10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 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 engine problems

engine problem

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1998 Kia Sephia Owner Comments (Page 1 of 4)

problem #67

Jul 281999

Sephia

  • miles

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

The vehicle experinces excessive crank or no crank condition, the dealer replaced the flywheel, the vehicle also experiences rough idle, dealer cleaned ground connection under the hood, the vehicle shuts off while driving.

- Lakewood, OH, USA

problem #66

Jan 042002

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While driving approximately 65 mph, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred. Brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #65

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 #64

Mar 202001

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Engine needs to be replaced. Dealer said engine was sludged up due to no regular oil changes. Consumer has had regular oil changes done at very same dealership, consumer does not believe that is the reason engine needs to be replaced. Kia is of no help.

- Edgewater Park, NJ, USA

problem #63

Mar 092001

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While vehicle is being driven engine will completely shut down without warning, cause unknown.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #62

Jan 242000

Sephia

  • miles
The vehicle would suddenly loose power upon acceleration, the vehicle was taken to the dealer but no cause was found. Nlm

- Augusta, GA, USA

problem #61

Aug 102000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

The engine is not starting, battery replaced and other repairs completed however the engine is still not starting.

- Fairfield, OH, USA

problem #60

Sep 242000

Sephia

  • miles
Brakes, lights, seats, battery, airbags, odometer, leaks, aircondition, leftdoorhandle (tiresize: 14`)( dot number: Tire size: 14` )

- Colfax, LA, USA

problem #59

Jul 172000

Sephia

  • miles
Courtesy imports-henderson nv. I won't recommend this car to anyone. Car's engine lights came on, we took it to the dealer, but problem could not be duplicated the first time, again engine lights came on, car drives poorly- shifts terribly, jerks and engine revs in idle., we took it back, tune-up suggested, tune-up done. Still engine lights come on, we bring it back, pick it up when ready, return it for same problem, now on 6th return for repair since 7/17/00. I think it's a real lemon. I just want my car back working properly! it's a terrible car. If you want me to fax you the work orders/service history sheets I have I loved too.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #58

Jul 172000

Sephia

  • miles
Courtesy imports-henderson nv. I won't recommend this car to anyone. Car's engine lights came on, we took it to the dealer, but problem could not be duplicated the first time, again engine lights came on, car drives poorly- shifts terribly, jerks and engine revs in idle., we took it back, tune-up suggested, tune-up done. Still engine lights come on, we bring it back, pick it up when ready, return it for same problem, now on 6th return for repair since 7/17/00. I think it's a real lemon. I just want my car back working properly! it's a terrible car. If you want me to fax you the work orders/service history sheets I have I loved too.

- Henderson, NV, USA

problem #57

Jan 272000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

Possible engine failure resulted in vehicle fire. Nlm

- Erlanger, KY, USA

problem #56

Dec 011999

Sephia

  • miles
Engine shuts off intermitently without warning. Several failed attempts to repair. Filing for lemon law.

- Huntington, WV, USA

problem #55

May 252000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While traveling vehicle would stall without indication. Dealer repaired problem once, but it returned.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #54

Apr 282000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
While driving on the highway vehicle will completely stall without warning, nearly causing a collision.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #53

Apr 252000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Received recall notice 99V318000 & contacted dealership. Was informed by service manager that no parts were available for engine stalling repair. Would notify owner when parts would be available. Owner is still waiting.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #52

Dec 281999

Sephia

  • miles
Recall 99V318/ engine stalling. Parts were not available.

- San Diego, CA, USA

problem #51

Mar 082000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
Consumer contacted the dealer in reference to recall number 99V318000/ engine stalling. Problem continued to occur. While driving vehicle stalled and cut off.

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #50

Dec 011998

Sephia

  • miles
Since the time that I have purchased this car it has been falling apart. The car is constantly shutting down or it just won't start. At this present time my car is sittting at stonemountain Kia whereas it is in need a third battery all within less than a years time. Eventhough they know the dangerous history of this car that I purchased new, they continually return the car to me without doing a safety check. I have had my car towed to their location several times in the same week because they have felled to fix the problem. Once again my car is continually suffering from the same problems that are continuing to grow worst. The air conditioning system fails to work properly. The driveshaft is always sticking in the gears. The air bag light continually blink and stay on for periods at a time. The exhaust still making loud noise that I have complained about since I brought the car. The engine jerks and the car is burning a lot of gas. The battery acid continues to leak out into the car. The air vents broke just from a slight touch and so did the knob that control the air circulation. The car is constantly stalling. The car shakes badly when pressing on the brakes. Firestone refuses to work on Kia's because they are aware of all the faulty system pertaining to Kia's. lation

- Norcross, GA, USA

problem #49

Jan 012000

Sephia

  • miles
Car was fixed when recall notice received. Still, power is weak, required more pressure on gas pedal to accelerate. The car shakes when accelerates from 0 miles. Oil leaks somewhere behind oil filter. Lost power at cold weather, required jump start. Mpg is reduced.

- Dorchester, MA, USA

problem #48

Mar 012000

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles
NHTSA recall99V318000 and manufacturer's recall 99V318/ engine stalling. No parts were available.

- Avondale Estates, GA, USA

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