1996 KIA SEPHIA

1 recalls — 50 complaints

02V216000 Aug 16, 2002
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
189,706 vehicles affected
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Oct 7, 2005
DT: THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ON DECEMBER 1, 2003 THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP IN THE FRONT WHEN TURNING ON THE DEFROSTER . IT DID NOT DEFOG THE WINDOW, IT WILL WORK SOMEWHAT BUT NOT LIKE IT SHOULD. CAN SEE THE INSIDE DASHBOARD WHERE WIRING AND FOAM WAS. IT HAS PROGRESSIVELY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE DECEMBER 2003. CONSUMER HAD TRIED TO PUSH THE DASHBOARD DOWN WITH HER HANDS, BUT THE DASHBOARD WILL NOT MOVE. CONSUMER HAS NOT HAD A DEALER LOOK AT VEHICLE. *AK
STRUCTURE Dec 14, 2004
I PURCHASED A 1996 KIA SEPHIA AND HAVE THE SAME PROBLAM AS ALOT OF OTHER OWNERS. THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING AND PEELING AWAY FROM THE FRAME.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Nov 3, 2004
ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
STRUCTURE Apr 21, 2004
IT IS UNBELIEVEABLE THAT THERE IS NO RECALL ON THE DASHBOARDS FOR KIA VEHICLES. I OWN A KIA SEPHIA AND IT SEEMS LIKE THE DASHBOARD CRACKS AND PEELS OFF. I HAVE SEEN OTHER MODELS AND IT FACES THE SAME PROBLEMS. MATTER OF FACT I VISITED KIA DEALERSHIPS AND THERE IS NO WARRANTY ON THIS ITEMS. THE DEALERSHIPS ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE ALOT OF COMPLAINTS ON THAT SAME ISSUE. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT THERE MUST BE A RECALL ON THIS ISSUES. *AK
STRUCTURE Apr 20, 2004
DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE FRAME OF THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE ON FOUR OCCASIONS, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
STRUCTURE Jan 7, 2004
THE DASHBOARD IS RISING AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. *AK *MR
VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM Jan 7, 2004
THE DASHBOARD IS RISING AND THE DEFROSTER DOESN'T WORK, CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. *AK *MR
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Sep 5, 2003
WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN STARTED ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON AND REMAIN ILLUMINATED. HAD TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP, AND MECHANIC FAILED TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
STRUCTURE Jul 9, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT DASHBOARD IS PEELING OFF FROM THE CAR'S FOUNDATION.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Jul 9, 2003
CONSUMER STATES THAT BODY MOUNTS SEPARATED FROM THE FRAME, RESULTING IN LOSS OF STEERING FUNCTION WHILE DRIVING. RELATED RECALL 98V323000, CONSUMER'S VEHICLE NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK
STRUCTURE May 22, 2003
THE DASH BOARD BUCKLED TO THE POINT WHERE THE CONSUMER HAD TO CUT OFF PORTIONS OF IT. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED IT MAY AFFECT THE PERFORMANCE OF THE AIR BAG. *JB
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Feb 21, 2003
"CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE I BAUGHT THE CAR. I HAVE TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO HAVE IT FIXED BUT THE LIGHT STILL COMES ON. MY CAR WILL NOT PASS CALIFORNIA SMOG WITH THE LIGHT ON WHICH MEANS THAT I CANNOT RENEW MY REGISTRATION THE NEXT TIME THE DMV REQUIRES A SMOG CHECK.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Feb 12, 2003
DASHBOARD HAS CURLED UP IN FRONT (AGAINST WINDSHIELD). BECAUSE OF THIS THE DEFROSTER WILL NOT DEFROST THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT I AM UNABLE TO SEE ADEQUATELY TO DRIVE ANYTIME MY WINDSHIELD IS FOGGY. THIS MAY ALSO CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT BUT I'M NOT SURE.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jan 31, 2003
THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD VENTS HAS PEELED AWAY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO FROM THE DASH FRAME. RIGHT NOW IT IS STANDING AROUND 3" FROM THE FRAME AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO TRANSGRESS INTO MY LINE OF SIGHT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER ON THE CAR DOES NOT WORK WELL ANYMORE SINCE THE PEELING HAS OCCURRED. THE DASH IS ALSO LIFTING AWAY FROM THE FRAME JUST ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARPING OF THE DASH MAY IN SOME WAY EITHER CAUSE A PREMATURE RELEASE OF THE PASSENGER AIR BAG OR PREVENT THE RELEASE OF THE BAG WHEN IT MAY BE NEEDED. I HAVE NOTED THIS SAME PHENOMENON ON OTHER KIA SEPHIAS IN THE CITY WHERE I LIVE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Jan 15, 2003
CONSUMER WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE WHEN THE WHOLE DASH BOARD CAME OFF. DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED AT THE TIME OF THIS. TS
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jan 7, 2003
CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING GOING 30MPH THE VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT NEVER LOCKED AND BOTH AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. TS
