10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
2,667 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.

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problem #18

Jun 122003

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles
I paid to have this problem fixed but I probably shouldn't have had to. When refueling my 1998 Kia Sephia, there was a small amount of gasoline that would spill on the ground under the fuel tank--whether I completely fill the vehicle or simply put a gallon or two in the tank. I could not put my car in the garage at night because I was afraid that the gas water heater would cause an explosion--the lingering fumes would exist for a day or two after each visit to the gas pump.

- Acworth, GA, USA

problem #17

Nov 022002

Sephia

  • miles
The battery had blown up and spewed liquid/acid. The consumer had received two recalls prior to the incident, one in re: Gas valve and the other was electrical. The dealer continues to postpone the dates for repair. (recall# 102944) scc

- Stockbridge, GA, USA

problem #16

Oct 242002

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer states that while driving and without warning the fuel tank crack causing fluid to link out. Dealer notified

- Etters, PA, USA

problem #15

Jan 312001

Sephia

  • miles
Broken vapor hose on top of tank broke causing check engine light to illuminate and caused a bad smell of gas to enter the vehicle.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #14

Mar 012001

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer received recall 00V175000, and had it repaired in December 2000. Problem has reoccurred as though it was never fixed. When tank is full gas spits out. Dealer isn't responding to recall. Tank makes a thumping sound when gas is put in vehicle, and begin to start vehicle, consumer states she is scared to drive vehicle that it may explode. Referenced in RQ03-006

- Rio Hondo, TX, USA

problem #13

Apr 012000

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer received a recall letter on gas gauge. After taking it in gas gauge did not go to full. Currently, gas gauge still does not go to full. Just received another recall letter for PCV valve.

- Milton, VT, USA

problem #12

Sep 071999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Fuel gauge failure.

- Perry, UT, USA

problem #11

Jul 082000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Contacted lawyer and sued for refund which I got!!!!! lemon law. No safety defect listed within summary.

- Warwick, RI, USA

problem #10

Feb 162000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
While filling gas tank the fuel sprayed back at the consumer. Nlm

- Citra, FL, USA

problem #9

Nov 241999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Gas tank failed.

- West Bend, WI, USA

problem #8

Jun 051999

Sephia

  • miles
The original problem was the gas guage not reading the proper level, after it was repaired it occurred again. The same day as the second repair the gas tank developed a leak. Three months after this repair the leak reoccurred. It was repaired and within 1 week was back in the shop with another leak. The vehicle in now the northtown Kia being repaired for the third leak.

- Buffalo, NY, USA

problem #7

Sep 011998

Sephia

  • miles
Fuel will spit out while refueling tank. Tank not necessarily full when this occurs

- Brigham City, UT, USA

problem #6

Jan 191999

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Gas tank is designed with a lot of curves which allows the gas to flow freely. This has resulted in gas spilling onto persons filling the tank.

- Chesapeake, VA, USA

problem #5

Jun 171999

Sephia

  • miles
No summary listed for this vehicle.

- Eureka, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 201999

Sephia 4WD

  • miles
Tail light had to be replaced because of leaking, this is 4th time for brakes squeaking and pulsating, cow panel baffle needed replaced because of water pouring in behind glove box.people I don't know pull me over and complain about their Kia Sephias and similar problems with them. Also the engine sometimes won't start the first time. It takes two or three times once in a while. It also sounds like the engine will jump right out of the car because it jerks so hard when starting. The gas tank has yet to let me fill it all the way. It gets almost full, then spits the gas out and won't let you "squeeze " it full. It's like there is no venting going on. I have heard similiar reports from other owners.

- Shadyside, OH, USA

problem #3

Aug 091998

Sephia

  • miles
Whenever fuel is pumped into tank, it would spill back out. Vehicle cannot be completely filled. Has taken vehicle to dealer & entire fuel tank system has been replaced. The problem still exists. Also engine check light keeps coming on/turn signals would not show, and headlights would get moisture inside of lens.

- Diamond Head, MS, USA

problem #2

Sep 071998

Sephia

  • miles
Front axle made a noise due to a wrong size of the axle on the vehicle. Also there was a defective transmission/ emission control system. Axle and transmission replaced. Gas tank will not fill properly, spits gas back onto the ground.

- Middletown, NY, USA

problem #1

Nov 091998

Sephia

  • miles
The consumer has been experiencing several problems wit vehicle. The horn, brakes, engine check light, and gas lights has been malfunctioning. When they put in gasoline in vehicle, it shoots back out and the gas light continues to illuminate. The manufacturer has been contacted.

- Washington, DC, USA