Brake Disc problems of the 1999 Kia Motor Sephia - part 1

Front brake rotors and pads had to be replaced three time within a year, dealer was notified. Feel free to provide any further information.

On or about April 30, 2001 we experienced a brake problem. Upon notifying kia, the service dept. Told s that our warranty was for 12 mth. Or 12,000 miles. We had passed both. We took the car to our mechanic to fix the brakes. He showed us the brake pad. . . Bare, and the rotor was chewed up. He replaced the rotor on the driver side, as well as the brake pads on both the front areas. Thia was a total cost of 300. 00. I have the rotor and pads. We again contacted kia due to the fact that brakes should not wear out at 14000 miles, they had a rep tell us that they expect the brakes to go at 12000 miles or so. This is normal. Bologna. . . This is a safety issue, if my brakes fail. . . Especially when my teenage sons are driving I will not be a happy camper. I want kia to fix this problem. Period!.

Excessive wear of brake pads and front brake rotors. Had to replace pads and front rotors on three separate occasions by dealer. Problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information on this matter.

Vehicle vibrates at 65 to 70 told it was the road. Had the front brakes and rotors replaced 3 times for shaking and wear of front pads.

The problems I am having or have had with this car are as follows, cooling system has completly froze up, water leak into the front passenger side under dash, molding around the doors replaced, 4 transmissions replaced, warped rotors which have also worn the brake pads. And I just recieved a recall notice for the on board refueling vapor recovery valves, which I am hoping will stop the gas from pouring out of the car onto me when I am refueling. This car is not road worthy. I have been in contact with the manufacturer and dealer they both just point the finger at one another, when I purchased this vehicle I expected it to run.

I am the owner of a 1999 kia Sephia, which I purchased brand new in August of 99. At 14,843 miles, I experienced serious problems with the brakes. When the brakes are applied at 35 mph, the front of the car and the steering wheel would shake out of control when coming to a stop. The brake pads and rotors were replaced at 14,843, by a certified kia mechanic. Soon after, on a separate occasion, my vehicle was brought in for repairs to the same mechanic for the same problem. In July of 2001, I experienced the same problem for the 3rd time. The vehicle was brought in for repairs to the same kia mechanic and the pads were replaced. On 25 oct 01, I brought my car in again to the same kia mechanic to tend to the same brake problem. The service director, stated that the brakes would be adjusted and that the rotors would once again be repalced. The general manager, service director and the owner were all notified, via certified letters, regarding the defective brake problem which I have experienced for the past two years. I also contacted Kia Motors of America, consumer affairs office, of the existing problems to my vehicle's braking system. I was assured by all relevant parties involved, that this is considered normal wear-and-tear. The brake system in my vehicle is very unreliable and defective. The manufacturer insists that the brakes in my vehicle are safe and that my car would not be repurchsed due to monal were and tear to the brakes. I am the owner of another make and model vehicle which is 12 years old. The 12 year old vehicle has not required a brake repair in over 4 years. My kia is used to drive to-and-from work approx. 4 miles from home. Occasoinally, the car is driven on short trips, but it is evident from the current mileage that the car is not overdriven. A reliable brake system should, on average, last longer than 6-12 months at a time. Quality craftsmanship was not a primary concern of Kia Motors when desining their vehicles.

Brake pads and rotors have been replaced 4 times in less than 1year and at 30,335 miles right now, service department fights with us each time we bring car in. Car does not start up right away, it turns a few times before it finally does, took to service department 2 times, they are unable to diagnose problem. When driving at times when you step on gas car hesitates to go, almost like it is out of gas, but it is not. After 2mths. Of using airconditioner this summer, it completely stopped working, took to service department, diagnosed with leaky "o" rings, they repaired under warranty. Rear doors when opening hit the edge of closed front doors, service department said they needed new door stoppers, haven't got them yet.

My new 1999 kia Sephia only has 11,500 miles on it. - I drive, primarily highway miles to and from work five days a week. For the last two months, my vehicle steering column has been shaking when I brake. The local kia dealer (earnhardt- I bought from pitre kia, though) indicated they'd look at it the next time I came in for an oil change. This past Sunday (7/9/00) I was driving home when the brake light came on. Within a quarter of a mile I heard loud metal grinding sounds and the brake pedal went soft. I barely made it home (using parking brake and downshifting, primarily, wit my automatic transmission). It ends up that, without even prior warning (whistling or anything), my front, right brake pads, with only 11, 500 miles on the vehicle, wore completely down and the rotor was being deeply cut into. It cost me $150 to replace. This is ridiculous for pads to go at only 11,500 miles and to cause such dangers to driver/passengers.

Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. Dealer has replaced pads and rotors every two months. Manufacturer has been notified.

The problem is that when braking the car starts to pulsate and shake. I have had the front rotors and pads replaced 4 times in 20,000 miles ( they last about five thousand miles, the they start to pulssate and shake). Everytime I take it in the dealership tells me that it is a update on the components. In fact the service manager told me that he changes about 5 of these brakes a day. I personally feel there is more to it than just an update on the brakes rotors and pads. I feel it is like the front calipers sticking or the rears are not working properly.

Consumer has suffered with brake problems since vehicle was purchased. Consumer has replaced brakes/rotors and pads within 18 months. If dealer repairs brakes they will not issue a warranty. Warranty will be given if consumer pays for repairs. Dealer said warranty wasn't given because of type car it was.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

Brake rotors and pads have been replaced three times. First time at 4,590 miles on August 16, 1999; 2nd time at 8,859 miles, and 3rd time at 14,468 miles on oct 20, 1999. When applying brakes, there is a vibration/ burning smell coming from vehicle. Please provide any further information.

