Nine problems related to suspension have been reported for the 1998 Kia Motor Sephia. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
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.
While driving on freeway steering wheel was shaking and vibrating. Pulled over. Had the vehicle towed back to the garage. Contacted dealer. Dealer made the necessary repairs, but vehicle is still having the same problem.
The power windows & door locks would go up & down on their own. The doors are not locked securely. The windows fail to remain close or open when this happens. The steering wheel would vibrate after vehicle is started. Whenever the brakes are applied, vehicle shakes. The tire moulding & the trim is peeling off. Every time the vehicle stops, it would to be jump started, constantly. Taking vehicle back to dealer to repair problems.
While driving on old route 50 another vehicle cut across in front of consumer's vehicle. Consumer was not able to stop, and hit vehicle broadside. Neither airbag deployed. Contacted manufacturer, and was told nothing was wrong. Since the accident, airbags have been on all the time. Also, had brakes replaced 5 or 6 times. When applying brakes the steering wheel shakes. Also, done an alignment.
Steering wheel shakes/shimmies when braking. Nlm.
Vehicle vibrates while driving at 55 mph or more. Vehicle has been in/out dealer shop on two occasions, and condition cannot be resolved. Manufacturer also notified.
Vehicle out of alignment. Nlm.
Vehicle continually experiences front end alignment problems causing excessive wear to tires.
When driving vehicle at high speeds,and applying the brakes, vehicle will pull to either side, and there is strong vibration in the steering column area. The dealer has been contacted.