1999 Kia Sephia

Defect. ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.

Risk. THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. MANUFACTURING CHANGES WERE MADE TO THE ORVR SPRING FORCE AND FLOAT WIRE LENGTH REDUCING THE VALVE ANGLE. CERTAIN VALVES CAUSED FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY.

Risk. THIS WOULD CAUSE CUSTOMERS TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK CAUSING FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ORVR VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN NOVEMBER 13, 2000. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FOR THE FUEL PUMP IS GROUNDED AT JUNCTION CONNECTOR G300. IF THE PIN TENSION IS POOR, OR THE BOLT SECURING THE CONNECTOR TO THE VEHICLE FLOOR IS NOT TIGHTENED SUFFICIENTLY, A POOR CONNECTION IS MADE. AS THE FUEL PUMP OPERATES, THE POOR CONNECTION CAN CREATE HEAT WHICH IN TURN INCREASES RESISTANCE. EVENTUALLY THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. THIS CORRECTIVE ACTION IS BEING PERFORMED IN CONJUNCTION WITH RECALL NO. 99V317.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ELECTRICAL CURRENT TO THE FUEL PUMP PASSES THROUGH THE C304 AND C305 CONNECTORS. IF EXPOSED TO MOISTURE, THESE CONNECTORS COULD CORRODE. OVER TIME, THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO OPERATE.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE EXISTING CONNECTORS AND REPOSITION THOSE CONNECTORS TO AN AREA WHERE THE PLACEMENT IS DESIGNED TO PREVENT CONTACT WITH MOISTURE.

Defect. VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE BALL SOCKET ON THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK MAY BE OUT OF TOLERANCE RESULTING IN THE LINK DISENGAGING FROM THE WIPER MOTOR DRIVE UNDER LOAD, SUCH AS PUSHING AGAINST ICE, SNOW OR OTHER RESISTANCE. ALSO THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUT COULD BE INADEQUATELY TIGHTENED ALLOWING THE WIPER ARM TO SLIP AND/OR STOP FUNCTIONING.

Risk. THIS CONDITION COULD CAUSE IMPAIRMENT OF VISIBILITY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy. DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WINDSHIELD WIPER LINK AND ALSO PROPERLY TIGHTEN THE WIPER ARM RETAINING NUTS.

The manufacturer has initiated a safety related campaign to recall the subject vehicles for correction of the seat belt buckle defect.the corrective action is to replace the seat belts/buckles.this safety recall program has been assigned NHTSA campaign no. 04v305.

Based on the low rate of fuel spit-back incedents (14.3 incidents per 100,000 vehicles sold), a low warranty claims rate of 0.02 percent, and the lack of engineering information that would support the presence of an engineering defect, a safety-related defect trend has not been identified and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.accordingly, this investigation is closed.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the …

Information received and analyzed during this rq disclosed that my 1999 and 2000 kia sephia and sportage vehicles were equipped with modified versions of the same safety belt latch assembly as those recalled in campaign no. 02v-216.these latch assemblies were identified as type a97. Odi analyses indicate a continuing trend of consumer complaints following a series of design modifications made by kia to improve the a97 latch assembly.my 2001 and 2002 subject vehicles were equipped with different design latch assemblies (type db-6 or autoliv) and exhibit a much lower complaint count.this rq has …

In june 2000, kia notified odi of a defect condition in approximately 100,000 my 1998-99 sephia passenger vehicles manufactured from october 17, 1997 to may 16, 1999, that could result in fuel spit back while refueling (ea99-034, recall 00v-175).according to kia, manufacturing changes made to the onboard refueling vapor recovery (orvr) valve could cause fuel shut off before the tank reached 95% of nominal capacity during refueling.kia stated that if the consumer then attempted to add more fuel to the tank, fuel spillback or spitback from the fuel filler neck could occur.kia replaced the orvr …

