2001 KIA SEPHIA

0 recalls — 158 complaints

No recalls found for this vehicle.

Complaint Statistics

158 total complaints 31 crashes 3 fires 33 injuries 3 deaths

Top Reported Components

ComponentComplaints
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL16
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE9
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION5
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE5
AIR BAGS4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Jul 12, 2016
Incident date: Jul 10, 2016
HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHE... Read more
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Jul 12, 2016
Incident date: Jul 10, 2016
HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHE... Read more
AIR BAGS May 5, 2012
Incident date: May 4, 2012
I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER... Read more
Crash 1 injured
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER Jul 27, 2011
Incident date: Jul 27, 2011
CAR GIVES OFF A VERY BAD GAS ODOR. EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR, THE GAS INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD GOES DOWN AND CAR CUTS OFF ON ME WHEN IM DOING 20 MPH. *TR
POWER TRAIN Apr 12, 2011
Incident date: Jan 4, 2011
I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Jan 19, 2011
Incident date: Sep 15, 2008
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES Jan 3, 2011
Incident date: Jan 2, 2011
I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED,... Read more
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Aug 27, 2010
Incident date: Aug 1, 2006
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA ON AUGUST 1, 2006 WHEN A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE PULLED INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. MY SEPHIA COLLIDED WITH THE BONNEVILLE AT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SON (FRONT SEAT PASSENGER) WAS THROWN ... Read more
Crash 2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 30, 2010
Incident date: Apr 22, 2010
DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR
Crash
AIR BAGS Apr 29, 2009
Incident date: Mar 28, 2009
ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TR... Read more
Crash 2 injured 1 deaths
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Apr 29, 2009
Incident date: Mar 28, 2009
ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TR... Read more
Crash 2 injured 1 deaths
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW Apr 29, 2009
Incident date: Mar 28, 2009
ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TR... Read more
Crash 2 injured 1 deaths
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS Feb 21, 2009
Incident date: Apr 15, 2005
IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WEN... Read more
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 8, 2008
Incident date: Dec 6, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE STARTER AND TWO RELAYS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE IS IN T... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Jan 17, 2008
Incident date: Dec 18, 2007
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS COLLECTING INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,0... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DRUM:WHEEL CYLINDERS Feb 10, 2007
Incident date: Aug 12, 2006
IN AUGUST OF 2006 I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES. COMING TO FIND OUT MY BRAKES WERE BAD, I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND MY WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT. CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO COMPLAINTS ON TH... Read more
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC Jan 17, 2007
Incident date: Aug 26, 2006
WHEN STARTING THE CAR MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (LEVEL WITH THE CLUTCH) BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *NM
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. Jun 15, 2006
Incident date: Jun 15, 2006
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. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Nov 7, 2005
Incident date: Jan 10, 2004
MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. FIRST, IN JAN. OF '04 THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BLOCK. THAT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($3,800). THEN, 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1,567) AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE COMP... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Nov 7, 2005
Incident date: Jan 10, 2004
MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. FIRST, IN JAN. OF '04 THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BLOCK. THAT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($3,800). THEN, 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1,567) AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE COMP... Read more
STRUCTURE Jun 1, 2005
Incident date: May 3, 2005
DT: DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE, AND NOW THE OTHER SIDE WAS LOOSE. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 16, 2005
Incident date: Nov 21, 2004
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THEN ANOTHER DAY THE CAR DIED GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, AND THEN I GOT IT STARTED BACK UP ,AND WAS GOING HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. WHEN I GOT IT RUNNING AGAIN I TOOK IT HOME, AND I AM AFRAID TO... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR Mar 3, 2005
Incident date: Jan 1, 2005
AT COLD TEMPERATURES DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TROUBLE OPENING AND CLOSING. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION.*AK
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Feb 9, 2005
Incident date: May 2, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBL... Read more
EQUIPMENT Jan 24, 2005
Incident date: Jan 24, 2005
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 ... Read more
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY Jan 24, 2005
Incident date: Jan 24, 2005
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 ... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS Oct 1, 2004
Incident date: Oct 1, 2004
