2001 KIA Sephia

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/29/2003· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGSCrashFire

  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 THE DOOR HANDLE. SOMEONE OPENED THE DOOR TO LET HER OUT. A PASSENGER HAD RECENTLY EXITED THE CAR OR THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DELPOYED AND WENT DOWN SO FAST THAT THE DRIVERS HEAD WAS JERKED BACK AND LET DROP SO THAT IT DID NOT REDUCE THE WHIPLASH SIGNIFACANTLY.*AK

• 12/26/2001· POWER TRAIN

  VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY ON A SLIGHT INCLINE. I MADE SURE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN PARK, TURNED OFF AND I REMOVED THE KEY. I WENT INSIDE AND AN HOUR LATER I WAS INFORMED BY MY UNCLE THAT MY CAR WAS SITTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE DRIVEWAY. WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE MY CAR WAS IN NEUTRAL AND HAD ROLLED BACKWARDS DOWN THE DRIVEWAY. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED BACK UP THE DRIVEWAY I TRIED TO TAKE THE KEY OUT AFTER PUTTING THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN REVERSE AND TRIED TO REMOVE THE KEY, IT AGAIN WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TO REMOVE THE KEY. I THEN PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED THE CAR OFF, AND REMOVED THE KEY. AFTER REMOVING THE KEY, I TRIED TO FORCE THE GEAR INTO REVERSE AND INTO NEUTRAL, IT WOULD NOT ALLOW ME TOO. I PRESSED ON THE BRAKE AND PULLED ON THE GEAR TO GET IT TO MOVE AND IT WOULD NOT. MY FATHER, AND INSURANCE AGENT, HAD INFORMED ME THAT A WHILE BACK THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN SOME FORD VEHICLE'S. THE RESULT OF THE MANUFACTURER DEFECT WAS THAT THE TRANSMISSIONS WERE THROWING THEMSELVES INTO REVERSE. I HAVE SPOKEN TO MECHANICS AND THEY SAY THAT IT IS POSSIBLE FOR A VEHICLE WITH A TRANSMISSION DEFECT TO THROW THEMSELVES INTO NEUTRAL, BUT WHEN I CALLED AROUND TO DIFFERENT KIA DEALERS, THEY REFUSE TO BELIEVE ME AND TELL ME THAT IT WAS HUMAN ERROR. THERE IS NO WAY THAT I COULD HAVE REMOVED THE KEY IF THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IN PARK. I AM AFFRAID THAT A CHILD MAY BE PLAYING BEHIND MY CAR, OR AN INDIVIDUAL MAY BE HARMED IF THIS WERE TO HAPPEN AGAIN, SO IF YOU COULD PLEASE LOOK INTO IT, AND LET ME KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE THAT I CAN DO BESIDES SET MY PARKING BREAK. THANK YOU.*AK

• 12/23/2002· SEAT BELTSCrash

  CONSUMER STATES WHEN HAD A ACCIDENT THE REAR SEAT SHOULDER STRAPS DID NOT LOCK CAUSING INJURIES. TS

• 12/12/2001· STRUCTURE

  GOT OUT OF VEHICLE TO CHECK MY MAIL W/2 KIDS, 22 MONTHS & 6 MONTHS IN CAR. IGNITION & EMERGENCY BRAKE LEFT ON. CAME BACK TO CAR, PULLED DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOORS, AND AUTOMATIC POWER LOCKS CLICKED AND LOCKED DOORS WHEN I LIFTED THE HANDLE TO OPEN DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR. KIDS WERE LOCKED IN UNHEATED RUNNING CAR FOR OVER 1 HOUR. POLICE CALLED, TOW SERVICE GOT CAR OPEN. DOORS SHOULD 1) NOT LOCK WHEN SIMPLY PULLING ON DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN DOOR & 2) SHOULD NOT LOCK WITH KEY IN IGNITION. YOUNGER CHILD SLEPT THROUGH INCIDENT, BUT OLDER CHILD WAS VERY SCARED AND DISTRAUGHT. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A DISASTER HAD THE CAR BEEN IN A GARAGE (I.E. CARBON MONOXIDE POISONING).*AK

• 12/10/2002· SEAT BELTS

  CONSUMER STATES THAT THE REAR SEAT BELT DID NOT LOCK WHEN DRIVE SLAMMED ON BRAKES, CAUSING INJURIES. TS

• 12/08/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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 THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,984. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB

