This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
1997 Kia Sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed.
When I bought the car the brakes felt bad because I had to push the brake all the way to the floor. After having it for 2 weeks other thing started to go wrong. I had to buy a cap and rotor and get spark plug and wires. Now the transmission is messing up. They are not willing to put me in something better. They want me to pay on a junk car that I will always have to be fixing day after day.
The vehicles dashboard is becoming detached from the frame its mounted on. Consumer is concerned because of the electrical wiring underneath. Dealer has been contacted.
3rd time problem with rotors.turned 1X, replaced 1X.check engine light came on and they're claiming that the wiring is corroded all over the car.admits Kia has problem with rotors, but won't fix it because I haven't used dealership for routine and maintenance (too expensive and bad hours...they charged $200 more than any other place for 30K service!same work involved!
- Melbourne, FL, USA
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Dash board is sepazrating from the car frame. Was told by dealership that if it separated anymore it would deploy passenger airbag. Is not covered by warranty. Said that it would cost $1000 just for parts, and $400 and hour for labor. Said that I could try to locate recalls or find a replacement to fix it. Said that I would have to pay for all cost. I was told by another dealership that Kia incorp. Should have to replace it at no cost since it was affecting the airbag. It was appearent that the dash was not seperating due to something I did. It was a defective item. They also said that there were screws missing from part that hold it down.
Dash board is sepazrating from the car frame. Was told by dealership that if it separated anymore it would deploy passenger airbag. Is not covered by warranty. Said that it would cost $1000 just for parts, and $400 and hour for labor. Said that I could try to locate recalls or find a replacement to fix it. Said that I would have to pay for all cost. I was told by another dealership that Kia incorp. Should have to replace it at no cost since it was affecting the airbag. It was appearent that the dash was not seperating due to something I did. It was a defective item. They also said that there were screws missing from part that hold it down.
Engine & engine check light & power/fuel injection switch. Been in the service department for checkups and repairs 5 times for the same thing. Car is dead, timing chain broke and the block frozed up.
I have reported this intermittent problem ever since I first purchased this car; however, the dealer insists there is nothing wrong with the car since they can't detect the problem while it is in their possession. I have reported the problem at least a dozen times over the past 3 years, yet it has shown up on my maintenance slip only once or twice that I have reported it. Quite often, when I start the engine (regardless of weather conditions or whether the engine is cold or warm) and I turn the key, the starter sounds as if the engine is already running and I hear that god awful grinding sound in the selenoid. It sounds just like the engine is already running and I turn the key again. I am extremely frustrated with the dealer and am tired of reporting the problem, especially since they don't seem to want to replace it. Of course now, after 3 years, the warranty has run out and I would have to pay for any replacement. At one time, one salesman told me to continue reporting the problem because Kia has received complaints from other owners with the same problem and if it's ever recalled, it will be documented. However, as I stated previously, the dealership has not been recording my complaints on the maintenance papers so it still isn't documented. I just keep wondering where I will be and how much longer it will be before it lets me setting somewhere. I realize the 800 # will cover towing, etc. But that's not much comfort when you're a woman alone and stranded somewhere and have tried numerous times to correc the problem before it does let me stranded --- hopefully not in a rural or deserted area where there are no phones or at night when I am alone. What more can I do?! no safety defect mentione din summary.
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.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Baltimore, MD, USA