10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
16 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
17 / 0
Average Mileage:
13,722 miles

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problem #18

Aug 162008

Sephia

  • 148,000 miles
Hit a light pole/air bags did not inflate.

- Independence, MO, USA

problem #17

Aug 162005

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 58,000 miles
Purchased vehicle approximately 10 days before accident and noticed immediately that the brakes were "mushy" and stopping distance seemed unusual. Individual selling vehicle (not dealer) stated that this was normal for the vehicle. It was hard for me to be certain sinced my previous vehicle is known for very touchy brakes and I thought it might just be an adjustment period. However, I am a careful and patient driver and in 20 years of driving have had only 4 speeding tickets and zero accidents until I drove this car. After approximately 9-10 days the check engine light came on. I was traveling at approx. 15 mph in heavy traffic with about one car length between myself and the pickup in front of me. The pickup driver slammed her brakes and I slammed mine only to have them go all the way to the floor and provide no resistance. I hit the pickup hard enough to severely bruise my arm on the steering wheel and cause several days of back and neck pain. Some of this might have also been avoided if the airbags had deployed, but even though this crash was a full frontal accident they did not. After I left the vehicle, another small car hit the back of my vehicle and severely damaged the rear of my vehicle and the front of hers. Her airbags deployed immediately and she sustained zero injuries. My car had only 58,000 miles on it and the tires were nearly new, so it appears to me that I had both brake and airbag failure resulting in the loss of my vehicle and personal injury as well as damage to the vehicles of the other two drivers. Since my vehicle was not financed, it had liability insurance only. I have noticed multiple complaints on this site regarding both brake and airbag failures in the Kia Sephia, yet I found no recalls for these items by Kia.

- Plano, TX, USA

problem #16

Jul 262005

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
2000 Kia Sephia. Consumer's daughter was driving on July 26, 2005 when a deer ran in front of the vehicle, she slammed on the brakes and swerved to miss the deer. She hit the metal guard rail and a telephone pole head on. This totaled the vehicle. The airbags did not deploy. The vehicle was not inspected. A police report was issued. Consumer has a gash on right eye and her lip was swollen. She was taken by ambulance to the hospital.

- Litchfield, CT, USA

problem #15

Apr 222004

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 41,000 miles
Was involved in an accident where I was the passenger I also was the owner of the car. Kia sophia 2000. The seat belt did not hold causing my head and hand to be thrown into the windshield twice. My hand went through the windshield my head broke the windshield. My car was totaled out from the accident but I feel as though Kia is at fault for the amount of injuries I received due to the fault of their seat belts. I have to have epidorals on my lower spine and surgery on my neck. Also the air bags on neither side came out.

- East Orange, NJ, USA

problem #14

Jun 252004

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While driving at 35 mph, the consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, the air bags did not deploy.

- Mineola, TX, USA

problem #13

Aug 302003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
I was sitting at a traffic light with my little girl (4 yrs old) sitting in her car seat when all of a sudden we were rear ended by a guy driving an older Suburban while he was talking on his cell phone! we were pushed into the Jeep Cherokee in front of us....it was estimated the guy in the Suburban was traveling around 40 mph or a little more....my car was crushed badly in the front...it was all pushed in...my air bags did not deploy....why?

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #12

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 #11

Sep 242003

Sephia

  • miles
While sitting at a traffic light and without physical contact with another vehicle driver's side and passenger's side air bags deployed, driver sustained head and neck injuries, and was transported by ambulance to a hospital.

- Bogota, NJ, USA

problem #10

Dec 192002

Sephia

  • miles
While driving there was a front end collision and drivers nor passenger air bag deployed, causing injuries. Ts consumer suffered injuries to the chest area, arm and a broken nose.

- Chilhowie, VA, USA

problem #9

Jun 012001

Sephia

  • miles
The consumer states during three accidents, air bags did not deploy, on one occasion a consumer was injured.

- Westmonroe, LA, USA

problem #8

Jun 102002

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Vehicle went off the side on the road, and none of the airbags deployed on impact.

- Summertown, TN, USA

problem #7

Feb 242002

Sephia

  • miles
While traveling at 15 mph another vehicle traveling at 35 to 40 mph ran a red light, and hit consumer's vehicle head on. Upon impact, none of the airbags deployed. Driver stated this was very unsafe airbags should have deployed.

- Decatur, IN, USA

problem #6

Jun 262001

Sephia

  • miles
Was traveling at highway speed and was involved in a head-on collision with another vehicle. Upon impact, neither air bag deployed. Vehicle was totaled. Had emergency treatment for shoulder belt abrasion.

- Dorr, MI, USA

problem #5

Mar 182001

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was traveling 45mph when another vehicle pulled in front. Airbags didn't deploy, hitting vehicle head on into other vehicle driver's side. Consumer experienced neck & head injuries. A service operator through manufacturer's hotline confirmed that going at 35mph impact and hitting another vehicle airbags would deploy. Consumer will be contacting dealer.

- Ocklawaha, FL, USA

problem #4

Jan 082001

Sephia

  • miles
Vehicle was struck from rear at 50 mph, forced into a spin several times, and into a concrete frontal barrier. Upon impact, dual air bags failed to deploy. Dealer/manufacturer were not notified at this time.please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Parris, CA, USA

problem #3

Jul 102000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer was involved in a collision in which air bags did not deploy, cause unknown. Also, consumer was experiencing excessive wear on the brake pads and rotors.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #2

Apr 102000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Driver's air bag cover was separating. Took vehicle to dealer & had the cover replaced. However, replaced air bag cover was worse than the original one. Was informed that the way the cover is situated that is the way the air bag would come out.

- Waukegan, IL, USA

problem #1

Jun 062000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle was in a head-on crash at 45 mph, and air bags did not deploy. Also, seat belts did not lock. Kia manufacturer has been contacted.

- Lowell, MI, USA