10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
21,293 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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problem #11

Sep 262008

Sephia

  • 63,890 miles
Replaced the rear brake shoes, because of a noise when the brakes were applied. When the brake drum was removed the on the right side the brake lining fell on the floor. It had separated from the brake shoe. The brake drum showed no sign of over heating such as if the emergency brake was left on.(,checking)all the shoes appear to be failing..the vehicle has front disc and has 64000 miles on it. The brake shoes appear to be factory. The defective parts are available.

- Camden, DE, USA

problem #10

Jul 242007

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles
The contact owns a 2000 Kia Sephia. The brakes make a banging and knocking noise when they are applied. The contact stated that all of the brakes were changed, but the noise still persists. The current mileage was 129,000 and failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 01/29/08 the consumer stated the vehicle will not stop. Updated

- Sterling Heights, MI, USA

problem #9

Jan 012006

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Regular driving causing brakes on 2000 Kia Sephia to require constant maintenance on the front rotors and pads. At varied intervals, the brakes would begin to start vibrating when applied, especially on the highway at high speeds (60 mph) and going down hills. There has been no accidents but many close calls. This is a very dangerous safety hazard. There is clearly a flaw in the braking system, that Kia obviously will not acknowledge. As a matter of fact, I have to replace the rotors this week because they have been shaved down so much. Five times in 2 years, and I won't even drive the car for months at a time. Mostly because of this reason.

- Seattle, WA, USA

problem #8

Aug 152003

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,788 miles
Gear shift is my big problem right now with my car. It has been in 3 times in the past 2 years. 1st two times was due to the in-ability to get the car out of park. 1st repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was lubricate the gear shift cable. (accused driver of getting pop in the gear shifter) 2nd repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was to replace the gear shift cable. 3rd repair car stalled on the road and would not start. Repair "free-up shifter shat in transmission (would not go all the wasy in park and was hard to find any gears and would cause a no start)". this is the quote on the back of the repari ticket. When the car was pick-up. The car again refused to start. Was told that the gear shifter on the floor had to be shoved to the consolse to make the car recognize that it is in the "park" location. What I want is fair market value for my car from Kia. Right now getting run around. They need more information from the Kia repair and service manager before anything else can be done. Right now I am afraid to drive this car because if it stalls on a busy road, it takes about 30 seconds to force the gear shift into the right location to get the engine to turn over. Second complaint is now I am being told that the car needs new tires and brakes (rotors). Again Kia blaming the driver, break down is due to bad braking habbits.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #7

Nov 192003

(reported on)

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Vehicle experienced brake failure while driving in traffic. Consumer just shifted into second gear when traffic started to stop. Brakes were applied but to no avail. Consume kept pumping the brakes but nothing. Two repairs shops stated brake failure. Consumer checked the internet and learned of a class action law suit for brake failure on 1998-2000 Sephia's/sportage's for brake failure.

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #6

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 #5

Aug 012003

(reported on)

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Problems with brake equipment on a 2000 Kia Sephia. The vehicle experienced numerous problems with the brakes, however the consumer believed it was due to inefficient service

- Cape Coral, FL, USA

problem #4

Jul 102002

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
I had a car accident where I rear ended another vehicle because I could not stop. After further investigation on my own, I found there is a class action lawsuit against Kia Sephia & sportages for their 1998-2000 models for brake failure. The brakes either completely fail at once or a person is continually replacing brakes/pads, etc. I encourage anyone to file a complaint if they have any similar problems.

- Chippewa Falls, WI, USA

problem #3

Jun 302003

(reported on)

Sephia

  • 8,000 miles
Service brakes are out wearing prematurely. Cause unknown.

- Helena, MT, USA

problem #2

Mar 052000

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 549 miles
Our Kia Sephia 2000 is a lemon. We have had to replace the brakes four times because of premature ware and shaking due to poor design. We received the car with a dead battery. We are on our third battery. We were on our third set of tires before 30,000 miles. The gear shift will stick so that you can not take it out of park. The weather molding is falling off. Check engine light goes on and they could not keep it from coming on.

- Ladera Ranch, CA, USA

problem #1

Jan 272003

Sephia

  • 20,000 miles
The brakes failed.

- West Roxbury, MA, USA