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. The contact received a recall notice for NHTSA campaign id number 99V317000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). He was not experiencing any failures at the time, but he took the vehicle to the dealer and they replaced the fuel pump connectors. In 2003 (three years later), the engine service light illuminated on the instrument panel and the vehicle would sporadically stall at any speed. The vehicle also experienced a no start condition. He took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the fuel pump connector was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred in 2006. He took the vehicle back to the dealer and they stated that the fuel pump connector was corroded again. The vehicle was repaired again; however, the contact believes that the recall repair is not the correct remedy because the corrosion occurs every three years. The failure mileage was 14,000 and current mileage was 54,000. Updated 08/06/09.
Recall number 99V318000. Remedy did not correct recall problem, fuel pump does not receive enough current which causes the vehicle to completely shut down. Vehicle only shuts down when it it stopped or is slowing for a turn.
Since earnhardt Kia re-ground transmission wiring harness and worked on fuel pump (another recall), car has still stuck in gear, dragged, made grinding sound and shakes from 45 to esp. 55-75 mph, partic when running hot (over 15 minutes). It also still randomly stalls on cold start or when rainy/wet. Kia Consumer Affairs called and requested I not take the vehicle back to earnhardt or to thomas motors authorized Kia dealerships and to please take it to another dealership and they would call back to confirm a loaner vehicle....which they did not. Sure enough, this morning, on the way to work, it was doing it's usual dragging, grinding, and shaking while I drove except, this time, it stuck in 1-2 gear all the way up to 45mph, then jumped, and then when it went up to 65mph (freeway) right afterwards, I smelled a strange smokey chemical smell and the engine light came on immediately. I was two exits from work so was able to make it to work and called Kia and another dealership (childress Kia) right away. The vehicle only has 28,800 miles and kess than 2 years old. To make matters worse, I twice had to call Kia back when one of their representatives and then the tow truck driver they had arranged to take the vehicle indicated that Kia had placed a note in my file that my warranty was "pre-expired." It took calling back, being put on hold numerous times before they finally indicated that they had made an administrative mistake and, of course, still warrantied. This manufacturer has been nothing less than unresponsive and incompetent mechanically and administratively in resolving this vehicles major powertrain defects (past and current) and request investigation remain open until vehicle recalled and returned.
Consumer contacted dealer in reference to recall number 99V318000 concerning fuel pump failure. Dealer stated the parts were on back order, parts still not available.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Kingsport, TN, USA