Odi gathered fire data from various sources and inspected subject vehicles to assess the scope and frequency of non-crash engine compartment fires caused by starter cable chafing.odi's analysis found that most of the suspect fires occurred after the vehicle had received service repairs in the area of the subject cable.consumer complaint data indicate that the problem experience has declined since a peak in late 2001.the most recent known event occurred in november of 2002. Kia will perform a service campaign beginning in late 2003 to inspect subject vehicles built prior to january 2000 for …

The oil cooler line allegedly develops leaks at it's junction to the radiator

There is no summary currently available

Allege that while driving, the trun signal switch failed.this failure increases the risk of a vehicle crash due to operator distraction and due to other vehicles being uninformed of the operator's intentions.

The number and dates of complaints and warrant claims reported by Kia indicates that fuel spit-back has been a serieous ongoing problem with the Sephia models.Kia has made changes in both the ORVR valve and in the installation process on the fuel tank check valve, in an attempt to correct the problem.The failure of the check valve, due to cracking during installation, could go undetected until problems develop with the ORVR valve.Should an ORVR valve malfunction, when the vehicle has a tank chech valve with a latent crack, significant fuel spitting out the fuel filler pipe during refueling is …

Kia issued a Kia Technical Times in October 1998 stating that, due to loose connections at the fuel pump ground at G300, the fuel pump may shut off intermittently.The corrective action is to solder the fuel pump ground terminals at the terminal connec

The subject vehicles are equipped with Onboard Refueling Vapor Recover Systems.Owners report that, during the refueling process, fuel sprays out of the refueling opening and soaks the person refueling the vehicle with liquid gasoline

WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 75 MPH THE TOP LAYER OF THE HOOD (SKIN) SEPARATED FROM THE HOOD AND FLEW UPWARD INTO THE WINDSHIELD AND DETACHED ITSELF FROM THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE DRIVERS VISION OF ROADWAY TO BE BLOCKED. ONCE IT DETACHED ITSELF CAUSING HIGH RISK OF SAFETY FOR OTHER DRIVERS BEHIND THE KIA SEPHIA.

SEAT BELTS WORK IMPROPERLY, WINDSHIELD WIPERS DON'T WORK, FUEL PUMP IS WORKING INEFFICIENTLY.

SEAT BELT PATCH CLICKS BUT WILL COME LOOSE WITH TENSION. THIS IS THE SECOND RECALL NOTICE THAT HASN'T BEEN REPAIRED OR REPORTED BY KIA AFTER 17 YEARS.

FILLED TANK & HAD OVERFLOWING SPILLAGE DOWN SIDE OF CAR (INDICATED VERY FULL TANK) FINISHED CLEANING UP EXCESS FUEL & TURN CAR ON BUT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD ONLY READ 2/3 FULL, THEN NEEDLE ROSE TO 3/4- I JUST GOT THE CAR ON MONDAY 11/7/16 & THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE NOW, ONCE WHEN LEAVING LA AFTER BUYING/TRANSFERRING TITLE & AGAIN TODAY. DECIDED TO GOOGLE THE 'SYMPTOM' & I'M SHOCKED THAT A 17-YEAR-OLD CAR FROM 1999 HAD RECALL RECORDS BUT WAS NEVER FIXED!!! PREVIOUS OWNER(S) WAS OLDER COUPLE THAT HAD BOUGHT IT FROM A DEALERSHIP & OWNED IT SINCE 2004. THE 17-YEAR-OLD '99 SEPHIA HAS ONLY 75K MILES ON ODOMETER AS OF NOVEMBER 2016 HOWEVER WAS NEVER REPAIRED UNDER RECALL ORDER.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1990 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH WHEN MAKING A RIGHT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO MOVE. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNAVAILABLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ALL THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVEN TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 99V317000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). HE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING ANY FAILURES AT THE TIME, BUT HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTORS. IN 2003 (THREE YEARS LATER), THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL AT ANY SPEED. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED A NO START CONDITION. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED IN 2006. HE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR WAS CORRODED AGAIN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AGAIN; HOWEVER, THE CONTACT BELIEVES THAT THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT THE CORRECT REMEDY BECAUSE THE CORROSION OCCURS EVERY THREE YEARS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000. UPDATED 08/06/09.*JB