WHILE BACKING OUT PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. CONSUMER REPLACED THE LIGHT FIXTURE WITH A FUSE AND BULB, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
TIRES:SIDEWALL Sep 13, 2004
Incident date: Jul 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THA... Read more
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH Aug 18, 2004
Incident date: Jan 1, 2002
IN FREEZING TEMPATURES DOOR LOCK FREEZE UP AND ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUT. ALSO DOOR LATCH WILL FREEZE AS WELL CAUSING DOOR TO NOT LATCH PROPERLY UNTIL CAR HAS WARMED UP.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Aug 17, 2004
Incident date: Jan 14, 2002
BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW T... Read more
VISIBILITY Aug 17, 2004
Incident date: Jan 14, 2002
BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW T... Read more
WHEELS:HUB Aug 17, 2004
Incident date: Jan 14, 2002
BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW T... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Aug 17, 2004
Incident date: Jan 14, 2002
BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW T... Read more
STRUCTURE Aug 17, 2004
Incident date: Jan 14, 2002
BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW T... Read more
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP Jul 18, 2004
Incident date: Jul 2, 2004
I AM JUST A LITTLE DISGUSTED BY THE FACT THAT I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW VEHICLE SO THAT I WOULDN'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT REPAIRS FOR AWHILE. I BOUGHT A 2001 KIA SEPHIA IN AUGUST OF 2001 AND IT IS NOW JULY 2004 AND MY FUEL PUMP HAS FAILED TWICE NOW. I HAVE HAD VEHICLES IN THE PAST THAT HAVE HAD WELL OVER ... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Jul 13, 2004
Incident date: May 12, 2004
VEHICLE HAD AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND THE GEAR SHIFT WILL NOT STAY IN PARK. WHEN PARKING THE VEHICLE AND TURNING IT OFF VEHICLE ROLLED INTO REVERSE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO KEEP THE CAR FROM ROLLING BACK. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER M... Read more
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Apr 19, 2004
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.*AK
EQUIPMENT Apr 22, 2004
Incident date: Apr 19, 2004
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.*AK
AIR BAGS Feb 8, 2004
Incident date: Jan 17, 2004
I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELOW DATE AT 730PM.THERE WAS MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA AND WE HIT A TREE AFTER LOSING CONTROL ON ICY ROAD.THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS BUT YET NEITHER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.*AK I FEEL THAT YOU AND OTHER CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A DEFECT... Read more
Crash 2 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Jan 13, 2004
Incident date: Jan 18, 2002
I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS INJURED.
Crash 1 injured
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Dec 29, 2003
Incident date: Dec 16, 2001
THE SEPHIA WAS HIT AT AN ANGLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRBAGS DELOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND WIRING IMMEDEATLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED WITH DUST FROM THE BAGS AND SMOKE. THE POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK AT THAT POINT. THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE T... Read more
Crash Fire 1 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Dec 29, 2003
Incident date: Dec 16, 2001
THE SEPHIA WAS HIT AT AN ANGLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRBAGS DELOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND WIRING IMMEDEATLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED WITH DUST FROM THE BAGS AND SMOKE. THE POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK AT THAT POINT. THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE T... Read more
Crash Fire 1 injured
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Dec 22, 2003
Incident date: Dec 5, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. *AK CONSUMER JUST HAD A SIXTH REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. *LA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM Dec 12, 2003
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADLIGHTS CHANGED FROM BRIGHT TO DIM CONSTANTLY. FIRST THEY WERE BRIGHT, THEN THEY GRADUALLY BECAME DIM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD BY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER ST... Read more
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS Dec 12, 2003
Incident date: Dec 1, 2001
CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADLIGHTS CHANGED FROM BRIGHT TO DIM CONSTANTLY. FIRST THEY WERE BRIGHT, THEN THEY GRADUALLY BECAME DIM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD BY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER ST... Read more
STRUCTURE:BODY Dec 4, 2003
Incident date: Dec 3, 2002
WATER IS LEAKING INTO THE VEHICLE ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. WHEN THIS OCCURS IN COOLER TEMPERATURES AND THE DEFROSTER IS ENGAGED THE WATER IS EVAPORATED. THIS CAUSES MOISTURE TO DEVELOP ONTO THE WINDOW. THIS REDUCES THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. THIS IS AN ON GOING PROBLEM, BUT THE DEALERSHIP IS U... Read more
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE Dec 4, 2003
Incident date: Dec 4, 2003
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO THE DEALER FOR ANALYSIS. THE MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *PH
AIR BAGS Nov 17, 2003
Incident date: Feb 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Crash
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL Nov 4, 2003
Incident date: Oct 16, 2003
CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *PH
Crash 2 injured
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING Oct 6, 2003
Incident date: Oct 6, 2003
DEALER REPLACED IN THE LAST PAST THREE MONTHS THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: IGNITION COIL/FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM TWICE/WIRING HARNESS, AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HOWEVER, PROBLEMS STILL RECURRED. *AK

