10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
12,700 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #10

May 192006

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 127,000 miles
My wife was driving our 1998 Kia Sephia and the engine began to stall. She pulled into a parking lot and the engine caught on fire. My wife ran away form the vehicle. The whole front of the car was burned up.

- Abilene, TX, USA

problem #9

Jun 272003

(reported on)

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle engine caught on fire. When the consumer attempted to come to stop the vehicle, the brake pedal went to the floor and the brakes failed. Consumer had to drive on the lawn in order to get the vehicle to stop. And then the engine caught on fire.

- Cleveland, OH, USA

problem #8

Oct 282002

Sephia 4-cyl

  • miles
The engine/throttle fails causing the consumer to press down on the accelerator with extreme force to get the vehicle running.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #7

Oct 012002

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer states having a problem w/ith "cable" that goes from gas tank to engine. Consumer advises that cable is attached to a wiring harness that gets very hot and is showing signs of melting. As a result, vehicle stalls w/O warning and wirings have to be adjusted before vehicle is able to restart.

- Marysville, OH, USA

problem #6

Dec 312000

Sephia

  • miles
Check engine light on & O/D light flashes after almost every 300 miles since recall campaign to replace orvr valves was serviced by dealer. O/D light flashes would then follow engine stalling (after driven 150 miles) and would only crank engine but wont start. Also after orvr was replaced, every full tank of fuel ( 12.7 gals.) would cause hesitation but would go away after driven for 8 miles. Engine stalling luckily occurred only on street roads but could pose serious risk if it would happen on freeways.

- Chatsworth, CA, USA

problem #5

Aug 251998

Sephia

  • miles
Signal lights fail to work properly when in use during cold weather for 15 minutes or so. Sometimes this happens when it's raining. The dealer replaced the hazard switch and there have not been any failures since. Seat belts have been replaced 3 times. Brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times. Windshield wipers failed prior to recall. Head gasket replaced at 3500 miles. Molding on the doors fell off and was replaced. Tailpipe was replaced due to excessive exhaust fumes.

- Pittsfield, MA, USA

problem #4

Sep 072000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While driving at approximately 40mph, vehicle stopped suddenly in the middle of traffic. Had no prior warning. Vehicle towed to dealer. Mechanic could not locate cause of problem.

- Lasollett, TN, USA

problem #3

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 #2

Mar 082000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Car needs front axles. Also, motor mounts were replaced along with flywheel and fuel pump. In addition, consumer just received a recall notice 99V271/ winshield wiper linkage. Car is 1 year old and has 26000 miles, owner has already experienced many problems with it.

- Newbriaton, PA, USA

problem #1

Jan 102000

Sephia

  • miles
Received recall 99V318000. Contacted dealer for appointment. Took to dealer on the appointed day. Informed by service manager no parts were available for engine stalling. Claimed parts would be available in 1 1/2 months.

- Palm Harbor, FL, USA