WHEN IT GETS COLD, ABOUT 20 DEGREES, THE FRONT DOORS WILL FREEZE OPEN. FOR INSTANCE, IN THE MORNING I WILL HAVE TO PULL ON THE DOOR HARD TO GET IT TO OPEN BECAUSE IT'S FROZEN AND THEN THE DOOR WILL STAY OPEN (THE LATCH WILL FREEZE) UNTIL IT GETS ABOVE 35 DEGREES. EVEN WITH THE HEAT GOING FOR OVER AN HOUR IT WILL NOT UNFREEZE. I HAVE TO HOLD THE DOOR CLOSED AS I DRIVE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE DASHBOARD WAS COMING APART FROM THE INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR GUARDS WERE BEGINNING TO CRACK. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 63,030 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

TL*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.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 KIA SEPHIA. SHORTLY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, IT FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. ONE MONTH LATER, WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SPUTTER AND EVENTUALLY SHUT OFF. PRIOR TO SHUTTING OFF, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER STEERING ABILITY AND THE CONTACT STRUCK A CURB. THE CV AXLE JOINT WAS DAMAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 147,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

HAVE REPLACED PADS AND TURNED ROTORS MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE MAY 07. IN MAY 08 MY ABS SYSTEM FAILED CAUSING A WRECK! HAD PADS REPLACED IN JANUARY 08. *TR

FAX ON BEHALF OF, RE AN ACCIDENT WITH HIS 1999 KIA SEPHIA THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY AND THE BACK BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE. *KB *JB

TRANSMISSION FAILURE 3 TIMES/ REPLACED 2 TIMES. *JB

I OWN A 1999 KIA SEPHIA AND MY DAUGHTER USES IT AT SCHOOL. THE PROBLEM IS THAT KIA WILL NOT HONOR THE WARRANTY FOR THE REPAIR OF THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CASE REF NBR IS K1085742. MANY REASON WERE GIVEN, ALL RELATING TO A MANUAL ENGINE FLUSH, COOLANT FLUSH,ETC. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THERE IS NO CORRELATION BETWEEN THE DEFECTIVE PART AND THE SELECTED MAINTENANCE ITEM. MY DAUGHTER SHOULD NOT HAVE PAID FOR THE CONVERTER. (ALSO THEY ARE ABOUT 50% OF THEIR COST ON THE OPEN MARKET). *NM

1999 SEPHIA BRAKES, TRANSMISSION WERE REPLACED. CONSUMER FEELS THAT THE EXHAUST SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TS THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINE THAT THERE WAS A SPLIT IN THE CENTERPIPE OF THE EXHAUST WHICH CAUSED IT TO BE LOUD. THE PART IS A PIECE OF FLEXIBLE HOUSING. THE PART COULD NOT BE PURCHASED SEPARATELY BUT THE CONSUMER HAD TO PURCHASE THE ENTIRE PIPE. THE PART WAS REPLACED BUT SPLIT AGAIN THREE MORE TIMES. *NM SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED, THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED AND GAS LEAKAGE PROBLEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED.

THERE IS SEVERE VIBRATION WHEN DRIVEN OVER 55 MPH. THERE IS ALSO LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL OVER 55 MPH, WHEN OVER 55 MPH AND YOU TRY TO GO AROUND A CURVE OR CORNER THE FRONT END FLOATS LIKE IT IS ON ICE AND THEN SUDDENLY GRABS ALLOWING YOU TO STEER THE VEHICLE. HAD THE FRONT TIRES CHECKED AND THEY ARE FINE. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE I BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW WITH ONLY 7 MILES ON IT IN 1999. THE PROBLEM HAS GOTTEN WORSE AND IS TO THE POINT THAT I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR. *JB