• 12/07/2001· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC ON THREE SEPARATE OCCASIONS. DEALER HAS REPLACED SEVERAL ELECTRICAL OR COMPUTER PARTS AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I HAVE TOLK KIA THAT I NO LONGER WANT THE CAR (LEMON LAW). KIA VERY HARD TO WORK WITH AND GET ANSWERS FROM. I HAVE CONTACTED AN ATTORNEY AND LOCAL NEWS MEDIA TO HELP SETTLE THE PROBLEM. OTHER KIA LEMON CASES IN COURT AT THIS DATE. CONTACT ME AT ARSONRAT@AOL.COM IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

• 12/06/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

• 12/04/2003· STRUCTURE

  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 UNABLE TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE WATER LEAK. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *PH 2001 KIA SEPHIA EXPERIENCING A PROBLEM WHERE WATER LEAKS INTO THE VEHICLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH MOISTURE DEVELOPING ON THE WINDSHIELD WHICH IS IMPAIRING THE DRIVER'S VISIBILITY. CONSUMER ALSO CONCERNED OF A MOLD THAT IS GROWING ON THE VEHICLE'S CARPET.*MR

• 12/04/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/02/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  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

• 11/25/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE BALL JOINT SNAP CAUSING A VEHICLE ACCIDENT. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

• 11/17/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 11/12/2002· SUSPENSIONCrash

  NO SUMMARY. DT

• 11/07/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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 COMPRESSOR AND BELTS REPLACED($975). THE DEALERSHIP ALSO DOES NOT OFFER A LOANER CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT. *NM

• 10/30/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE RESTART AFTER STALLING OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC CHANGED IGNITION CABLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

• 10/30/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHEN DRIVING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND HESITATE, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES, REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ RESET CODES, AND CHANGED SPARK PLUGS. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/26/2000· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN CONSUMER BOUGHT VEHICLE BRAND NEW SHE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE HAD A BURNING SMELL LIKE RUBBER. ALSO, VEHICLE WILL HESITATE, AND WOULDN'T MOVE AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

• 10/19/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (CHECK ENG. LIGHT) MONITORS EMISSIONS, BUT CAN BE TRIPPED OFF BY A LOOSE FUEL FILLER CAP AS PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL EXPLANATION SEC. 4-32. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN SUCH A LIGHT CAN COME ON WITH SUCH REGULARITY THAT IT IS LISTED IN THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL AND YET THE OWNER IS SUPPOSED TO HEED THE LIGHT EACH AND EVERY TIME REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER DRIVING PREDICAMENT? SUCH AN OBVIOUSLY FAULTY SENSOR SYSTEM SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN CARS. I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE DEALER THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR ALL FUTURE "REPAIRS" SINCE I WAS NEGLIGENT IN SECURING THE FUEL CAP ACCORDING TO THEM. I HARDLY THINK THAT I WAS NEGLIGENT IN SECURING THE FUEL CAP THREE TIMES IN A FIVE MONTH PERIOD, IT REALLY ISN'T THAT DIFFICULT. I BELIEVE THE OBD IS FAULTY SINCE THE OWNER'S MANUAL EVEN POINTS OUT ITS OVERSENSITIVITY TO "LOOSE" FUEL CAPS. IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF IT ISN'T THE FUEL CAP AT ALL, BUT RATHER THE VAPOR RECOVERY VALVES FAILING AGAIN AND SETTING OFF THE OBD LIGHT.*AK

• 10/18/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN FOR A ROUTINE CHECK, DEALER STATED FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKES NEEDED REPLACING, BECAUSE OF NEW DESIGN IN ROTORS. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

• 10/08/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  WHENEVER TANK IF FILLED[NOT TOPPED OFF] GAS BURPS BACK OUT OF THE FILLER NECK, SPILLING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR, AND GETTING ON WHOEVER FILLES THE CAR. MR REFERENCED IN RQ03-006

• 10/06/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 10/01/2004· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 10/01/2003· AIR BAGSCrash

  CONSUMER STATED AS A RESULT OF A HEAD ON CRASH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

• 09/29/2003· SEAT BELTS,SEATSCrash

  I WAS STOPPED AT A YIELD SIGN DUE TO ONCOMING TRAFFIC AND WAS STUCK FROM THE REAR FROM ANOTHER VEHICLE. MY SEATBELT DID NOT LOCK AND MY CHEST STRUCK THE STEERING WHEEL AND REBOUNDED INTO THE SEAT. MY SEAT MOVED FORWARD CAUSING DIFFICULTY EXITING THE VEHICLE.

