2001 Kia Sephia complaints

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

MASTER CYLINDER, WENT OUT THE SECOND TIME. I HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERS SHOP ON DECEMBER 31, 2002. MY MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT AT 13157 MILES, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT AGAIN AT 14252 MILES (3/1/03). THE CAR WILL BE 2 YEARS OLD IN APRIL. I AM VERY SCARED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR THIS TIME, I AM LOOKING INTO PURCHASING A NEW CAR. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE.*JB

VECHICAL AT IDLE WENT INTO HIGH RPM AND LOSS OF BRAKES AND LASTED ABOUT 30 TO 45 SECONDS

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

THE FLEXLINE SUPPLYING THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST A RETAINER RING AND CAUSED ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE PEDAL. TS SCC

THE VEHICLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT THEIR FOOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL ALSO, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET PAVEMENT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR END WOULD WONDER CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

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

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

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

NO SUMMARY. DT

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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!

VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH STARTING, HAS TO CRANK IT FOUR OR MORE TIMES BEFORE VEHICLE WOULD START. VEHICLE BEEN TO DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS, AND HE WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFROMATION.*AK

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING CONSTANTLY THE SHIFT LOCKS AND 3-35 MINUTES VEHICLE WILL BE OUT OF POWER. *YD

WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY THERE WAS A BAD SMELL COMING FROM EXHAUST SYSTEM INTO VEHICLE. VEHICLE WILL SHUTDOWN WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING.*AK

WIRES SHORTED BY SEATBELT MOUNT UNDER LEFT FRONT SEAT AREA, CAUSING TURN SIGNAL FAILURE. *AK

LEFT REAR TURNING LIGHT EMITTING WHITE LIGHT ON A KIA SEPHIA SEEN IN TRAFFIC. THE CLEAR LENS AND A WHITE LIGHT BULB ARE THE CULPRITS. THIS ILLEGAL WHITE LIGHT IS FROM WHITE LIGHT BULBS MISTAKENLY USED VICE AMBER BULBS. THE ONLY WHITE LIGHT TO SHINE BEHIND A CAR IS BACK-UP LIGHTS. I DON'T KNOW IF THE OWNER OF THAT CAR REPLACED THE BULBS HIMSELF WITH THE WRONG BULBS OR IF ALL KIA'S ARE BEING PRODUCED THAT WAY. STRONGLY SUGGEST REPLACING ALL CLEAR TURN SIGNAL LENSES WITH AMBER ONES. YES, A RECALL. THAT WILL STOP ILLEGAL WHITE LIGHT FROM SHINING IN OTHER DRIVERS EYES ESPECIALLY AT NIGHTTIME. THANK YOU FOR A PROMPT RESPONSE. *AK

CONSUMERS VEHICLE WAS HIT ON THE LEFT FRONT BY ANOTHER MOTORIST THAT WAS TRAVELING BETWEEN 45 AND 50 MPH, NEITHER THE DRIVER OR PASSENGER AIR BAG EXPERIENCED DEPLOYMENT, CAUSING INJURIES TO BOTH PEOPLE. *SLC

VEHICLE AT 55 MPH DECELERATED TO 30 MPH FOR ABOUT 15 SECONDS, AND THEN SPED UP TO OVER 55 MPH BEFORE STALLING OUT. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOUR TIMES ALREADY, AND THERE HAVE BEEN PARTS REPLACED,BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURS.*AK

WHEN VEHICLE IS IN REVERSE THERE IS A CLUNKING AND RUMBLING SOUND. WHEN VEHICLE IS STOPPING OR STANDING STILL IT MAKES A LOUD WHISTLING NOISE. WHEN ENTERING HIGHWAY VEHICLE WILL NOT ACCELERATE OVER 50 MPH, GAS PEDAL HAS TO BE PUSHED TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. *AK

CONSUMER COMPLAINED THAT REAR SEAT BELTS WERE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND ANOTHER SET WAS INSTALLED IN THE BACK. CURRENTLY, THEY SEEM TO BE TOO SMALL FOR AN AVERAGE ADULT. WHEN PUTTNG THEM ON THEY AUTOMATICALLY LOCK INTO THE SEAT. *AK DEALER REPLACED REAR SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. RIGHT FRONT WINDOW IS BLURRY. DEALER REPLACED DEFORMED FRONT DOOR GLASS. REAR DEFROSTER INOPERATIVE. DEALER FOUND REAR DEFROST GRID BROKEN. LEFT SIDE MIRROR VIBRATES. SIDE MIRROR ASSEMBLY REPLACED. *TT

VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH A COMPUTER CHIP WHICH CAUSES VEHICLE NOT TO RUN. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

AFTER THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED INSURANCE FAILED TO NOTICE THE STEERING WHEEL HAD BEEN CRACKED, I HAVE HAD THE CAR AT A BODY SHOP AND THERE IS SOME TYPE OF CONFUSION WITH GETTING A NEW STEERING WHEEL FROM KIA. WE ARE NOT CERTAIN OF THE EXACT ESTIMATE TO THIS DAY, NOR DO WE KNOW WHEN WE WILL BE GETTING OUR CAR REPAIRED. BECAUSE OF THE AIRBAGS FAILURE TO DEPLOY INJURIES DID OCCUR WHICH MAY HAVE BEEN PREVENTED HAD THEY DEPLOYED . THE CRASH WAS AT 35 MPH AND WAS A DIRECT FRONTAL IMPACT. WE CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND AT THEIR REQUEST HAVE GIVEN POLICE REPORT AND INJURY REPORTS. THE PERSON WE ARE DEALING WITH IS AMY JONES . TODAY WE CALLED HER AND SHE SAID THE SITUATION WAS NOT LIFE THREATENING THUS THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE BELIEVE THAT THEY SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. FUTHERMORE IT APPEARS THAT THE FAILURE IS CONSIDERED NORMAL BY KIA ACCORDING TO OUR CONVERSATION THUS FAR. THE REPRESENATIVE ALSO CLAIMS THAT THEY DID NOT HAVE A CHANCE TO LOOK AT THE CAR BECAUSE WE DID NOT REPORT IT IN TIME. WELL THE CAR IS STILL SITTING IN THE SHOP OVER TWO MONTHS LATER IN GOD KNOWS WHAT CONDITION AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT WENT OUT TO SEE IT. SO IT APPEARS TO US WE HAVE NO CHOICE ACCEPT TO TAKE MEASURES TO PREVENT THIS FROM HAPPENING TO SOMEONE ELSE OR US AGAIN. WE ARE WRITING AND REQUESTING A FULL INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.? WHY THE SHOP IS NOT RECIEVING A STEERING WHEEL FROM KIA? PERSONALLY WE DO NOT THINK THE CAR IS SAFE AND REQUEST A INSPECTION AND INVESTIGATION AS TO WHY ALL

WHEN FILLING UP GAS TANK TO FULL AND DRIVING 140 MILES GAS GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY. ALSO, ENGINE LIGHT IS CONSTANLY COMING ON BECAUSE OF A 02 SENSOR FAILURE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

BOTH REAR SEATBELT RETRACTORS KEEP TIGHTENING WHEN USED. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, DEALER STATED SEATBELTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY.*AK

WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS TRAVELING, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED POWER SURGE AND THE ENGINE SHIFTED INTO LOWER GEAR DECREASING THE SPEED AND STALLING THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE ALSO STALLS AT IDLE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BY THE DEALER THREE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, HOWEVER CAN NOT REMEDY THE PROBLEM. *YH

WHEN PRESSING ON GAS MOTOR ROSE ABOVE FRAME. DRIVER NOTICED WHEN HOOD WAS RAISED AND GAS PRESSED. DRIVER FELT CAUSE WAS DEFECTED MOTOR MOUNTS. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER BECAUSE THE TRANSAXLE JUMPED OUT OF PLACE AND CAUSED VEHICLE TO CRASH. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, HAVE TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 6 TIMES FOR PROBLEM. MECHANIC CAN NOT RESOLVE STALLING.*AK CONSUMER STATED THE ENGINE LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING AND THEN STALL.*SLC

WHEN STARTING VEHICLE AIR CONDITIONER FAN WILL MAKE A VERY LOUD NOISE. NOISE CONTINUES UNTIL VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF AND RESTARTED. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CANNOT FIND THE CAUSE. *AK

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 INDIVIDU

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

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 [email protected] IF YOU HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.*AK

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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