THE HIGH BEAMS ARE NOT AIMED CORRECTLY. WHEN YOU TURN THE HIGH BEAMS ON THEY SHINE TO THE LEFT INTO THE ONCOMING LANE OF TRAFFIC. WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING AND HAVE THEM ON THE RIGHT HALF OF THE LANE YOU ARE IN THE DARK BECAUSE THE AIM OF THE HIGH BEAMS ARE OFF. IT IS VERY HARD TO SEE IF ANYTHING OR ANYONE IS ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD, AND IT MAKES IT ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE THE LANE WHEN YOU GO AROUND A RIGHT CORNER OR CURVE. I HAVE TOLD THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THERE IS NO WAY TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM DUE TO HOW THE HEADLAMPS WERE DESIGNED AND INSTALLED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE 45MPH ANOTHER VEHICLE REAR ENDED THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED IN A COLLISION, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. ALSO THE DRIVER'S SEAT FELL BACKWARD DURING THE COLLISION. INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED; THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE DRIVEN HOME. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE MANUFACTURER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED , NO REPAIRS MADE.

THE DRIVER'S DOOR LATCH /FREEZES UP IN WINTER, AND THE DOOR CANNOT BE CLOSED. ONCE THE WEATHER WARMS UP, THE DOOR CLOSES.*AK

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSTANT REPAIR AND FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS STARTING TWO WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND CAN NOT BE KEPT MAINTAINED FOR SAFETY OR RELIABILITY IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 21000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND A MAJORITY OF REPAIRS HAS HAD TO BE FIXED. 4 STARTERS, IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS (IGNITION STILL DOESN'T WORK), AIR BAG SENSOR, AIR BAG WIRING (AIR BAGS STILL DOES NOT WORK), ALTERNATOR, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE AXEL BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, RIGHT PASSENGER BALL JOINT FELL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKE CYLINDER WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES, AND HAS LEFT ME AND MY CHILDREN STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE CAR IS STILL IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THE DRIVER REAR STABILIZER BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRIVE AXEL NEEDS REPLACED, THE AIR BAGS STILL DO NOT WORK, THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL GETS STUCK AND WON'T TURN OVER, AND TWO WEEKS AGO A PISTON WAS THROWN THROUGH THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY LEAVING ME STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND A CAR THAT IS NOT WORTH FIXING. *NM

1) AIR CONDITIONER HOSES DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT HOLD CHARGE 2) CAR RATTLES AND MAKES NOISE COMING FROM TRUNK AREA, TAKEN TO DEALER REPEATEDLY WITHOUT ANY IDEA OF HOW TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM 3) CAR WOULD LOOSE POWER WITHOUT WARNING AND AT DANGEROUS TIMES, TOOK TO DEALER 3 TIMES BEFORE THE CAR FAILED COMPLETELY AND THEY WERE FINALLY ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM 4) REAR DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW STICKS AND RATTLES, TAKEN TO DEALER UN-REPAIRABLE 5) REAR DOOR LOOK DOES NOT WORK, TAKEN TO DEALER REPAIRED BUT NOW IT DOESN'T WORK YET AGAIN 6) ENGINE LIGHT ON, TOLD BY DEALER THE GAS CAP WASN'T TIGHT ENOUGH 7) POWER LOCKS OPEN AND CLOSE AT INTERVALS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR 8) ENGINE LIGHT BLINKING, NO IDEA WHAT PROBLEM IS THIS TIME CONTACTED KIA AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO FIELD REPRESENTATIVE AND WAS TOLD THAT KIA COULD DO NOTHING TO ASSIST OWNER IN FIXING OWNER. THIS CAR IS A MONEY PIT AND DO NOT RECOMMEND TO ANYONE TO BUY A KIA UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. *JB