SEAT BELTS:FRONT Dec 27, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT THE FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY CAUSING THE CONSUMER NOT TO HAVE A SEAT BELT ON WHILE DRIVING. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING: REAR COMPARTMENT/TRUNK Nov 15, 2002
THE FIRST WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS ORDERED FOR THIS CAR ON 10/29/02 WAS DEFECTIVE. THEY ORDERED A SECOND ONE. I WENT TO PICK UP MY CAR THEY SAY WAS READY AND EVERYTHING IS WORKING. BEFORE I DROVE OFF THE LOT I NOTICED MY DOOR AJAR LIGHT ON. HOWEVER ALL OF THE DOORS WERE CLOSED INCLUDING THE TRUNK. SO TOMORROW I AM TAKING MORE TIME OFF FROM WORK SO THEY CAN INSTALL A THIRD WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE TAKEN OFF 2 DAYS 3 HOURS SO FAR. THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP IS ABOUT 45 MILES AWAY. I ONLY HAVE THAT ONE CAR. THE CAR WAS TOWED OVER THERE THE LAST TIME BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFT WOULD NOT MOVE. WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE SEEN TONIGHT ON THIS WEB SITE YOU WOULD THINK THEY WOULD CALL A RECALL. I WILL NOT REST UNTIL SOMEONE TAKES RESPONSIBLITY FOR THE CAR THAT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT THE SHOP EVERY SINCE I HAD IT. DT
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Nov 13, 2002
THIS IS THE THIRD WIRING HARNESS THEY ARE ORDERING. DT
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:ANCHORAGE Jul 11, 2002
SEAT BELTS ARE UNTREADING WITHOUT BEING USED EXCESSIVELY.*AK
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS Dec 10, 2001
THE SEAMS THAT JOIN THE BODY IN THE REAR HAVE SEPARATED, THIS CAUSED A LEAK IN THE TRUNK OF THE VEHICLE. SEPARATION IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO CAUSE FREE FLOWING WATER TO BE SEEN ENTERING THE TRUNK COMPARTMENT. SOME OF THE SEPARATION OF THE SEAM IS NOT VISIBLE DUE TO BEING LOCATED UNDERNEATH THE REAR BUMPER.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 26, 2001
DASHBOARD WAS WARPING. DASHBOARD BEGAN DISCOLORING A YEAR 1/2 AGO, AND CURRENTLY WAS FALLING APART. DEALER ADVISED THAT IT WAS SIMPLY WEAR AND TEAR. CONSUMER FEELS THAT PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG MAY DEPLOY. *AK *SLC
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Apr 19, 2001
ONLY 9 MONTH OLD BREAK, ROTORS HAS BECOME TOO THIN, NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *AK
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Mar 26, 2001
THE DASHBOARD ON MY KIA IS FOLDING AND BUCKLING PREVENTING THE DEFROST SYSTEM TO BLOW CORRECTLY. THUS, MAKE IT A HAZARDOUS CONDITION WHEN IT IS RAINING AND THE WINDSHIELD FOGS UP. THE BLOWER CANNOT REACH THE WINDSHIELD DUE TO THE BUCKLING OF THE DASH.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH Feb 28, 2001
WHILE DRIVING IN DARK IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE DUE TO HEADLIGHTS LAMPS, WHERE COVER IS TURNING YELLOW, AND ISN'T ILUMINATING LIKE BEFORE.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Jan 18, 2001
BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 8000 MILES. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Jan 17, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY Jan 17, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC Jan 17, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 19, 2000
AFTER AN OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC LEFT THE OIL PLUG LOOSE AND THE PLUG FELL ON THE OPEN HIGHWAY, NOW THE VEHICLE HAS LEFT A CONSUMER STRANDED.*ET
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Dec 14, 2000
EVERY TIME TAKEN IN FOR REG.CHECKUP,HAD NEW BRAKES PUT ON,PUTTING 99 BRAKES ON 96 CAR. *AK
Crash 1 injured
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Nov 20, 2000
A CONSUMER RECEIVED THE RECALL FOR HIS VEHICLE BRAKES AND ROTORS, SINCE THEN THE ROTORS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM CONTINUOUSLY, DEALER REPLACED ROTORS 4 TIMES BUT THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES. *ET
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR Nov 9, 2000
EVERY 5000 MILES NEEDS BRAKES/ ROTORS, CONSUMER FEELS ROTORS ARE WARPING FAST, AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Nov 9, 2000
EVERY 5000 MILES NEEDS BRAKES/ ROTORS, CONSUMER FEELS ROTORS ARE WARPING FAST, AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH Nov 1, 2000
THE TOP OF THE DASH ACTUALLY HAS A LARGE BURN SCORCH MARK ABOUT THE SIZE OF A GRAPEFRUIT AND THE FOAM LIKE MATERIAL IS BULGING OUT, THIS IS IN THE MIDDLE OF FLORIDA'S SUMMER HEAT AND VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED OUTSIDE OF MY WORK BUT A CAR ONLY 3 YEARS OLD SHOULD NOT HAVE THIS TYPE OF DAMAGE, OVER YEARS HAVE OWNED OLD CARS OVER TEN YEARS OLD BEFORE EVER SAW DASH PROBLEMS AND NOTHING LIKE THIS, DONT KNOW IF THIS COULD HAVE SOMEHOW IGNITED A FIRE OR IF DASH IS NOW LOOSE COMPROMISING OTHER EQUIPMENT IN THE DASH. I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO KNOW OF ANY OTHER PROBLEMS OR RECALLS WITH THIS MODEL. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE.