Showing 50 of 158 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Investigations — KIA SEPHIA

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

RQ03006 Opened: Aug 15, 2003 — Closed: Feb 3, 2004
RQ — Closed — Model Year: 1999
REFUELING SPIT BACK
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ON... Read more
PE02028 Opened: Mar 6, 2002 — Closed: Aug 6, 2002
PE — Closed — Model Year: 2000
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING
PE00028 Opened: Jul 12, 2000 — Closed: Nov 7, 2000
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1999
TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER LINE
THE OIL COOLER LINE ALLEGEDLY DEVELOPS LEAKS AT IT'S JUNCTION TO THE RADIATOR
PE00004 Opened: Jan 13, 2000 — Closed: Jun 29, 2000
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1998
TURN SIGNAL, TRAFFIC SAFETY HAZARD
ALLEGE THAT WHILE DRIVING, THE TRUN SIGNAL SWITCH FAILED.THIS FAILURE INCREASES THE RISK OF A VEHICLE CRASH DUE TO OPERATOR DISTRACTION AND DUE TO OTHER VEHICLES BEING UNINFORMED OF THE OPERATOR'S INTENTIONS.
EA99034 Opened: Dec 16, 1999 — Closed: Jun 29, 2000
EA — Closed — Model Year: 1998
REFUELING SPIT BACK
The number and dates of complaints and warrant claims reported by Kia indicates that fuel spit-back has been a serieous ongoing problem with the Sephia models.Kia has made changes in both the ORVR valve and in the installation process on the fuel tank check valve, in an attempt to correct the proble... Read more
SQ99020 Opened: Jun 30, 1999 — Closed: Jan 12, 2000
SQ — Closed — Model Year: 1998
INTERMITTENT STALLING
Kia issued a Kia Technical Times in October 1998 stating that, due to loose connections at the fuel pump ground at G300, the fuel pump may shut off intermittently.The corrective action is to solder the fuel pump ground terminals at the terminal connec
PE99042 Opened: Jun 24, 1999 — Closed: Dec 16, 1999
PE — Closed — Model Year: 1999
REFUELING SPIT- BACK
The subject vehicles are equipped with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recover Systems.Owners report that, during the refueling process, fuel sprays out of the refueling opening and soaks the person refueling the vehicle with liquid gasoline

KIA SEPHIA — All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the KIA SEPHIA across all model years (1994–2000).

16 Total Recalls
3,091 Total Complaints
7 Investigations
299 Reported Crashes
118 Reported Fires
8 Reported Deaths

KIA SEPHIA — Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year Recalls Complaints
2003 0 2 View
2002 0 6 View
2001 (current) 0 158
2000 1 461 View
1999 5 749 View
1998 6 994 View
1997 1 375 View
1996 1 203 View
1995 1 104 View
1994 1 25 View
1986 0 3 View

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Model Recalls Complaints
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OPTIMA 100 10,128 View
TELLURIDE 70 2,186 View
SOUL 66 7,233 View
SORENTO HYBRID 62 159 View
SOUL EV 62 50 View