LIGHTS ARE BLINKING OFF AND ON CONSTANTLY WHEN I DRIVING AT NIGHT. I WENT TO KIA DEALERSHIP IN WILLIAMSBURG. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM. THAT IT WILL TAKE THEM A COUPLE OF DAYS. THAT I WOULD BE CHARGE BY THE HOUR. I WAS SO UPSET I LEFT THE DEALERSHIPS AND THEY CHARGE ME 350 DOLLARS AND MY CAR WAS NOT FIX. I WAS TOTALLY RIP OFF BY THEM. I ALSO TOLD THEM THAT SAME DAY TO FIX MY AIR CONDITIONER DUE TO IT WAS SHUTTING OFF AND ON WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES. WHEN I USING THE GAS PEDAL MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKS AND THEN WHEN I HIT THE BRAKES THAT AIR CONDITIONER SHUT OFF. THE KIA DEALER DID NOT HAVE CLUE WHAT TO DO>>>>HELP!!IT ALSO DOING THIS WITH THE HEAT ALSO.....I NOT SURE ON THE EXACT DATE OF SERVICE. I WILL FIND RECEIPT AND BANK STATEMENTS TO GO ALONG WITH THIS. *NM

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, APPROXIMATELY 70,00 MILES ON MY CAR, THE AC/HEATER FAN MOTOR WILL BLOW AIR INTERMITTENTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE FAN'S SPEED SETTING. EVENTUALLY, THE FAN STOPS BLOWING ALL TOGETHER. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA AS WELL. *JB

1999 KIA SEPHIA DASHBOARD HAS BECOME DETACHED FROM WHERE THE WINDSHIELD MEETS. *MR 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. *SC

(1)CLUTCH PEDAL WOULD STICK NEAR FLOOR, WOULD'NT RETURN TO NORMAL POSITION. (2)WITH CLUTCH PEDAL DEPRESSED TO FLOOR WHILE AT A LONG LIGHT, VEHICLE BEGINS TO CREEP FORWARD, NO FURTHER PEDAL TRAVEL TO DISENGAGE AVAILABLE. (3)NOTHING YET.

KIA SEPIA 1999 SOUND COMING FROM REAR BRAKES. *BF THREE OF THE FOUR BRAKE PADS HAD FALLEN OFF OF THE SHOES. THE PADS WERE IN EXCELLENT CONDITION BUT THE GLUE THAT HELD THEM TO THE SHOES HAD DISINTEGRATED. *NM

NHTSA CAMPAIGN 99V317000; KIA ISSUED AN ENGINE STALLING RECALL. THIS VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, BUT THE PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING EVEN AFTER REPAIR. THE FUEL PUMP WILL NOT RECEIVE ENOUGH CURRENT TO MAINTAIN THE VEHICLE ON. *NM

I AM UNABLE TO START MY CAR IN COLD WEATHER. ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THE CAR WILL CRANK AND NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED REPLACING THE BATTERY. THAT DID NOT WORK. THE CAR OTHERWISE STARTS IN WARMER WEATHER. THIS IS UNREASONABLE. I CAN'T BE STUCK IN THE WINTERTIME WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'VE HEARD THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND MAYBE PROCESS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *JB

THE DASHBOARD IS SEPARATING FROM THE WINDSHIELD, PREVENTING THE DEFROSTER FROM CIRCULATING TO THE WINDSHIELD. MANUFACTURER STATES THEY CAN NOT ASSIST THE CONSUMER.*AK *TC

I HAD A COLLISION AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.I HIT FULL ON THE FRONT END AT ABOUT 45 MPH. THE FRAME WAS BENT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE.*AK

THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD REPEATEDLY. BATTERY LEAKED. BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE ENTIRE CAR AT 60,000 MILES. THE VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAVE POPPED UP AND BROKEN. NOW THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE SEAMS ON THE SEAT COME UNDONE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER BROKE AND FLOPS IN THE DASH. THE SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS BROKEN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BROKE WHEN REPLACING THE STRUTS WHICH YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BACK DASH TO GET TO. THE BOARD THAT IS UNDER THE CARPET IN THE TRUNK WARPED. THE CARPETS CAME UP FROM THE SIDES OF THE CAR. THE STORAGE BIN IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE, TWICE. THE WIND SHIELD CHIPS AND ERRODES WHEN IN A CAR WASH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD IN THIS BAD SHAPE BEFORE. THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT STAY DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A BAD SEAL AND THERE IS WATER NOW IN THEM. THE RUBBER AROUND THE DOORS COMES OUT REPEATEDLY. GEAR SHIFTER IS CONTINUALLY STUCK. BRAKES TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO STOP MY CAR AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I HAVE TO DRIVE 2 & 1/2 HOURS TO GET REPAIRS. THE GAS MILAGE IS CLOSER TO 24 MPG THEN THE 35 THAT WAS MARKED ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THERE ARE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT ARE LOUD AND UNPLEASANT. THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE THAT IS BAD THEY WANT $75 AN HOUR MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS TO REPAIR IT. THE FUSE PANEL COVER BROKE. THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ALLIGNED. *AK

HAD TO GO TO HOSPITAL FOR SURGERY. CAR WOULDN'T MOVE THE BRAKES WERE LOCKED. COULDN'T GO FORWARD OR BACKWARDS. THE BACK WHEELS WOULD JUST SLIDE. THE BRAKES ARE STILL IN GOOD SHAPE HALF THE PAD IS LEFT AND WHEN WE GOT HOME FROM MY SURGERY HUSBAND WENT OUT TO CHECK THE PROBLEM AND HERE THE BRAKES JUST FELL APART IN PIECES. WE HAD TO BUY NEW BRAKES AND PUT THEM ON I CAN SEND THE OLD BRAKES IN THEY ARE THE ORIGINAL BRAKES THAT WHERE ON THE CAR WHEN WE BOUGHT IT. I FEAR THIS COULD HAPPEN WHILE SOMEONE IS DRIVING AND COULD CASE A BAD ACCIDENT.*AK

WHEN BELOW FREEZING, DOORS AND LOCKS CONSISTENTLY FREEZE, AND WILL NOT ALLOW ENTRY OR WILL NOT CLOSE PROPERLY (DOORS WILL NOT CLOSE). THIS HAS HAPPENED EVERY YEAR I HAVE OWNED THE CAR. THIS PAST YEAR, THE KIA DEALER TRIED TO FIX, AND ONLY IMPROVED FOR A FEW DAYS (LUBRICATE/OIL ETC). USUALLY HAD TO "WARM UP" CAR FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES TO DEFROST LOCK JUST TO BE ABLE TO CLOSE DOORS (I TRIED TO NOT LOCK CAR ONCE WINTER BEGINS). THE LOCKS ARE FROZEN DAILY AND CANNOT LOCK OR UNLOCK UNTIL INTERIOR IS WARMED UP. NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO WINTER AGAIN.*AK

WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THIS CAUSED DRIVER TO SUSTAIN MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL BY AMBULANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. *AK

WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND REFUSED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. *AK

WHILE IN THE STREET VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. FLOOR MANAGER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO. *AK

EMERGENCY BRAKE DOES NOT WORK WELL. *AK AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE SOMETIMES ROLLS WHEN THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ENGAGED. EMERGENCY CABLE WAS REPLACED BUT VEHICLE STILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME FAILURE. *LA

DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT SOUNDED AS IF IT WAS LOCKED/STUCK IN THE RETRACTOR WHEN IT REALLY WAS NOT. *AK THE PROBLEM WAS SIMILAR TO A RECALL ON 1998 KIA SEPHIA (RECALL NO. 02V-216), WHICH IS ALSO EXPERIENCED BY CONSUMER ON HIS 1999 KIA SEPHIA. *LA

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REBUILT. *PH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING. NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CONSUMER CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. THE STARTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. *NM