• 09/20/2000· POWER TRAIN

  THE FIRST DAY DRIVING THE VEHICLE, I DROVE APPROX. 3 MILES AND THE "ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON AND THE "OVERDRIVE-OFF" LIGHT KEPT FLASHING OFF AND ON. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME IT WAS A DEFECTIVE SHIFT LEVER BUSHING AND THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 3 DAYS TO REPLACE THE PART. A WEEK LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT AND O/D LIGHTS CAME ON AGAIN. DEALERSHIP COULDN'T FIND PROBLEM, SO THEY CALLED THE KIA MANAUFACTURING PLANT AND THE FACTORY SAID THEY HAVE HAD OVER 2,000 COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THERES A FLAW IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND IT'S NOT DETRIMENTAL TO THE ENGINE, BUT THEY ARE IN THE PROCESS OF MAKING THE RIGHT PART TO SEND OUT TO THE DEALERSHIPS TO HANDLE THE PROBLEM. WHETHER THIS IS ACCURATE OR NOT, I WAS ONLTY TAKING THE SERVICE MANAGERS WORD FOR IT. *AK

• 09/16/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  MASTER CYLINDER GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FEELS VERY UNSAFE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 09/16/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  FUEL INJECTORS ARE LEAKING. THIS CAUSES VEHICLE TO SHUT DOWN AT 40 MPH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 09/13/2004· TIRES

  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 THAT THE TIRES THAT WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE. *AK

• 09/06/2001· STRUCTURE

  WEATHER STRIPPING ON THE DOOR(RIGHT REAR) KEEPS COMING OFF AND DOESN'T ALLOW THE DOOR TO CLOSE PROPERLY. SERVICE 4 TIMES AND REPLACED TWICE.

• 08/31/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  VEHICLE REPEATEDLY STALLS. TAKEN TO THE DEALTERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES ,AND TOLD THAT THE PROBLEM DID NOT OCCUR WHEN THEY HAD THE VEHICLE; THEREFORE, THEY ARE UNABLE TO FIX. DEALERSHIP ACTED AS IF THEY NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM WHEN I SEE NOW THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. VEHICLE IS ONLY USED TO DRIVE IN AREA - MOSTLY TAKING 2 OF MY 3 YOUNG CHILDREN TO SCHOOL.*AK

• 08/31/2001· AIR BAGS,SEATSCrash

  WHILE WAITING AT STOP LIGHT ANOTHER VEHICLE REARENDED VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, FRONT SEATBACKS COLLAPSED BACKWARDS INTO THE REAR. THEN, VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO A DITCH , AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. PASSENGER SUFFERED BROKEN BACK AND LEG. DRIVER SUFFERED SEVERE BACK SPRAIN. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED.*AK *YD

• 08/28/2003· WHEELS

  WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH DRIVER FELT A SHAKING IN THE FRONT LEFT TIRE. CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, AND DISCOVERED THAT A TIRE WAS MISSING TWO LUGS: NUTS. *AK

• 08/27/2010· AIR BAGSCrash

  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 INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHERE HIS HEAD WAS LODGED IN THE GLASS. HE SUSTAINED A SEVERE AND PERMANENT CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND NOW REQUIRES 24/7 CARE. IN ADDITION TO SUFFERING A CLOSED HEAD INJURY, MY SON'S KNEE IMPACTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED SEVERE HIP AND LEG INJURIES. KIA DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND LITIGATION IS ONGOING. EXPERTS IN THE LITIGATION ESTIMATE THE EBS OF THE CRASH TO BE BETWEEN 12 & 18 MPH. *TR

• 08/21/2001· SEAT BELTS

  WHILE TRAVELING WITH REAR SEAT BELTS ON SEAT BELTS LOCKS UP AND PASSANGER WAS UNABLE TO MOVE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MFR HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

• 08/20/2002· AIR BAGSCrash

  WHILE DRIVING 5-10 MPH VEHICLE WAS HIT IN FRONT END BY ANOTHER VEHICLE GOING ABOUT 35 MPH. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. NO INJURIES, DAMAGE TO VEHICLE UNKNOWN AT THIS TIME.*AK

• 08/18/2004· LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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.

