1998 Kia Sephia complaints

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON & O/D LIGHT FLASHES AFTER ALMOST EVERY 300 MILES SINCE RECALL CAMPAIGN TO REPLACE ORVR VALVES WAS SERVICED BY DEALER. O/D LIGHT FLASHES WOULD THEN FOLLOW ENGINE STALLING (AFTER DRIVEN 150 MILES) AND WOULD ONLY CRANK ENGINE BUT WONT START. ALSO AFTER ORVR WAS REPLACED, EVERY FULL TANK OF FUEL ( 12.7 GALS.) WOULD CAUSE HESITATION BUT WOULD GO AWAY AFTER DRIVEN FOR 8 MILES . ENGINE STALLING LUCKILY OCCURRED ONLY ON STREET ROADS BUT COULD POSE SERIOUS RISK IF IT WOULD HAPPEN ON FREEWAYS.*AK

SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN IN USE DURING COLD WEATHER FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FAILURES SINCE. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 3500 MILES. MOLDING ON THE DOORS FELL OFF AND WAS REPLACED. TAILPIPE WAS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES. *SLC

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED AT 30-35 MPH, IT CAUSED THE REAR WHEELS TO LOCK UP. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER, AND INFORMED THAT ANY REPAIRS WOULD BE AT CONSUMER'S COST. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS ON THIS MATTER. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS AND PAD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED EVERY 6,000 MILES WHICH CAUSED EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND MAY RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNALS BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE; HOWEVER,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK

BRAKES KEEP GOING OUT VERY QUICKLY. CONSUMER HAS HAD BRAKES REPLACED 3 TIMES WITHIN ONE YEAR. *AK

CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER ON GAS GAUGE. AFTER TAKING IT IN GAS GAUGE DID NOT GO TO FULL. CURRENTLY, GAS GAUGE STILL DOES NOT GO TO FULL. JUST RECEIVED ANOTHER RECALL LETTER FOR PCV VALVE. *AK

WHEN DRIVING REAR END SLIDES FROM LEFT TO RIGHT. ALSO, TIRES ARE BALD. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

SAME DEFECT: 12/07/98-6259MI; 04/12/99-10068MI; 06/14/99-13011MI; 07/28/99-13540MI (DOT NUMBER: N/A TIRESIZE: N/A)

CONVERTER SEAM SPLIT OPEN, DEALER CHARGING TO REPLACE, IS THERE A WARRANTY FOR THIS PART ?*AK

DEFECTIVE BRAKES ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES WHICH MAY CAUSE EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, AND RESULT IN A CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING DASH PANEL ILLUMINATED; ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS BEFORE THE VEHICLE WENT DEAD. A MECHANIC TOLD CONSUMER AIR BAG MELTED. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.*AK

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE ROTORS. AT 9000 MILES ROTORS HAD TO BE RESURFACED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

BRAKE ROTORS KEEP WARPING AND ARE PREMATURELY FAILING. CONSUMER REPLACED ROTORS 8-10 TIMES. ROTORS ONLY LAST ABOUT 3 MONTHS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH CONSUMER TRIED TO PUT ON BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL WAS ALMOST RIPPED OUT OF DRIVER'S HAND. ROTORS WERE BAD,CAUSING VIBRATION. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKES. DEALER FIXED ROTORS AND BRAKES. HOWEVER, ON OCT 3, 2000 BRAKES FAILED AGAIN.*AK

BRAKES,LIGHTS,SEATS,BATTERY,AIRBAGS,ODOMETER,LEAKS,AIRCONDITION,LEFTDOORHANDLE (TIRESIZE: 14`)( DOT NUMBER: TIRE SIZE: 14` )

3 TIRES HAVE SLIPPED BELTS CAUSING SEVERE VIBRATION AND THEY REQUIRE AIR ROUTINELY. *AK (DOT NUMBER: 85H TIRESIZE: P185/65R14)

POWER STEERING PUMP MADE A WHINING NOISE WHICH WAS HEARD WHEN CAR GOT WARM, PUMP WAS REPLACED 2 TIME. *ET

THE KIA SEPHIA IS NOTHING BUT A PIECE OF JUNK. I WOULD NEVER BUY ONE AGAIN. I WANT TO SELL IT EVEN THOUGH I STILL OWE A SUBSTANTIAL AMOUNT OF MONEY ON IT. NO SAFETY DEFEC TLISTED IN SUMMARY. *AK