AIR BAGS Sep 15, 2000
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT REMAINS ILLUMINATED, INDICATING A MALFUNCTION WITHIN THE SYSTEM, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR Sep 8, 2000
STARTER FAILED. NLM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD Jul 6, 2000
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD DUE TO WIRING HARNESSES FAILURE. YH
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS Jul 6, 2000
CONSUMER HAD THE BRAKE REPAIRED AND THEY FAILED AGAIN 6299 MILES LATER, THEY HAD THE BRAKES REMOVED AND TAKEN TO A SPECIALIST WHO INFORMED THEM THAT THE ROTORS WERE THE ORINGINALLY INSTALLED ROTORS AT THE TIME OF MANUFACTURING. CONSUMER FEELS THE THE BRAKE JOB DONE PRIOR WAS NEVER DONE OR THE NEW BRAKES INSTALLED WERE DEFECTIVE. NLM
UNKNOWN OR OTHER Jun 23, 2000
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT RECEPTICLES DUE TO FAILURE OF LATCH. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANT EVEN AFTER IT IS RESET. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jun 23, 2000
I'VE HAD TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT RECEPTICLES DUE TO FAILURE OF LATCH. THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANT EVEN AFTER IT IS RESET. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:POWER ASSIST Jun 23, 2000
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND DOESNT DEPRESS, MAKING STOPPING SLOW. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE CAR BECOME BLACK,COVERED WITH THE DUST FROM THE BRAKE PADS.. AND AT TIMES THE BRAKES STICK AND RESISTANCE IS FELT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT TIRES BEGIN TO GIVE OFF SMOKE.*AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS Jun 23, 2000
I HAVE HAD THE BRAKES REPAIRED AT LEAST 10-12 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL IS NOT FIXED. THE BRAKE PEDAL BECOMES HARD AND DOESNT DEPRESS, MAKING STOPPING SLOW. THE FRONT WHEELS OF THE CAR BECOME BLACK,COVERED WITH THE DUST FROM THE BRAKE PADS.. AND AT TIMES THE BRAKES STICK AND RESISTANCE IS FELT FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE FRONT TIRES BEGIN TO GIVE OFF SMOKE.*AK
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM:FUEL RAIL Jun 21, 2000
FUEL INJECTION WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Fire
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP May 19, 2000
BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM, I HAD AN ACCIDENT. BRAKE INSPECTION BY KIA AUTHORIZED MECHANIC REVEALED, THAT THE CAR HAD FACTORY DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. *AK
Crash 4 injured 1 deaths
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD May 1, 2000
WAS DRIVING VEHICLE & NOTICED SMOKE COMING THROUGH THE VENTS. PULLED OVER & SMOKE FILLED THE INTERIOR. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC CHECKED UNDER HOOD & NOTICED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE FRAYED. COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF THE FRAYED WIRES. *AK
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Apr 24, 2000
DRIVERS SIDE SEATBELT WILL LATCH, BUT IT COMES LOOSE ON ITS OWN. *AK
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Apr 18, 2000
IN MARCH 24, 1998 BECAUSE OF THE MALFUNCTION OF BRAKE SYSTEM , I HAD AN ACCIDENT. THE BRAKE INSPECTION BY KIA AUTHOIZED MECHANIC REVEALED, THAT THE CAR HAD FACTORY DEFECT IN THE BRAKE SYSTEM. UNTIL NOW THERE HAS BEEN DONE A NUMEROUS AMOUNT OF REPAIRS AND ADJUSTMENTS FOR THE BRAKE SYSTEM, BUT WITHOUT ANY SUCCESFUL RESULTS.CAR HAVE LOTS OF DEFERENT PROBLEMS AND FACTORY DEFECTS. IT IS A LEMON. *AK
Crash
PARKING BRAKE:CONVENTIONAL:MECHANICAL:LINKAGE AND CABLE Mar 22, 2000
THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE PULLED OUT OF THE CENTER ANCHOR IN THE TRANSFER BRACKET DUE TO POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OF THE METAL BEING TOO SOFT (WEAK) FOR FORCE NECESSARY. MJS
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP Mar 21, 2000
IN COLD/DAMP WEATHER BRAKES WILL LOCK UP AND MAKE LOUD NOISE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SKID. *AK