10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,571 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2000 Kia Sephia:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #7

Oct 012000

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 18,000 miles
I have <45000 miles on my car (2000 Kia Sephia) and have had to have the front brakes replaced 3X and the back brakes replaced 1X. Also, when I turn on the ac, there is a loud noise from the front of the car. The car hesitates when trying to get up to speed. The car also feels like it is trying to pull something of great weight when driving at 55 mph. The back seatbelts do not always lock. The dealer informed me that the seat belts are only to lock when the brakes are slammed or the vehicle is hit (so how is a child booster seat supposed to stay put when the vehicle is in motion?)

- Cockeysville, MD, USA

problem #6

May 092003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Nothing but problems since purchase. Windshield separated from frame, molding fell off 4 times during first 4 months of purchase alternator replaced twice. Battery replaced after only having vehicle 2 months. Air condition (A/C) fuse blew twice fan fuse blew once causing vehicle to overheat. Back doors stick shut. Back doors hinges rusted and bent causing squeaking and not completely to shut. Trans shifts hard and sometimes sticks. Engine light and overdrive light blinked trans was shifted by itself. Had trans flushed seems to be ok. Car shakes at high speeds. Tape player makes funny noises if used for long time.gas mileage has been poor since car was purchased. Molding turned white. Car has had fuel filter replaced twice. Fuel sensor in tank replaced three times.

- Romeoville, IL, USA

problem #5

Jul 082002

Sephia 4-cyl

  • miles
Air bags did not deploy, brake failure. The consumer was in an accident due to brake failure and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. The A/C had to be replaced after the first use, and the gas light stayed on. (turi miller can be reach as well at: D-715 726 8887 or H-715 833 6309 and via email-turijo@yahoo.com)

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #4

Aug 292000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The A/C belts were noisy, also the passenger side vent has low air flow.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #3

Aug 292000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The A/C belts were noisy, also the passenger side vent has low air flow.

- Port Charlotte, FL, USA

problem #2

Jul 062000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer smells a burning odor coming from the vents when the A/C is on. Nlm

- Monrovia, MD, USA

problem #1

Apr 132000

Sephia

  • miles
Incident #1> husband drove V1 to jacksonville Florida, about 21 days after an oil change. I went out the next morning, started car pulled from yard/ engine check light came on, backed into yard, checked oil noted none in V1( dealer states otherwise) Kia road side assistance was called on that Sunday evening, 11/28/1999/ V1 via tow taken to gatorland Toyota. We where not given a rental until 12/01/99> canister buffer/ value pump replaced, V1 still makes pings, knocks when accel/>12/21/1999> engine light came on while driving> 12/20/1999, engine light came N again, gatorland service tech advised safe to drive( we took car in next day) they would not assist with a rental, same problem with valves, ( purge flow replace) val- sol used> rattles still / techs stated unable to find source. Brake pedal depress when coimg into drive, all the way dwn unable to stop in timely manor, barrier in front driveway.V1 pads replaced/ tech stated rotors resurfed, brakes still low, problem with brakes started when a V2 came thru and intersection I had to slam my brakes and from that time brakes went dwn hill.( still rattles) > V1 traveling aprox 75 mph on I-75, heard a thumping on roof of V1, pulled over / saw rubber molding hanging from top/drivers side, then it slid dwn glass, tried to secure back on/ flew off again, shop advised on that same evening, they advised./ not helpful at all> I was leaving for my vacation when this incident occured and have to alter my plans once again for this stupid car. Gatorland after having my car all day called to say they would have to order the part, and I would have to take it in and leave it allllllllll day, once again, inconvience to me.

- Gainesville, FL, USA