2001 Kia Sephia

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

I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT METAL DEATHTRAP AGAIN. THIS IS MY FIRST AND ABSOLUTELY THE LAST KIA I WILL EVER BUY. *TR

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

I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK-UP PLAN IN THE MANUAL, WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT TO BEGAN WITH? IT WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO DO THIS? I THINK IT IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE MY GEAR SHIFT CABLE. LIKE I SAID, IT IS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO USE A SCREW DRIVER IF THE GEAR SHIFT FAILS. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE FUEL DAMPENER AT THE CONNECTION WITH THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A COFFEE SHOP I PARKED MY CAR THERE BUT I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR, LUCKY ME I CAN OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND I GOT OUT FROM THERE. AFTER I LEFT THE COFFEE SHOP I HAD TO GET IN FROM THE SAME DOOR WHEN I GOT OUT, WHEN I GOT HOME I CAN OPEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR LOCKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER I LEFT IT FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT -6 DEGREE, I WENT ONLINE CHECKED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME TYPE OF CAR THAT I HAD , I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PRESSURED TO KIA LET THEM RECALL ALL OF THE MODEL WHICH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TO CORRECT IT! *TR

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

DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR

ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND SWELLING IN HER BRAIN, ALONG WITH MANY MANY OTHER INJURIES THAT SHE DID NOT SURVIVE THE CRASH. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! ! ! HOW MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CAR NEED TO BE HIT BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY! SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT. IF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE, SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE WITH ME TODAY. SHE WAS ONLY 21 YEARS OLD AND HAD EVERYTHING TO LIVE FOR. THIS *#>*^$ CAR KILLED MY ONLY DAUGHTER! ! ! HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE KIA GETS THE MESSAGE AND DOES SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT. THESE CARS DO NOT NEED TO BE IN THE U.S.A. KIA HAS BEEN GETTING REPORTS SINCE 2001 THAT THE AIRBAGS ON THIS CAR FAIL TO DEPLOY. THEY ARE GUILTY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE! ! HELP! *TR

IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WENT DOWN. IF I PUSHED DOWN, IT WENT UP.) SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $580.00 TO REPLACE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MASTER MECHANIC INSTRUCTOR THAT WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS CHANGED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FROM METAL TO PLASTIC PARTS, THAT THEY DON'T LAST ANYMORE. BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE $580.00 TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE A THICK PIECE OF PAPER WEDGED IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP. IN MAR 08, THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING THEN IN AUG 08, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW IS THE ONLY WINDOW THAT OPENS AND CLOSES. DRIVING AROUND TOWN, I SEE MANY VEHICLES WITH TAPE OR PIECES OF PAPER STUCK IN THEIR WINDOWS, SO I KNOW MINE ISN'T THE ONLY VEHICLE DOING THIS. BOTH OF MY SONS VEHICLES HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. I DRIVE A POLICE VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. WHEN OUR VEHICLES' WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK, (WHICH IS OFTEN), THE CITY SHO

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS COLLECTING INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

IN AUGUST OF 2006 I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES. COMING TO FIND OUT MY BRAKES WERE BAD, I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND MY WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT. CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS. HAD THE CAR FIXED.. TOOK THEM 6 HOURS TO BLEED THE BRAKES. TOOK THE CAR HOME, THE NEXT MORNING WENT TO LEAVE AND HAD NO BRAKES AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO SHOP. HAD TO BLEED BRAKES AGAIN, THEN IN DECEMBER I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES. GOT THE CAR TO THE SAME SHOP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. COMING TO FIND OUT THE WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT AGAIN CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK ALL OVER MY BRAKES. THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKES . THEY WANTE TO CHARGE ME LABOR SINCE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. I REFUSED TO PAY THE LABOR. WE TOLD THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE CAR UNTIL WE CALLED THEM BACK. (I THINK THEY KNEW I WAS CALLING SOMEONE ELSE) THEY CALLED ME BACK NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER AND THEY OFFERED TO EAT THE COST OF THE LABOR. SO IT WAS FIXED FOR NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY IT STILL ACTS UP. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SINCE I READ MORE OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *JB

WHEN STARTING THE CAR MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (LEVEL WITH THE CLUTCH) BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIO AND FOUND MELTED WIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC. *AK

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

DT: DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE, AND NOW THE OTHER SIDE WAS LOOSE. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THEN ANOTHER DAY THE CAR DIED GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, AND THEN I GOT IT STARTED BACK UP ,AND WAS GOING HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. WHEN I GOT IT RUNNING AGAIN I TOOK IT HOME, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I BOUGHT IT AT A USED CAR DEALER AND IT ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOT QUITE 93,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS 3 TIMES.THE DYA IT QUIT RUNNING TWICE WITH ME IS DEC. 21 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. SO I JUST PARKED IT IN MY BACKYARD.*AK

