Equipment Problems of Kia Motor Sephia - part 1

The stupid passenger door wont close this just so darn frustrating it's also very dangerous and I am not a very happy person right now. You should make cars more safe if some one had been hurt with that stupid door I would have sued youi.

See all problems of the 2000 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

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.

See all problems of the 2001 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

The contact owns a 1999 kia Sephia LS. While driving 35 mph, the contact's vehicle caught fire after it was struck by another vehicle. The steering wheel flew off and the rearview mirror struck him in the head. The contact sustained a concussion, a fractured sternum and ribs, and a broken left elbow in two places. The vehicle was destroyed and police and fire reports were filed. The contact has pictures. Nhtsa campaign id numbers 00v175000 (engine and engine cooling:exhaust system:emission control), 99v317000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump), and 99v318000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) were referenced. The failure mileage was unknown.

See all problems of the 1999 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

1999 kia Sephia dashboard has become detached from where the windshield meets. This problem had continued to get worst. While the vehicle was in motion, a motorized noise was heard coming from the passenger side airbag. The consumer was aware of other kia vehicles experiencing this same problem. The consumer was informed that her vehicle would not be repaired because the warranty had expired.

1-leaking brake fluid inside firewall 2-dashboard disfiguring 3-exaust manifold gaskets not lasting.

See all problems of the 1998 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

1997 kia Sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed.

See all problems of the 1997 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

Dashboard warped and broke the defroster vent. Safety has been greatly compromised because air is no longer able to be directed towards the windshield during defogging/defrosting.

The defroster vents on top of the dashboard have popped off.

The horn stopped working on my 1999 kia Sephia with 61,000 miles. The dealership (which also sells and services fords) estimated the repair at $50 to $100, which I authorized. A few hours later the service manager called and told me to forget it. Due to a totally bizarre design, the horn is integrated into the airbag unit and fixing the horn requires replacing the entire airbag assembly. The cost: $650 for the part and $150 labor, total $800. If the horn design were normal, he said it would have cost less than $100. I called kia of America consumer affairs and offered to pay $100, the normal amount, toward the repair. They declined as the car is out of warranty and said that I would have to pay the full cost myself. I had placed the car on sale just before the horn went bad and have been unable to sell it as nobody wants to buy a car without a horn. Also, it is dangerous to drive a car without a warning signal in case of danger.

Computer system failure for kia Sephia that control air intake, emission.

When I bought the car the brakes felt bad because I had to push the brake all the way to the floor. After having it for 2 weeks other thing started to go wrong. I had to buy a cap and rotor and get spark plug and wires. Now the transmission is messing up. They are not willing to put me in something better. They want me to pay on a junk car that I will always have to be fixing day after day.

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.

See all problems of the 1996 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

While driving between 40-65mph transmission will downshift, and engine light will come on, making it hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.

Engine check light will come on intermittently. Also, light will stay on for days at a time or just hours at a time. Contacted dealer, and dealer cannot find the problem.

My kia Sephia was purchased in 2000 and at approximated 32,000 miles the paint on the car is peeling and faded as well as the entire dashboard has lifted and is raised. I see the same problems with other Sephia's when I am in parking lots or on the road. I called coral springs kia several times and I am being told that because I live in florida the problem is to be expected. This is a blatant lie. On Monday 9/25 I called kia customer service and spoke to john at extension 4635. He told me he would contact the dealership and someone would call me. I received a call from the service department and they offered to supply the parts but not the labor to fix the problems. This is not acceptable. If they agree to supply the parts then they knew or know this make a model is having problems. I would like to know if you can advise my next course of action.

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.

Dashboard is lifting up and affecting frontal air bag on passengers side. Dealer has been notified.

Engine check light would remain on whenever starting or while driving. Dealer notified, and an appointment have been made.

Consumer states when accelerating the vehicle speed decreases instead of increasing. Replaced parts 4 times. Problem still occurs. Nlmvehicle has been repaired for wiring harness and sensor failure, the transmission is slipping, the transmission fluid is burnt and it is leaking fluid at the shift shaft (consumer was advised to replace transmission), the over drive light keeps flashing and the check engine light illuminates due to the hold unit not being applied.

While driving about any mph when engine check light and overdrive light will come on. This situation had been a problem for consumer sixth times. When lights come on engine will stall. Dealer could not find out what is causing it.

While at a stop sign and attempting to make a turn vehicle died. Took vehicle to dealer, and they could not duplicate. Problem still was occurring. Recall 99 v 318 000 concerning engine stalling, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Engine check light stayed on, and after refueling it will not start. Please provide any further information.