COURTESY IMPORTS-HENDERSON NV. I WON'T RECOMMEND THIS CAR TO ANYONE. CAR'S ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALER , BUT PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED THE FIRST TIME, AGAIN ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON, CAR DRIVES POORLY- SHIFTS TERRIBLY, JERKS AND ENGINE REVS IN IDLE. , WE TOOK IT BACK, TUNE-UP SUGGESTED, TUNE-UP DONE. STILL ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON, WE BRING IT BACK, PICK IT UP WHEN READY, RETURN IT FOR SAME PROBLEM, NOW ON 6TH RETURN FOR REPAIR SINCE 7/17/00. I THINK IT'S A REAL LEMON. I JUST WANT MY CAR BACK WORKING PROPERLY! IT'S A TERRIBLE CAR. IF YOU WANT ME TO FAX YOU THE WORK ORDERS/SERVICE HISTORY SHEETS I HAVE I LOVED TOO.

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40MPH, VEHICLE STOPPED SUDDENLY IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. HAD NO PRIOR WARNING. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC COULD NOT LOCATE CAUSE OF PROBLEM.*AK

CONSUMER WAS DRIVING OVER A SPEED BUMP WHEN THE AIRBAG EXPERIENCED FALSE DEPLOYMENT CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE WINDSHIELD. *SLC

DRIVER SIDE WIPER LINK FALLS OFF WHEN WINDSHIELD GETS ALITTLE DRY & WIPERS START TO DRAG

PREMATURE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. DEALER HAS REPAIRED AND REPLACED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES.*AK IN ADDITION HEATER CORE, ALTERNATOR, STARTER,SPARK PLUGS, FRONT WINDSHIELD AND DOOR WEATHER STRIPS FAILED. *YH

THE ROTORS ARE TO THIN AND WARP BADLY WHEN USED IN TERRIAN REQUIRING A LOT OF BRAKING.

WHILE TRYING AND PUT ON BRAKES VEHICLE SHAKES HARD.*AK

WITHIN 35,000 MILES, MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA LS HAS HAD THE FRONT BRAKES REPLACED TWICE (ROTORS, CALIPERS AND PADS THE FIRST TIME, ROTORS AND PADS THE SECOND TIME). ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN, THE DESIGN OF THE ROTORS IS THE PROBLEM.... THEY ARE TOO. *AK

I WILL NEVER EVER EVER BUY ANOTHER KIA--THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF JUNK!!!

THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTING, BATTERY REPLACED AND OTHER REPAIRS COMPLETED HOWEVER THE ENGINE IS STILL NOT STARTING. *MJS

BRAKES CONSTANTLY BREAK DOWN AND SQUEAK. HAS HAD A FEW NEAR MISSES. HE HAD TO GO OFF THE ROAD TO KEEP VEHICLE FROM HITTING ANOTHER AUTOMOBILE. *AK

CONSUMER HAD RECALL 99V317000/ FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR FIXED ON JANUARY 3, 2000 . VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING UNDER THE HOOD & CAUGHT ON FIRE. MANUFACTURER WAS SUPPOSE TO INVESTIGATE THE MATTER, BUT CONSUMER HASN'T HEARD ANYTHING. *AK

EXCESSIVE WEAR OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AT APPROXIMATELY EVERY 3,000-4,000 MILES. MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *AK

REAR LAP SEATBELTS ARE TOO LONG WHICH WILL NOT SECURE A CHILD OR A SMALL GROWN PASSENGER CORRECTLY, LAP BELT WILL REST AGAINST RIBS. *AK

BRAKES PADS/ROTORS CALIPERS WERE REPLACED 3 TIMES BECAUSE THEY PREMATURELY WORE OUT AND CAUSED SQUEAKING AND GRINDING NOISES, WHICH RESULTED IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE AND MAY CAUSE A CRASH. DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE CAUSE. *AK AIR CONDITION FAILED. *YH

BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED 3 TIMES. CURRENTLY, VEHICLE HAS 20,000 MILES. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THIS FIRST CAR WAS TO BE TRANSPORTATION TO WORK/SCHOOL BUT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE SINCE A FEW DAYS OFF THE LOT. NOW IT IS UNSAFE AND UNDRIVABLE DUE TO A MALFUNCTION THAT MAKES THE CAR JERK CONSTANTLY AND STALL IN TRAFFIC. PLEASE, DO NOT BUY A KIA. IT WILL BE A SERIOUS WASTE OF RESOURCES. *AK

BARELY APPLYING THE BRAKES ROTORS WILL GRAB, CAUSING A SEVERE VIBRATION IN THE FRONT END. DEALER CLAIMS ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *AK

SINCE I PURCHASED THE CAR IN 1999, I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER 4 TIMES FOR THE ENGIN LT STAYING ON; STILL ON AND NOT REPAIRED. LT WOULD BE BACK ON THE SAME DAY OR NEXT DAY AFTER PICKING UP FROM DEALERSHIP; BRAKES NEEDED FOR INSPECTION; NOT INSTALLED PROPERLY; SQUEEKY AND WHOLE FRONT END MAKES NOISES WHEN YOU TOUCH THE BRAKES TO SLOW DOWN OR STOP.

