MY PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY.
NHTSA complaint #766723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS THEY CANT ALL BE LISTED.THE BATTERY MELTED,THE TIRES WONT STAY INFLATED PROPERLY, THE A/C BROKE,THE CRUISE CONTROL BROKE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. THE CAR SHAKES IF YOU GO OVER 60 AND THE DEALER CHARGED ME TO ALIGN THE FRONT END,TOLD ME IT NEEDED TO BE DONE EVERY 6 MONTHS.ALSO SAID I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE BATTERY WOULD MELT,ITS KOREAN.
NHTSA complaint #762823 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND MAKES LOUD SOUNDS, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ROTATED, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH FRONT END SUPPORT SYSTEM ON PASSENGER'S SIDE OF VEHICLE STARTED TO VIBRATE VERY HARD AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. BOLTS CAME OUT OF SUPPORT SYSTEM, AND NUTS CAME OFF DRIVERS SIDE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.
NHTSA complaint #8003012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
TRAILING ARM WAS BENT CAUSING DAMAGE TO TIRES, BECAUSE OF TIRE PROBLEMS THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIBRATIONS INCLUDING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND PULLING TO THE RIGHT. *SLC
NHTSA complaint #563703 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CONSUMER HAS COMPLAINED THAT THE VEHICLE VIBRATES, AND MAKES LOUD SOUNDS, THE TIRES WERE BALANCED AND ROTATED, THROTTLE BODY REPLACED, AND THE COMPRESSOR WAS REPLACED, POSSIBLE SUSPENSION PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #563225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE WAS MAKING A KNOCKING NOISE. ALSO, WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING VEHICLE HESITATED. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER, DEALER DETERMINED THE CAUSE TO BE WHEEL BEARING WHICH NEEDED REPLACING. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.
NHTSA complaint #892694 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.