10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
3,000 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

1998 Kia Sephia electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #20

Oct 252006

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

- the contact stated that when trying to merge into traffic with the 1998 Kia sophia it stalled. When this happened instrument panel lights turned on. The vehicle stalled in heavy traffic, and she had to put the vehicle in park and restart it. The contact stated that the vehicle's current mileage was 70,000 miles. The dealership informed her that she needed a new vehicle. The contact stated that the dealership found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle stalled intermittently. At times when the vehicle stalled, and she tries to restart it, the vehicle would not restart.

- Oakmont, PA, USA

problem #19

Jun 012004

Sephia 4-cyl

  • miles
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 thing has happened with my 1999 Kia Sephia.

- Chandler, AZ, USA

problem #18

Jun 042005

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle engine stalls. Kia 1998 had been recalled. Problem was supposed to be fixed, however, vehicle continues to have problem.

- Redoak, VA, USA

problem #17

Sep 202002

Sephia 4-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. It caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to report. However, vehicle was totaled. The consumer stated that there was a hard start that would not hold fuel pressure.

- Tallahassee, FL, USA

problem #16

Feb 032003

(reported on)

Sephia 4-cyl

  • miles
There was a short present in the wiring to the dome light, radio and clock. The door switchs also burned out.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #15

Jun 291999

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer states that shortage in the wiring that burns the fuse, causing the radio, the dome light, door ajar light and other components not to work. Had fuse replace 5-6times. Promblem still accurs.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #14

Aug 202001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The electrical wires have burned up on the car, currently the blower wire harness and speed select switch have melted and burned.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #13

Jan 042002

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While driving approximately 65 mph, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred. Brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #12

Aug 202001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
The electrical wires have burned up on the car, currently the blower wire harness and speed select switch have melted and burned.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #11

May 281999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The check engine light has illuminated on several occasions, ccv/psv valve failed, ignition coil shorted, poor connection on grounds and connectors, the battery is weak and will not hold a charge, dealer replaced battery twice. Nlm

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #10

Jan 052001

Sephia

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Consumer had been having problem with electrical system; headlights will go out whithout prior warning, and sometime had to be replaced. Dealer had been contacted.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #9

Aug 302000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. Dealer has repaired and replaced the brakes several times. In addition heater core, alternator, starter, spark plugs, front windshield and door weather strips failed.

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #8

Apr 012000

Sephia

  • miles
Electrical system failed. Nlm

- Branson, MO, USA

problem #7

Feb 251999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical system experienced several failures (battery, starter and connectors).

- Manalapan, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jun 161998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiencing electrical problems. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #5

Feb 181998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Electrical problem causing brake and dash lights to be inoperative. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #4

Oct 161998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiencing electrical problems. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #3

Feb 181999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiencing electrical problems. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #2

Aug 041999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experiencing electrical problems. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #1

Aug 011998

Sephia

  • miles
This vehicle was purchased in June of 1998, it has been out of service for more than 40 days for repairs for various electrical, braking, transmission, and various other defects that have rendered the car inoperable since February, 1999.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

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