Fuel guage faulty, has been replaced 4 times, brake rotors replaced less than 5000 miles. Transmission slips.

Consumer had found out that dashboard was lifting up and out vehicle. Had taken vehicle to dealer where they did not know what waas causing lifting, and they refused to repair vehicle.

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.

Engine check light and overdrive light would flash, second time vehicle just quit, this was second transmission vehicle has had.

I had the car for less than 10 hours when it died on the road, fuel pump replaced, engine light came on while driving home from repair shop.

Intermittently, engine will rev up and cannot go over 20 mph. Engine check light will come on. The cause for check the engine light was found to be computere failure. Also, transmission problem caused the vehicle to stall.

Oil light came on. Checked oil on 12/16/2000 & put in four quarts. Vehicle did not overflow. On 12/17/00 the oil light came on again at 65 mph on s/b 15 fwy. On 12/19/00 car went to high desert kia where they found nothing worng with oil light. But they replaced a exhaust sensor sliencer and center pipe was replaced. On 12/20/00, I drove to work and loma linda with no problem. On my return from loma linda the oil light came back on. I pulled over checked the oil and added one quart to make sure. Oil light remained on. Drove to the 215 fwy and the car started to skip (jolt). This was at about 70 miles per hour. As I went down the fwy it became more profound. I pulled over and called tow service. Strong burning smell coming from vehicle. Bosh kia presntly has vehicle. They still claim there is nothing wrong with this vehicle.

At one time engine check engine light went on, it was the fuel injection, then I had the brake pads replaced, not even two months later I had to get them replaced again, thats including the drums, that was because it would vibrate and when releasing the brake it would make a pop sound. After 8 months of having the vehicle the battery went dead one day I had the car towed to the dealership. The car smells like smoke. I had it check because it shifts hard and it hesitates all the time, they told me it was okay.

I have reported this intermittent problem ever since I first purchased this car; however, the dealer insists there is nothing wrong with the car since they can't detect the problem while it is in their possession. I have reported the problem at least a dozen times over the past 3 years, yet it has shown up on my maintenance slip only once or twice that I have reported it. Quite often, when I start the engine (regardless of weather conditions or whether the engine is cold or warm) and I turn the key, the starter sounds as if the engine is already running and I hear that god awful grinding sound in the selenoid. It sounds just like the engine is already running and I turn the key again. I am extremely frustrated with the dealer and am tired of reporting the problem, especially since they don't seem to want to replace it. Of course now, after 3 years, the warranty has run out and I would have to pay for any replacement. At one time, one salesman told me to continue reporting the problem because kia has received complaints from other owners with the same problem and if it's ever recalled, it will be documented. However, as I stated previously, the dealership has not been recording my complaints on the maintenance papers so it still isn't documented. I just keep wondering where I will be and how much longer it will be before it lets me setting somewhere. I realize the 800 # will cover towing, etc. But that's not much comfort when you're a woman alone and stranded somewhere and have tried numerous times to correc the problem before it does let me stranded --- hopefully not in a rural or deserted area where there are no phones or at night when I am alone. What more can I do?! no safety defect mentione din summary.

Engine fan would intermittently shut off and on. Engine check light would come on/ off intermittently. Also, problem with brakes failing to stop vehicle properly. Vehicle been in / out of dealer shop on several occasions, and problem still reoccurring. Please feel free to provide any further details on these matter.

3rd time problem with rotors. Turned 1x,replaced 1x. Check engine light came on and they're claiming that the wiring is corroded all over the car. Admits kia has problem with rotors,but won't fix it because I haven't used dealership for routine and maintenance (too expensive and bad hours. . . They charged $200 more than any other place for 30k service!same work involved!.

Engine check light would stay on, vehicle overheated & overdrive would blink on/off. Ground wire was suppose to be fixed,but vehicle caught on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Manufacturer said they couldn't do anything, filed a lawsuit. Warranty was not up on vehicle.

Front of dashboard has warped, and defrost vents are crakced causing defrost on front windshield to not function properly.

While driving 70 mph overdrive and engine check light came on. Vehicle then dropped down to 20 mph. Towed to dealer, and transmission was replaced. This happened again, and transmission was replaced again. Consumer doubted that it was replaced the second time. She never received anything in writing. On 4 June, 2001 this problem happened again. After a few minutes, she was able to resume driving at normal speed. Consumer believed transmission was defective.