Brakes failed.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

This vehicle is a death trap..Ford dealer not very helpful.last incident almost caused serious accident. No safety defect mentioned in summary.

- Hawthorne, NJ, USA

I have only had this car for 1 month. It had been in the shop 3 times. It has never been fixed to my satisfaction. The battery died the day after I brought it home. The brakes had to be completely replaced. That cost ~$200. I have a small infant and bought this car for safety (dual airbags) the dealer won't buy the car back and the service department can't seem to fix the car. Help!!!

- Marietta, GA, USA

Brake pads and rotors have been replaced four times within a 28,000 mile period due to premature wearing, cause unknown.

- West Patterson, NJ, USA

While driving differential went out/ digital laser failed to work on cd panel/ power window electrical switch stopped working, and engine check light came on & did not go off. Dashboard covering was separating from window. There was water in the headlights, and battery would go dead. Took vehicle to dealer. Vehicle needed alignment due to problem with transmission & the brake assembly needed replacing due to excessive wear.

- Jackson, MS, USA

This is the second time in one year period that I have to have the rotors and brake pads replaced. This is a definite defect in Kia Sephia's from the factory, and the replacement parts are just as bad.

- Tampa, FL, USA

Extended stopping distance when brakes are applied.

- Va. Beach, VA, USA

While driving at any speed and applying brakes vehicle would not stop, resulting in extended stopping distance. Could hear noise from brakes. Also, vehicle vibrated.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

I started having brake failure and grinding from the rear after 5 days of purchasing the car.I was coming up to a stop sign and the car would not stop after applying the brakes.when backing up or coming to a stop I had a grinding sound and sounded like a liquid was splashing around at the same time.I took the car back to southlake Kia and told the service rep about the problems.before that I was checking the spark plugs and when they were pulled out one by one they were burned out and the air filter was almost as black as tar.I told the service rep about plugs and air filter.the spark plugs was changed but I was told that the filter was not going to be replaced.I talked to darryl harris/sealer/and he had to talk to his boss in order to get the filter replaced.darryl's boss told me that air filters was not going to be replaced, so I spoke with darryl again and he finally got them to change the air filter as well.after telling darryl why I was back so soon he called where the cars are taken to be serviced and was told that the car had never been serviced, and that's when the air filter was replaced.after explaining about my brakes and advising the service department that it was my back brakes that failing the most I was told by tom and the mechanic/I believe his name is george, I not really sure/that cars do not have back brakes.I was told by tom in so many words that a car does not have to be serviced and that a car can be sold even if it is know that it has brake or any other type of problems.I spoke with tony at 800 333 4542 ext 35014 who said that he would get someone from dps who could authorize the repairs.to date I still have not heard from anyone who can assist me with my problems.on 7/26/99 tom had the mechanic to replace front pads and rotors with updated pars, cleaned and adjusted rear barkes.the front pads had uneven wear as well.after the repairs tom told me that he had the front and back brakes replaced and replaced the pads.

- Atlanta, GA, USA

At approximately every 3,000 miles brake rotors are prematurely warping, cause unknown. Dealer replaced the brake pads which did not correct the problem.

- Hyattsville, MD, USA

Seems like every 3-4 months brakes start to pulsate, 3 times so far, each time replaced, being told that wrong style being used, engine check light just started acting up for the 6th time, each time being told it is sensors or ground connections. Just noticed the clutch problem of going too low to floor for the 6th time, each time being told something different. This is getting old. Went to open drivers door one day an handle would not work. Was leaking fluid from right front side of vehicle another time to find it was the axle seal, which was replaced 2 times. Getting ready to tell dealer they can have this car. For only having less than 14,000 miles, too much is happening too often.

- Virginia Beach, VA, USA

Brake disc warpage was reported.

- Arlington, TX, USA

While driving car on to a highway applied brakes and had lt front wheel lock up and lost controll of steering and hit curb doing damage to lt control arm and rim had to have vehicle towed home car was diabled for 2wks

- Taneytown, MD, USA

Front brake rotors and pads have been replaced twice because of premature warping. The first time with 14, 000 miles and the second time with 24,000 miles.

- Clearwater, FL, USA

Brake rotors and brake pads warped and wore out. This caused extended stopping distance, and could resultin a crash. Front braking system has been replaced 4 times. Delaer cannot determine the problem.

- Panama City, FL, USA

When brakes are applied pedal goes to the floor and the front end shimmies. Dealer replaced the brakes several times and the problem still exists. Manufacturer has not been notified.

- Reno, NV, USA

Rotors and brake pads replaced twice. Rotors warped and pads glazing. Complained thats brakes were not working right, and not stopping right. Started to file lemon law, and went to informal arbitration. Kia motors refused to do anything. Was going to file with the state when the brakes failed and resulted in an accident. I have noticed many of the same complaints about the brakes with Kia motors, on NHTSA web site. Does someone have to get hurt or die in a car crash before Kia will address the problem with their brake systems being placed on these cars, which has a major defect in them, causing accidents. Thank god my daughter was wearing her seat belt when the accident occured. The insurance company has totaled the car!!!!!! I will procide to sue Kia motors for their failure to address such a serious problem

- Lutz, FL, USA

No summary

- Salt Lake City, UT, USA

At 22,000 miles the brake rotors and pads are prematurely wearing. The brake rotors had to be replaced due to corrosion.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

Brakes failed causing major pulsating and extended stopping distances. Front brake pads replaced twice before. On October '98 replaced with new design shoe pad. Front rotors also replaced on October '98. Now once again experiencing extended stopping distances - major pulsating of brakes has returned for a third time. Previous repairs have shown there is a problem which causes the front disc pads to warp and wear out rotor.

- Weston, FL, USA