I have spoken to the dealer and they are saying that the brakes are just worn out from normal wear and tear. This is silly with just 15,000 miles on a new vehicle. There seems to be a problem with the Sephia brake system.

Took vehicle to dealer because brakes were squealing when braking at any speep. After repairs still doing same thing. Consumer had brakes repaired at her expense after that. Also power steering went out. Took to dealer for repair. One day later, noticed that pump was laying ubder hood, not connected. Called kia and received no help.

Front end disc brakes keep wearing out. At approximately 12000 miles all four disc brakes and pads were replaced, covered under warranty. Then, again at approximately at 25ooo miles front end disc and pads were replaced. Pads were replaced under consumer's expense. Currently, at 31ooo miles, front end disc and pads are wearing out. Also, consumer feels vibration on pedal and steering wheel when vehicle is in motion at 55mph or greater.

Warped brakes twice and dealer won't fix because factory said no safety is a really big issue here because I have a toddler son and my car is used for all the driving around town and to and from work. Ready to throw car back in dealers face. 7 problems and failures and counting since I've had the car Dec 99'.

Since I purchase the car it has been in the shop five times one for replacement of transmission and the other four for the brakes. I contact the company and ask the to give me a knew car but they refuse to. In the mean while the transmission is going again and the brakes are still messed up and it feels like someone is pushing me from the back of the care. I cannot go fast on the high way or the steering wheel will start shaking very fast. They cannot fix the problem I took the car their five times and they donot want to replace it. If you can help me I would like that someone needs to get involved in this situation I pay $350 month and I cannot see why. Thank you.

Was taken to dealership numerous times for inaccurate readings on fuel guage, brakes worn down after 2 months, took a lot of time to pick up speed on highway causing near collisions, wheels and steering wheel vibrating violently, air conditioner not cool, burning large amounts of fuel, all problems within the first 6-8 months of ownership, no cooperation from dealership about replacing car or exchanging due to number of problems in short time span. None of the repairs have lasted without recurrence.

Brakes werr defective. When consumer applied brakes car shook, and the pedal went all the way to the floor. Then bounced back up hard. Also, brake rotors and pads had been replaced three times.

Engine was replaced at 3062 brakes have been checked by a kia rep and I was told "breaks are not ment to stop the car only slow it down ".

There have been no accidents due to this problem, however, we have had to have the pads and rotors replaced 5 times due to wearing of the pads, and warping of the rotors. The company has offered an extended warranty if we sign a release freeing them from any liability for the car other than warranty replacement parts and labor past, present or future, or resposibility for injkuries or property damage.

Brakes smell like burning plastic when applied going down a hill, brakes have been replaced on 4 separate occasions, 8-30-99, 11-29-99, 3-13-00 and 2-12-01.

Vehicle experiencing problem with vibration while traveling at hwy speed of 55 mph or more. Also, two rotors and pads was replaced wihin 1800 mile by dealer, and consumer was informed that was normal.

Brake system has been serviced by dealership five times within the last 2 years for excessive wear of brake pads and warped rotors. Dealership continued to perform service on vehicle. However, has not been able to effectively remedy problem. Please provide any additional information/attachments.

Brake rotors replaced many times. Brake pads replaced twice in 5000, fuel sensor and guage replaced, heater controls replaced twice in 5000, radio broke 3 times, dashboard replaced due to bubbling. Poor gas mileage.

Brakes keep wearing out. Dealer has replaced front brakes on 6 different occasions. This defect may cause vehicle into an automobile accident.

Car vibrates while driving and braking, ventilation/ air condition does not work right. The car has no defrostor.

Brakes are sqeaking for no reason, upon stopping the car shakes and jerks slightly.

Consumer has replaced brake pads & rotors 4 times. There was a burning smell & squeaking sound coming from brakes. Also, extended stopping distance. Deaelr claimed t brakes were being used to excessive. Dealer had tried new pads & brakes were still not fixed.

Do not buy a kia! where shall I begin?--the car has 18,654 miles and the front brake pads and rotors have been replaced 5x. Unbelieveable!! wanna hear more? I went to court on 6-15-00, NJ lemon law, and they thought the brakes were fine, so I settled for an extended warranty----now just 2 months later the brakes failed again!!!!! I have had other numerous problems such as ac, heat, stalling, radio, fuel tank and more--reminder-the car is 2 years old. Please contact me, if anyone has any questions or suggestions for me. Right now, I've been contacting kia, consumer affairs, better business bureau trying to see what I can do,cause, I don"t want the kia anymore!!!!!!!!.

Ongoing problem with excessive wear of brake rotors and pads. Dealer replaced rotors and pads on three separate occasions, and turned front rotors once. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

Braking system malfunctioned, causing extended stopping distance which may result in a crash. Also, brake pads have been replaced 3 times, and brake rotors once. Please provide further information.

No summary listed for above vehicle.

When trying to stop the vehicle there is a horrible vibration. It is very hard to control and stop the vehicle while braking. Our gas tank will not take in gas. The tank could be completely empty and it will take a dollar's worth of gas, then gas will start spewing out all over. Our car dealer said he doesn't know what it could be and hasn't heard anything from kia about this being a problem. (it isn't the gas gauge. ) the air bag light came on and stayed. We got this fixed and haven't had problems with this again. Also, we have a manuel transmission. We have had trouble with it kicking out of gear. We could be going down a highway and it will kick out of fifth gear. It does its own thing. We have had this vehicle since August and it has been nothing but problems. My wife and I no longer trust this car and this is the only vehicle we have to rely on. We also have gotten 2 recall notices from kia. One for the wipers, they can fly off at any given time and for the fuel pump being improperly installed. We contacted our dealer and they said they are waiting for kia to send them more parts, until then we must wait to bring our car in to be checked out. We have been waiting.