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.
Transmission has been replaced several times to no avail.the vehicle is not shifting properly and makes strange noises when in reverse.I have another appointment for 9/6/01.
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.
I started taking my car in to the mechanic at the dealership shortly after I purchased the car about the car not shifting correctly and being so sluggish. I'm not sure about the dates I took the car in but it was several times. I was told that nothing was wrong or they couldn't find any problems. It has just gotten so bad that I'm not able to drive the car now. I've had problems with the brakes, the air conditioner, check engine light coming on and staying on and the overdrive light flashing on and off. I'm sure they don't have a record of the many times I've gone by because they would usually just look at it or drive it around the block and say they couldn't find anything. Now that the warranty is out, they have come up with some suggestions at my expense. The car has never performed properly and they just kept putting me off until I finally gave up. I am unable to drive the car now because it will barely get up to 35 miles per hour. I will greatly appreciate anything you may be able to do to assist me. Thanks
While driving about any mph when engine check light and overdrive light will come on. This situation had been a problem for consumer sixth times. When lights come on engine will stall. Dealer could not find out what is causing it.
- Berlin, MD, USA
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Have taken vehicle for fuel pump problems over 6X..3 recalls & still seems to run hard/stall. Transmission first brought in on 1/1/00, they couldn't diagnose and then 3/23/01 diagnosed for same problem- repaired. Now sticks in 3-4th gear. All 4 original tires have separated and been replaced (15K miles and 24K miles). Electrical still causing powertrain and accessory-related (radio) recurringly fail. Car is extremely dangerous and Kia/dealership fails to diagnose/repair only until recall on exact prev brought in problems occur (and keep recurring). This partic vehicle is extreme hazard/liability to drive. (tiresize: 185/65R14)( dot number: Tire size: 185/65R14 )
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
The problems I am having or have had with this car are as follows, cooling system has completly froze up, water leak into the front passenger side under dash, molding around the doors replaced, 4 transmissions replaced, warped rotors which have also worn the brake pads. And I just recieved a recall notice for the on board refueling vapor recovery valves, which I am hoping will stop the gas from pouring out of the car onto me when I am refueling. This car is not road worthy. I have been in contact with the manufacturer and dealer they both just point the finger at one another, when I purchased this vehicle I expected it to run.
Engine check light would stay on, vehicle overheated & overdrive would blink on/off. Ground wire was suppose to be fixed, but vehicle caught on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Manufacturer said they couldn't do anything, filed a lawsuit. Warranty was not up on vehicle.
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.
Have had my car in several times for service and was told that it was the way I dirve...I then began taking my car to dale spradley in pueblo co for warranty service...I was told that they reset computer on the transmission and it would have to adjust to my driving again...my problem is the transmission slips when cold as soon as you put it in gear. Sometimes does it after being driven awhile and you let off the gas to make a turn it will act as if it is in neutral and then finally drop into gear. It is really hard for a woman to get good service as service department (men) employees think we have no idea what we are talking about. I have been treated vey rude at phil long Ford and recnetly at dale spradley...I now have an appointment to have the breaks checked as they are making a horrifying noise when I apply them...something I had ask twice to be checked prior and was told nothing was wrong with them...neither of these dealers have ever given me any type of receipt that my car had been serviced...I had to have the drivers seat cuhion replaced as the vinyl side split out and have no receipt of that. All they say is it is on record in the computer...I would still like to have a copy for my records.
Right after I purchased vehicle, music system had to be replaced. Battery had to be replaced in less than a year.had to take it in for two recalls. Brakes sometimes squeak when you come to a stop. While traveling on the highway car will start to vibrate. The low fuel light comes on even though you may have over a half of tank of gas. Engine is racing to high. Notice in July/00 while driving car starts to jerk or plung forward for no apparent reason. Also when you apply your brakes it will do this. Recently I have taken car to the dealership about this problem, but they could not find anything wrong with it.
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
Every time the car is off for 2 hours or more, when car is first started cannot shift out of park. Button on side of stick will not push in & car must be allowed to heat up for 2-5 minutes whether it's hot or cold outside. This morning it would not move at all for 20 minutes until I sprayed WD40 around the base & around the button. I was told by the dealer it was sticky due to liquid being dropped in stick compartment. I have never spilled anything in there. They said it was stiff due to the cold in the morning. Now it's hot in the morning -- and it still sticks!!!!
Brakes and rotors replaced 3 times once at 8208, 16257, and 20368 having same problem and transmission replaced with rebuilt one O\D lights flashes and check engine still having the same problem transmission went out again 1 day after they said they fixed
I thought the brakes were going bad in December, they shafed the rotors. In less than three moths they replaced them on March 2, 2000. They have replaced the brake pads three times. They have replaced the exhaust. They have two recalls. They have had to fix my transmission. The pin stripes are now starting to come off. The rubber peice around the back passenger doors are also comming off.( dot number: 0 tire size: 14 )
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Orlando, FL, USA