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.
The contact owns a 1999 Kia Sephia. Shortly after the vehicle was purchased, it failed to start. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and repaired. One month later, while driving at an unknown speed, the vehicle began to sputter and eventually shut off. Prior to shutting off, the vehicle lost power steering ability and the contact struck a curb. The cv axle joint was damaged. The vehicle has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The current mileage was 147,000 and failure mileage was 140,000.
This car has been a constant repair and financial problem for the last 4 years starting two weeks after I purchased the car. It is an unsafe vehicle and can not be kept maintained for safety or reliability it was purchased with 21000 miles on the vehicle and a majority of repairs has had to be fixed. 4 starters, ignition switch, ignition switch wiring harness (ignition still doesn't work), air bag sensor, air bag wiring (air bags still does not work), alternator, front passenger side drive axel broke while I was driving the car, right passenger ball joint fell off the car while I was driving the car, master cylinder and rear brake cylinder went out at the same time while I was driving the car, heater/air conditioning motor. The car has been towed 3 times, and has left me and my children stranded too many times to count. The car is still in need of major repair. The driver rear stabilizer bushings need replaced, the driver's side drive axel needs replaced, the air bags still do not work, the ignition switch still gets stuck and won't turn over, and two weeks ago a piston was thrown through the engine and caught the car on fire. The car is now parked in my drive way leaving me stuck with a car payment and a car that is not worth fixing.
NHTSA campaign 99V317000; Kia issued an engine stalling recall. This vehicle was included in the recall, but the problem is still occurring even after repair. The fuel pump will not receive enough current to maintain the vehicle on.
Consumer had to have the motor rebuilt. The engine was rebuilt because the engine kept overheating. Now the transmission needs to be replaced but the consumer cannot afford to repair it. The starter was also replaced.
There was an ongoing / intermittent problem with the vehicle stalling while taking off from a stop position or while driving 25 mph or more. The vehicle hesitated before it stalled. The vehicle had been to the dealer three times and they were unable to correct/ duplicate the problem. Please provide any further information concerning this issue.
- Selma, AL, USA
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The transmission failed at 30,000, when the vehicle was repaired, consumer was informed that eventually there would be problems with the engine, consumer stated it took numerous tires to get the vehicle to start.
The car wouldn't start shortly after I bought it. It took several trips to the dealer in order for them to replace the starter. After the starter was replaced the problem continued and the flywheel was finally replaced. Approximately one week prior to receiving a recall notice on the wiper blades the wipers stopped working during heavy rain on a highway which almost caused me to get into an accident. I have had electrical problems such as the ceiling light going on and off whenever I turned corners. The car battery was even replaced after the new starter and flywheel were put in because the car still had problems starting. Recently the transmission had to be replaced. A week after the transmission was replaced the overdrive light and the engine light started blinking on and off. The car finally stalled and had to be towed. The car was given back to me and I was told that a gasket in the transmission was leaking. A week after that the over drive light and the engine light started flashing again and the car starting driving as if it was stuck in first gear. The car finally stalled again and wouldn't move.
Complete lemon. Nothing but problems. Replaced brakes, transmission, 2 axles, windshield wiper motor, flywheel, faulty wiring in door, battery, starting problems, blinker switch replaced, seat tore upon car pick-up, too many things gone wrong to list
Brakes are wearing out excessively & deteriorating. Whenever brakes are applied, they cause vehicle to shake. Took vehicle to dealer & mechanic changed pads & warped rotors. Also rotated & cleaned the brakes. Rear seat belt lock is too high. Air conditioner draining on floor, dealer cleaned A/C drain. Consumer feels a hard shock when shifting into gear. Engine hard to start, dealer replaced the flywheel. Binding lever failed on the parking brake.
Tires was replaced Feb.29th 2000 plus alignment and flywheel replaced in transmission. After that heard rubbing nioses when I turned wheel lt. To rt. Asked mechanic about niose he stated I know what it is, when he came back to return my car (he stated) it was your mounts to the transmission was not aligned, bolts. Plus this is my second Kia Sephia and I not getting any help with the problems and I could go on and on, but I would write a best seller. Thanks for listening
When starting the engine it would turn over & then vehicle would stall. Once started, vehicle would hesitate. The fuel gauge fails to register fuel intake. Also, vehicle is very hard to shift into gear properly. Took vehicle to dealer to have problems checked. The mechanic replaced the fly wheel & the gas tank.
When vehicle was at stand still it would start vibrating. Had been to dealer & mechanic could not locate the problem. Took to another mechanic & informed consumer that the body mounts were loose & needed tightening or replacement.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sevierdille, TN, USA