AT COLD TEMPERATURES DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TROUBLE OPENING AND CLOSING. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. *AK

MY THEN 10 YEAR OLD SON GOT STUCK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. TO GET HIMSELF OUT HE ALONE PUSHED HIS HIPS FORWARD. THIS BROKE THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. AS OF LATE OUR FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. TODAY, AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, I REACHED OUT MY WINDOW AND MY SEAT BELT DISENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFUL TO BE SURE THAT I AM PROPERLY BUCKLED BY SECURELY LATCHING AND THEN PULLING FIRMLY ON THE BELT AS WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID THAT THIS TIME BUT IT STILL CAME UNLATCHED AFTER I WAS SURE I WAS SAFE. *NM

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

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

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.

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

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

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

MY CAR HAS 30,000 MILES ON IT AND THE TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED 2 TIMES. I HAVE NEVER BEEN GIVEN A LOANER TO USE WHILE MY CAR WAS IN THE SHOP. THIS IS VERY INCONVENIENT WHEN YOU WORK.*AK

TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CONSUMER STATED TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FIVE TIMES. *AK CONSUMER JUST HAD A SIXTH REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION. *LA

I WAS IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE BELOW DATE AT 730PM.THERE WAS MYSELF AND MY DAUGHTER IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA AND WE HIT A TREE AFTER LOSING CONTROL ON ICY ROAD.THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS BUT YET NEITHER AIRBAG WAS DEPLOYED.*AK I FEEL THAT YOU AND OTHER CONSUMERS SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THERE MIGHT BE A DEFECT IN THE AIRBAGS, CONSIDERING THE VECHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS AND PER THE OWNERS MANUAL THERE WAS NO SPEED LIMIT IN WHICH THEY WOULD DEPLOY.I HAVE PICTURES SHOWING THE TOTAL DESTRUCTION OF THE VECHICLE AND THE PROOF THAT THE AIRBAGS WERE NEVER DEPLOYED.AGAIN I JUST THINK CONSIDERING THERE COMMERICALS PRIDE THEMSELVES ON THE SAFETY OF THERE VECHICLES THIS IS VERY DISTURBING AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR TIME IN THIS MATTER SO THAT HOPEFULLY NO ONE ELSE WILL BE INJURED.I WOULD APPRECIATE A RESPONSE FROM THE NHTSA IF POSSIBLE

CONSUMER STATED THAT HEADLIGHTS CHANGED FROM BRIGHT TO DIM CONSTANTLY. FIRST THEY WERE BRIGHT, THEN THEY GRADUALLY BECAME DIM. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO SEVERAL MECHANICS AND WAS TOLD BY THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THIS WAS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THE HEADLIGHTS NEVER STOPPED WORKING, THEY JUST DIMMED ENOUGH THAT IT WAS HARD TO VIEW IN FRONT WHILE DRIVING. *AK THERE WAS TROUBLE WITH THE KEYLESS ENTRY. THE VEHICLE LOCKED UP WOULD NOT UNLOCK. WHILE DRIVING, THE PROBLEM SEEMED WORSE AT A MODERATE STEADY SPEED. *SC *JB

I WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT AT 30 MPH, THE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY AND I WAS INJURED.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

ENGINE AND LOTS OF OTHERS. *NLM

WHILE GOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE HIT THE DIVIDER FROM THE FRONT ENDING UP ON ITS SIDE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE AIR BAGS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED TO DEPLOY SOMETIMES CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. A COMPLAINT WILL BE FILED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. *NLM

-I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS 4 DOOR. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT.THE INSTRUCTION SIMPLY STATED "TO SHIFT FROM PARK PRESS BRAKE PEDAL". THE BUTTON ,LOCATED IN THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE,THAT HAS TO BE PRESSED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASED, EVERYDAY WHEN PUTTING GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE I HAD TO WAIT 30 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE THE KNOB CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY IN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNTIL TODAY (1 JUNE 03). THE BUTTON WAS COMPLETELY PARALIZED. MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE NEAREST KIA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THEY ARE CLOSED ON SUNDAYS. TOMORROW (MONDAY) I WILL REPORT THE PROBLEM TO KIA. I THINK ALL 2001 KIA SEPHIA WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION MUST BE RECALLED FOR THE MALFUNCTIONING THAT MY CAR HAD. *AK

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH THEN THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM

THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD. *NLM

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THREE (3) LUG NUTS HAVE MYSTERIOUSLY BROKEN ON THE VEHICLE, TWO (2) ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND ONE (1) ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WILSON POWELL DARCAR DEALER IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND, WHERE NEW LUGS WERE INSTALLED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE NEW LUG THAT WAS INSTALLED BROKE. *JB