• 08/17/2004· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,WHEELS

  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 THOUSAND MILES LATER), AC BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR REPLACED, ALL MIRRORS WERE REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORT IN DOME LIGHT, & IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT 2001, AND WAS PUT IN SHOP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JAN. 2002 AND HAS BEEN THERE 55 DAYS SINCE. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. SORRY, BUT THIS CAR IS JUNK. AND I HATE TO HAVE HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE BUYING MY FIRST NEW VEHICLE. *JB

• 08/12/2004· POWER TRAIN

  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 MAINTAINED THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM.*AK

• 08/08/2002· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  BRAKES ARE NOISY. THERE IS AN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. CONTACTED DEALER. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT SHE HAS HAD TO SHUT VEHICLE OFF TO STOP IT. (AT RED LIGHT/STOP SIGNS) CONSUMER FEELS BY SHUTTING THE VEHICLE OFF, IT WILL PREVENT AN ACCIDENT. *SCC

• 08/08/2002· UNKNOWN OR OTHER

  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. *AK

• 08/08/2002· POWER TRAIN

  TRANSMISSION IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY,.GEARS HAVE BECOME HARDER TO CHANGE, AND WHEN DRIVING, TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP AT TIMES. CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

• 08/05/2002· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING 60MPH A LARGE OBJEC FELL OFF THE BACK OF A TRUCK AND HIT FRONT OF CAR ,AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.*AK

• 07/27/2011· FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

  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

• 07/18/2004· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  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 100,000 MILES BEFORE EVER HAVING TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP. I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD LAST MORE THAT A YEAR OR YEAR AND A HALF. I ALSO HAD THE SHIFTER REPLACED DUE TO A DEFECT. THIS IS A PART I HAVE NEVER HAD TO REPACE ON A VEHICLE EVEN WITH 300,000 MILES!! THE FUEL PUMP IS MY BIGGEST COMPAINT HOWEVER. I AM JUST OVER THE 60, 000 MILE WARRANTY AND THE FUEL PUMP IS GOING OUT FOR THE SECOND TIME. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACE AFTER I HAD THE VEHICLE FOR ONLY A YEAR. THE MAJORITY OF THE MILES ON THE CAR ARE HIGHWAY MILES AS I HAVE APPROX. A 70 MILE COMMUTE PER DAY. I CAN'T BELIEVE I WOULD BE THE ONLY PERSON THAT HAS HAD THE PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP. ALL MAINTENANCE AND OIL CHANGES HAVE BEEN DONE ON SCHEDULE. I ONLY USE GAS FROM EITHER A TEXACO OR CHEVRON STATION...NO CHEAP GAS SO THIS IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO SWALLOW. PLEASE LET ME KNOW IF THERE HAVE BEEN OTHER SIMILAR COMPAINTS. THANK YOU

• 07/15/2002· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VEHICLE DOES NOT HAVE ANY POWER. VEHICLE HAS BEEN CHECKED BY DEALER, WHO HAS REPLACED WIRE HARNESS/ 2 COMPUTER CHIPS, AND TRANSMISSION TWICE. VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP 7/3/02, AND BROKE DOWN AGAIN. CONSUMER HAS TO HAVE PEDAL FLOORED FOR VEHICLE TO MOVE.*AK

• 07/13/2002· POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,EQUIPMENT

  BOUGHT NEW CAR. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. INSIDE DOOR LOCKS (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). HORN MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND COIL (REPLACED 1 TIME). REAR DEFROST MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 1 TIME.) AIR FILTER COVER SCREWS AND HOLES STRIPPED OUT (REPLACED 1 TIME). AIR CONDITIONER FAN-SCRAPING NOISE (NEVER REPAIRED). OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION (CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT). STICK SHIFT WAS "JUMPING AROUND"-REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD (REPLACED 1 TIME). KNOCK SENSOR MALFUNCTION (REPLACED 1 TIME). DASH DIALS NOT WORKING (REPLACED FUSE 1 TIME). PROBLEMS STARTED DAY AFTER I PURCHASED CAR-SHOULD HAVE HEEDED THE OBVIOUS WARNING! DO NOT BUY KIA!

• 07/12/2016· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

  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 SWITCHES. MY CELL IS [XXX] I JUST WANT A NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX THIS IN 07646 AREA CODE. I,E AN EXPERT ON POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [XXX] THIS IS SORT OF A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS I NEED A KIA SPECIALISTS HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

• 07/09/2003· POWER TRAIN

  WHILE DRIVING MANUAL TRANSMISSION BROKE. DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ONE TIME. ONCE AGAIN TRANSMISSION BROKE, AND VEHICLE WAS OUT WARRANTY. *AK

• 06/25/2001· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  WHEN CONSUMER STARTS UP THE VEHICLE AND AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, WHEN HE GOES TO SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF AND RESTART THE VEHICLE - HE HAS TO TURN THE IGNITION FOUR (4) TIMES BEFORE THE ENGINE WILL TURN OVER. THE DEALERSHIP HAS EXAMINED THE VEHICLE THREE TIMES AND BEEN UNABLE TO EFFECTIVELY CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THE DEALERSHIP TO DATE HAS REPLACED AIR FILTERS AND THE FUEL PUMP. *AK