10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
0 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

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.

1998 Kia Sephia electrical problems

electrical problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #12

Aug 012003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Purchased the car in 1999. Have had numerous problems starting it. Replaced the starter 3 times. Still have prblems starting it. 2002 didn't pass inspection because of exaust, Kia dealership was suppose to fix problem still having problems starting and exaust inspection failed again.

- Centerville, MA, USA

problem #11

Aug 092001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
The vehicle has starting problems.

- Baltimore, MD, USA

problem #10

May 171999

Sephia

  • miles
Vehicle will intermittently stall while driving. It happens at any speed. Contacted dealer, and the dealer stated that starter's fuse burned out.

- Monsui, NY, USA

problem #9

Mar 012000

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Transmission has been worked on over past year. ABS light came on and stayed on due to catalytic converter failure. Wheel bearing failed and was replaced. Automatic transmission had no engagement due to half shaft failure. Engine stalled at a stop due to transmission assembly failure. Brakes were noisy and were replaced, including the rotors. Engine will not start due to battery and starter failure.

- Rockford, IL, USA

problem #8

Jun 062000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Starter failed. Nlm

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #7

Feb 111999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Starter started grinding and intermittently failed.

- Portland, OR, USA

problem #6

Jul 061999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle won't start. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #5

Aug 041999

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Vehicle won't start. Nlm

- Gulfport, MS, USA

problem #4

Dec 311998

Sephia

  • miles
The brakes have failed twice and the starter once. The dealership and Kia have not been of any help

- Medford, MA, USA

problem #3

Jul 161999

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Alternator, starter and two batteries have failed. Mjs

- Port Orange, FL, USA

problem #2

Oct 051998

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer was experiencing the following ongoing problems: Transmission made loud noise when changing gears, and gears did not lock into place when put in park/fuses kept blowing out, had replaced electrical wires/starter was not strong enough to start vehicle & needed to be replaced, and brakes had to be replaced due to excessive wear of front brake rotors, calipers & pads. Brake problem still exists.

- Holiday, FL, USA

problem #1

Feb 221999

Sephia

  • miles
Since purchasing the vechile on 2-11-99 at 7700 miles, car has hesitated starting, slow starts, sputtering starts and sometimes cranks several times before starting. This happens more on cold starts, but not always. Only a few times on warm starts. Unpredictable. Car has been serviced twice in past two weeks. Starter relay, starter and fuse box replaced. Still has problem. Being serviced for third time in as many weeks.

- Westlake, OH, USA

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