9.5
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 0
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 1,042 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.
Consumer has experienced several problems with 1999 Kia Sephia. Nar 07/21/2003. Transmission, rear blinkers, brake pads, fuel pump and valve.
- West Des Moines, IA, USA
Recall number 99V318000. Remedy did not correct recall problem, fuel pump does not receive enough current which causes the vehicle to completely shut down. Vehicle only shuts down when it it stopped or is slowing for a turn.
- Detroit, MI, USA
Since earnhardt Kia re-ground transmission wiring harness and worked on fuel pump (another recall), car has still stuck in gear, dragged, made grinding sound and shakes from 45 to esp. 55-75 mph, partic when running hot (over 15 minutes). It also still randomly stalls on cold start or when rainy/wet. Kia Consumer Affairs called and requested I not take the vehicle back to earnhardt or to thomas motors authorized Kia dealerships and to please take it to another dealership and they would call back to confirm a loaner vehicle....which they did not. Sure enough, this morning, on the way to work, it was doing it's usual dragging, grinding, and shaking while I drove except, this time, it stuck in 1-2 gear all the way up to 45mph, then jumped, and then when it went up to 65mph (freeway) right afterwards, I smelled a strange smokey chemical smell and the engine light came on immediately. I was two exits from work so was able to make it to work and called Kia and another dealership (childress Kia) right away. The vehicle only has 28,800 miles and kess than 2 years old. To make matters worse, I twice had to call Kia back when one of their representatives and then the tow truck driver they had arranged to take the vehicle indicated that Kia had placed a note in my file that my warranty was "pre-expired." It took calling back, being put on hold numerous times before they finally indicated that they had made an administrative mistake and, of course, still warrantied. This manufacturer has been nothing less than unresponsive and incompetent mechanically and administratively in resolving this vehicles major powertrain defects (past and current) and request investigation remain open until vehicle recalled and returned.
- Chandler, AZ, USA
Vehicle experienced failure of the engine due to possible recall component failure prior to recall notificiation (99V-317) fuel pump failure.
- Brightwate, NY, USA
Vehicle experienced failure of the engine due to possible recall component failure prior to recall notificiation (99V-317) fuel pump failure.
- Brightwate, NY, USA
Consumer does not feel safe in the vehicle due to recall (99V318).
- Plantation, FL, USA
Consumer denied recall repair due to lack of parts. (99V-318)
- Norfolk, VA, USA
Recall work was denied by one dealership and consumer had repair done at another. (99V-318)
- Nathalie, VA, USA
Consumer tried to schedule recall repair (99V-318), however denied due to VIN #, owner not satisfied with notice.
- Vernon Hills, IL, USA
Vehicle recall repair denied due to problem with dealership/scheduling. (99V-317/318 and 99V-271).
- Winthrop, ME, USA
Prior to recall fuel sensor failed causing the vehicle to stall on the road (99V-317).yh
- Battle Creek, MI, USA
Defective fuel pump, causing intermittent stalling. Also, gear shift would not shift out of gear. Dealer notified.
- Ferguson, MO, USA
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall number 99V318000 concerning fuel pump failure. Dealer stated the parts were on back order, parts still not available.
- Ashbury Park, NJ, USA
- Kingsport, TN, USA