10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 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 accessories - interior problems

accessories - interior problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #18

Jan 042002

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

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 #17

Jan 272000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
A/C and defrost do not work correctly. Nlm

- Erlanger, KY, USA

problem #16

Aug 102000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Air conditioner failed twice.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #15

Sep 242000

Sephia

  • miles

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

Brakes, lights, seats, battery, airbags, odometer, leaks, aircondition, leftdoorhandle (tiresize: 14`)( dot number: Tire size: 14` )

- Colfax, LA, USA

problem #14

Sep 071999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Air conditioner failure making noises.

- Perry, UT, USA

problem #13

Apr 211999

Sephia

  • miles
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. Air condition failed.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #12

Aug 261998

Sephia

  • miles

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

Air conditioner leaking due to faulty evaporator and vacuum hose.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #11

Feb 051999

Sephia

  • miles
A/C vents broken.

- Palmetto, FL, USA

problem #10

Dec 011998

Sephia

  • miles
Since the time that I have purchased this car it has been falling apart. The car is constantly shutting down or it just won't start. At this present time my car is sittting at stonemountain Kia whereas it is in need a third battery all within less than a years time. Eventhough they know the dangerous history of this car that I purchased new, they continually return the car to me without doing a safety check. I have had my car towed to their location several times in the same week because they have felled to fix the problem. Once again my car is continually suffering from the same problems that are continuing to grow worst. The air conditioning system fails to work properly. The driveshaft is always sticking in the gears. The air bag light continually blink and stay on for periods at a time. The exhaust still making loud noise that I have complained about since I brought the car. The engine jerks and the car is burning a lot of gas. The battery acid continues to leak out into the car. The air vents broke just from a slight touch and so did the knob that control the air circulation. The car is constantly stalling. The car shakes badly when pressing on the brakes. Firestone refuses to work on Kia's because they are aware of all the faulty system pertaining to Kia's. lation

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #9

Aug 181998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
A/C not cooling vehicle properly. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #8

Jul 091999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Air contioner not cooling vehicle properly. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #7

Oct 161998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Air contitioner not cooling vehicle. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #6

Aug 171998

Sephia

  • miles
Air conditioner has experienced problems, several repairs/replacements however continues to fail. Mjs

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #5

Aug 171998

Sephia

  • miles
Air conditioner has experienced problems, several repairs/replacements however continues to fail. Mjs

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #4

Aug 171998

Sephia

  • miles
Air conditioner has experienced problems, several repairs/replacements however continues to fail. Mjs

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #3

Apr 091999

Sephia

  • miles
Since purchase date I have had numerous problems such as vehicle stalling in middle of highway, engine light staying on, radio, air conditioner and most importantly the brakes. The original brakes failed at 5560 miles, replacemts at 7520 miles, again at 10750 miles. This is a major inconvenience and I am afraid an accident will occur.

- North Haledon, NJ, USA

problem #2

Apr 091999

Sephia

  • miles
Since purchase date I have had numerous problems such as vehicle stalling in middle of highway, engine light staying on, radio, air conditioner and most importantly the brakes. The original brakes failed at 5560 miles, replacemts at 7520 miles, again at 10750 miles. This is a major inconvenience and I am afraid an accident will occur.

- North Haledon, NJ, USA

problem #1

Apr 151999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
We have replaced the rotors and brake pads 4 times and the drums once. The car has difficulty starting and taking off. Various problems concerning minor problems, seat cushion, lighter, A/C, gas spewing back out of tank etc. Our major concern is the braking system which started six weeks after purchase and hasn't ended yet. The Kia representative is uncooperative.

- Cordell, OK, USA

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