10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #10

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 #9

Aug 092001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer states the transmission failed.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #8

Jul 032001

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership, and was informed that a new transmission was needed, however three days lated consumer began experiencing problems again.

- Union City, GA, USA

problem #7

Jun 212001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

Since purchasing vehicle consumer has had nothing but problems, vehicle has been in and out of repair shop 10-12 times, consumer took vehicle back to repair shop and was told that a new transmission was needed.

- Bronx, NY, USA

problem #6

Aug 102000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Vehicle is slipping out of gear while driving.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #5

Feb 011999

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Engine check light came on and stayed on. Also, transmission stick shift kept sticking, and engine head gasket blew out. Dealership replaced engine head gasket and stick shift.

- Worcester, MA, USA

problem #4

Jan 072000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

Transmission fluid leaking resulting in transmission problems. Nlm

- Monroe, NY, USA

problem #3

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

problem #2

Jul 071998

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle stalls and loses power from 50 mph to 40 mph. Dealers are not able to duplicate problem. Also vehicle has many other defects. Consumer states while traveling 45-55 mph, vehicle will decrease in speed approximately by 3-15 mph, this happens almost on a daily basis. Difficulty shifting into reverse and 5th gear, with vehicle in reverse and on an incline, vehicle will stall while attempting to back up.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA

problem #1

Jul 151998

Sephia

  • miles
Many problems with the car some have been caused by the dealer

- Glen Oaks, NY, USA

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