SUDDEN BRAKE FAILURE; LEAKAGE AROUND WINDOWS, TRUNK; GAS SPLASH BACK (FOUND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS, NEVER FIXED BY PREVIOUS OWNER); FEAR SHIFT BUTTON WON'T GO IN TO CHANGE FROM PARK TO DRIVE OR REVERSE; TRANSMISSION HESTITATES AT TIMES, THEN LUNGES; CAR OVERHEATS WHILE SITTING OR DRIVING AT SLOW SPEED (FAN WORKS AND RADIATOR FULL); SMELL COMES FROM AIR CONDITIONING WHEN STOPPED (IT REALLY STINKS, WORSE THAN A SKUNK); WHEN FILLING GAS TANK TO FULL, MARK NEVER REGISTERS FULL. I SPOKE TO KIA ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS AND THEY SAID I'D HAVE TO PAY TO HAVE THEM FIXED. I THINK THERE NEEDS TO BE RECALLS ON THESE PROBLEMS AS THE PEOPLE AT KIA ARE NOT VERY FRIENDLY NOR WILLING TO HELP OUT PEOPLE. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR USED AND THOUGHT SOME OF THE PROBLEMS STEMMED FROM THAT. HOWEVER, IN RESEARCHING THE BRAKE PAD ISSUE, I FOUND MANY OF THESE SAME PROBLEMS BEGAN EARLY IN THE MANUFACTURING OF THESE VEHICLES. UNFORTUNATELY, I AM NOT UNDER WARRANTY LIKE OTHERS SO HAVE NO RECOURSE BUT TO SELL THIS VEHICLE AS SOON AS I GET THE BRAKE PADS FIXED. I DO WISH THE NTHSA COULD DO SOMETHING TO HELP US OUT ON THESE PROBLEMS WHICH ARE NOT BEING FIXED BY KIA. THANKS - DON'T BUY A KIA SEPHIA 1999 MODEL. TOO MANY PROBLEMS.*AK

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.

THERE WAS AN ONGOING / INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STALLING WHILE TAKING OFF FROM A STOP POSITION OR WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH OR MORE. THE VEHICLE HESITATED BEFORE IT STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO CORRECT/ DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING THIS ISSUE. *JB

THE DEALER HAD REPLACED TWO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS IN THE LAST TWO YEARS. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS A LEASE AND HAD ONLY ONE YEAR REMAINING AND WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE NEEDED A TRANSMISSION AND BRAKES. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON, THE TRANSMISSION LINES LEAKED, AND WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WERE NOISY. *SCC *JB

WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN ANY POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN PLACED IN VEHICLE. *PH WHEN ACCELERATING, THE DRIVER NOTICED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GAIN ANY POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACE AGAIN FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS THE THIRD TRANSMISSION THAT HAS BEEN PLACED IN VEHICLE.*MR