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

CONTACTED LAWYER AND SUED FOR REFUND WHICH I GOT!!!!! LEMON LAW. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED WITHIN SUMMARY. *AK

ROTORS KEEPS GOING OUT, CAUSING LOSS OF BRAKES. HAS HAD ONE ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF IT. DEALER STATES THAT MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*AK

ENGINE SHUTS OFF INTERMITENTLY WITHOUT WARNING. SEVERAL FAILED ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR. FILING FOR LEMON LAW.*AK

CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 35MPH ON THE HIGHWAY AND ANOTHER VEHICLE CUT INTO CONSUMER'S LANE, AND VEERED INTO CONSUMER'S VEHICLE BROADSIDE. UPON IMPACT, DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DIDN'T GO OFF. ALSO AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ALWAYS ON.*AK

THE FIRST PROBLEM WAS THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, THE CAR KEPT BLOWING FUSES AND WOULD NOT START. AFTER 4 VISITS TO A KIA SERVICE CENTER IT WAS LEARNED THAT THE FUSE BOX HAD BEEN BUILT WRONG. KIA HAD A REBUILD KIT ON HAND FOR THIS PROBLEM AND CORRECTED IT, AS WELL AS REPLACEING A NUMBER OF SENSORS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT DAMAGED BY THIS PROBLEM. NEXT WAS THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH WHOULD AND DOES SWITCH GEARS FOR NO REASON, JUMPING INTO HIGHER GEAR OR DOWNSHIFING INTO LOWER GEAR WITHOUT WARNING AND STAYING THERE UNTIL THE CAR IS BROUGHT TO A COMPLETE HALT. THIS PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN TRACED, KIA SERVICE TECHNICIANS CLAIMED TO HAVE DRIVEN THE VEHICLE EXTENSIVELY BUT COULD NOT REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM, DISPITE THE FACT THAT IT OCCURES FREQUENTLY FOR MYSELF AND MY WIFE. THE BRAKES STARTED ACTING FUNNEY AT AROUND 11,000 MILES AND UPON INSPECTION BY KIA PERSONELL WERE FOUND TO BE WORN EXCESSIVELY IN THE CENTER OF THE ROTORS, DISPITE TELLING ME THAT IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM KIA REFUSED TO REPAIR IT, SAYING THAT IT WAS A MAINTIANCE ISSUE, AND NOT A DEFECT. THE DOOR LATCHES FAILED ON A TRIP TO INDIANA AND THE DOORS HAD TO BE LOCKED OR THEY WOULD NOT STAY CLOSED. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH FAILED AT THE SAME TIME, FALLING OPEN AT ANY BUMP AND THE HANDLE WAS FALLING OFF, SO IT HAD TO BE LEFT OPEN THE ENTIRE TIME. THE WEATHER STRIPPING BEGAN FALLING OFF SHORTLY THEREAFTER CAUSEING WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR, AND SOMETIMES PREVENTING THE DOORS FROM CLOSEING CORRECTLY. I HAVE ATTEMPTED ON NUMERIOUS OCC

VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING CORRECTLY. IT WOULD SHIFT ROUGHLY AND HARD. ALSO, BRAKES MADE A SQUEAKING NOISE WHEN DRUVING. *AK

BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS FAILED. NLM

REFUEL SPIT-BACK. FUEL WILL SPIT OUT OF FUEL TANK UPON REFUELING THE CAR. FUEL WILL USUALLY SPIT OUT WHEN TANK IS 3/4 FULL (AVG OF 6.3 GAL.) HOWEVER, WILL SPIT BACK AT 1/2 GAL. AS WELL. PAINT BENEATH GAS FILL PORT HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DISOLVED, BODY DAMAGE ALSO OCCURRING. *AK

BRAKE LINE HOSE BUSTED WHILE DRIVING ON EXPRESSWAY AT ABOUT 50 MPH, AND THERE WAS TOTAL BRAKE FAILURE. CONSUMER HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP VEHICLE. *AK