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN A REAR END COLLISION. *JB

FUEL SPIT BACK FROM FILLER SPOUT: WHEN TRYING TO ADD FUEL, THE FUEL SPITS BACK OUT AT YOU. IT'S NOT JUST A LITTLE BIT, BUT ENOUGH TO SOAK YOUR CLOTHING, THE SIDE OF YOUR CAR, ETC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE THAT IS BEING SHUNTED BY KIA CORP. ON THIS VEHICLE, THE RECALLED VALVE WAS REPLACED, THEN REPLACED AGAIN . THIS DID NOT SOLVE THE SPIT BACK PROBLEM. I CALLED KIA DIRECTLY AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM COULD BE THAT I WOULD HAVE TO BRING IT TO A KIA DEALER. I TOLD THEM THAT WITH ALL THE COMPLAINTS THAT ARE ON THIS SITE AND MOST LIKELY, MANY OTHERS, THAT THEY MUST KNOW. THEY SAID NO, BRING IT TO A DEALER. THEY ALSO TOLD ME TO LET THEM KNOW WHEN IT WOULD BE THERE AND THEY WOULD CALL THE DEALER TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM. THIS WAS A MONETARY SET UP IN MY OPINION.... I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THEN THE DEALER CALLED ME AND TOLD ME THE CAR NEEDED A GAS TANK, I ASKED THEM WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE ORIGINAL ONE. THEY TOLD ME THAT IT WAS FUNNY THAT KIA CALLED THEM FIRST THING IN THE MORNING AND TOLD THEM THAT IT NEEDED A GAS TANK. THERE IS A VALVE THAT IS MOST LIKELY TO MALFUNCTION AND THAT THERE IS NO REPAIR OTHER THAN TO REPLACE IT. A BAD VALVE DOES MAKE SENSE AND ALSO THE WAY KIA INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE PROBLEM. THEY TOLD ME THEY DIDNT KNOW , YET THEY TOLD THE DEALER THE FIX , AND ALSO, I GOT CHARGED $ 95.00 FOR 1 HOUR LABOR. THEY DID NOTHING TO THE CAR, JUST ANSWERED THE PHONE. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE ADDRESSED MORE AGGRESSIVELY CAUSE WITH THE

CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE HYDROPLANED AND THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TELEPHONE POLE HEAD ON. UPON IMPACT, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK *JB

I HAVE A 1999 KIA SEPHIA THAT WAS PURCHASED USED. AFTER CALLING THE KIA CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER I WAS INFORMED ON THE RECALL CONCERNING THE FUEL TANK . MY PERSONAL PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANK WAS THE "SPITTING OUT" OF FUEL WHEN ATTEMPTING TO FILL UP THE GAS TANK. I TOOK THE CAR IN TO THE COLUMBUS, GA KIA AUTOSPORT WHERE THEY FIXED THE RECALL ISSUE AND STATED THAT I SHOULD NO LONGER HAVE THE ISSUE WITH GAS RUNNING OUT WHEN TRYING TO FILL THE TANK. AFTER THE RECALL WAS FIXED, I WENT TO PUT GAS IN MY CAR AND THE ISSUE STILL EXISTED. AFTER TAKING THE CAR BACK I WAS TOLD THAT THE ISSUE HAD BEEN REPAIRED TWICE AND THE MANUFACTUERER WOULD NOT ALLOW THEM TO REPAIR AGAIN. I WAS ALSO TOLD DIFFERENT THINGS TO DO WHEN PUMPING FUEL IN ORDER TO KEEP THE PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING. THE ISSUE STILL EXISTS. THE PAINT BELOW AND AROUND THE AREA IN WHICH YOU DISPENSE FUEL IS BEGINING TO FADE AWAY DUE TO GAS RUNNING DOWN THE SIDE OF THE CAR WHEN FILLING THE TANK. THERE WAS ALSO AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE CAR SMOKING. THE SERVICE CENTER SAID THAT IT WAS THE SHORT BLOCK OF THE ENGINE AND REPLACED THAT, BUT THE CAR CONTINUES TO SMOKE. AFTER READING MORE ON THE RECALL I AM CURIOUS AS TO WHETHER ENGINE PROBLEMS CAN BE A AFFECT OF THE FUEL RECALL ISSUE NOT BEING PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF. THE SERVICE CENTER NEVER CHECKED TO SEE IF THERE WERE ANOTHER ISSUE AS TO WHY THE FUEL CONTINUES TO RUN OR "SPIT" OT WHEN FILLING THE TANK. THE DATE PLACED IN "INCIDENT DATE" IS APPROXIMATE, BUT THE ISSUE IS ONGOING.*AK

CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH SEAT BELT BUCKLE RELEASED FROM LATCH PLATE. SUBSEQUENTLY THE BUCKLE HIT THE DRIVER SHOULD AND HIT HER IN THE HEAD. THE STRAP BRUISED HER SHOULDER. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THAT THE BRAKE DID NOT WORK PROPERLY. *AK *SLC *PH *NLM*EA04007*