10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
15 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
17 / 1
Average Mileage:
17,790 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.

2001 Kia Sephia seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2001 Kia Sephia Owner Comments

problem #16

Aug 012006

Sephia

  • 119,583 miles

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

I was driving my 2001 Kia Sephia approximately 45 mph in Decatur county, Georgia on August 1, 2006 when a Pontiac Bonneville pulled into my lane of travel. My Sephia collided with the Bonneville at a 20 degree angle. Neither of the front airbags deployed and my son (front seat passenger) was thrown into the front windshield where his head was lodged in the glass. He sustained a severe and permanent closed head injury and now requires 24/7 care. In addition to suffering a closed head injury, my son's knee impacted the instrument panel to the left of the glove box which caused severe hip and leg injuries. Kia denied responsibility and litigation is ongoing. Experts in the litigation estimate the ebs of the crash to be between 12 & 18 mph.

- Bainbridge, GA, USA

problem #15

Apr 222010

Sephia

  • 135,000 miles
Drive and passenger airbag did not deploy in 2001 Kia Sephia ls.

- Morrisville, PA, USA

problem #14

Mar 282009

Sephia

  • miles
On March 28, 2009, my daughter was a passenger in a 2001 Kia Sephia that lost control in the rain doing about 50 mph, went down an embankment & ravine on its side, started to overturn, when it slammed into a tree. The roof on this car then collapsed onto my daughters head causing such severe head trauma and swelling in her brain, along with many many other injuries that she did not survive the crash. Why did this happen? the airbags did not deploy! ! ! how many different areas of the car need to be hit before the airbags deploy! she was wearing her seatbelt. If the airbags had deployed like they should have, she would probably be with me today. She was only 21 years old and had everything to live for. This *#>*^$ car killed my only daughter! ! ! how many deaths have to happen before Kia gets the message and does something to prevent it. These cars do not need to be in the U.S.a. Kia has been getting reports since 2001 that the airbags on this car fail to deploy. They are guilty of criminal negligence! ! help!

- Wildwood, MO, USA

problem #13

Jan 182002

Sephia

  • Manual transmission
  • miles

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

I was involved in a head on accident at 30 mph, the airbag did not deploy and I was injured.

- East Wenatchee, WA, USA

problem #12

Dec 162001

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
The Sephia was hit at an angle on the right front corner at about 30 miles per hour. The airbags deloyed and the passenger side airbag and wiring immedeatly caught on fire. The cabin filled with dust from the bags and smoke. The power windows did not work at that point. The driver could not see the door handle. Someone opened the door to let her out. A passenger had recently exited the car or the accident could have been much worse. The driver side airbag delpoyed and went down so fast that the drivers head was jerked back and let drop so that it did not reduce the whiplash signifacantly.

- Gainesville, FL, USA

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problem #11

Oct 162003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles
Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Two passengers sustained head injuries. Vehicle was a total loss.

- Cleves, OH, USA

problem #10

Oct 012003

(reported on)

Sephia

  • miles

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

Consumer stated as a result of a head on crash air bags did not deploy.

- Hyde Park, NY, USA

problem #9

May 302003

Sephia 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 65 miles
While going 65 on the freeway I lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle slammed into the center divider. The vehicle hit the divider from the front ending up on its side. Vehicle is totaled and air bags failed to deploy. Obviously this isn't the first time the air bags on this vehicle have failed to deploy sometimes causing severe injuries. A complaint will be filed with the dealership and the manufacturer.

- Oceanside, CA, USA

problem #8

Aug 152002

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving 5-10 mph vehicle was hit in front end by another vehicle going about 35 mph. Upon impact, neither airbag deployed. No injuries, damage to vehicle unknown at this time.

- Bushnell, FL, USA

problem #7

Aug 042002

Sephia

  • miles
While driving 60mph a large objec fell off the back of a truck and hit front of car, and air bags did not deploy.

- Castroville, TX, USA

problem #6

Jan 152002

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Consumers vehicle was hit on the left front by another motorist that was traveling between 45 and 50 mph, neither the driver or passenger air bag experienced deployment, causing injuries to both people.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #5

Dec 132001

Sephia

  • miles
After the accident occurred insurance failed to notice the steering wheel had been cracked, I have had the car at a body shop and there is some type of confusion with getting a new steering wheel from Kia. We are not certain of the exact estimate to this day, nor do we know when we will be getting our car repaired. Because of the airbags failure to deploy injuries did occur which may have been prevented had they deployed. The crash was at 35 mph and was a direct frontal impact. We called the dealership and at their request have given police report and injury reports. The person we are dealing with is amy jones. Today we called her and she said the situation was not life threatening thus the airbags did not deploy. We believe that they should have deployed. Futhermore it appears that the failure is considered normal by Kia according to our conversation thus far. The represenative also claims that they did not have a chance to look at the car because we did not report it in time. Well the car is still sitting in the shop over two months later in god knows what condition and they still have not went out to see it. So it appears to us we have no choice accept to take measures to prevent this from happening to someone else or us again. We are writing and requesting a full investigation as to why the airbags did not deploy." Why the shop is not recieving a steering wheel from Kia? personally we do not think the car is safe and request a inspection and investigation as to why all this is happening? why are we being put off " we do not or will we ever feel safe about driving this car again.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #4

Dec 132001

Sephia

  • miles
After the accident occurred insurance failed to notice the steering wheel had been cracked, I have had the car at a body shop and there is some type of confusion with getting a new steering wheel from Kia. We are not certain of the exact estimate to this day, nor do we know when we will be getting our car repaired. Because of the airbags failure to deploy injuries did occur which may have been prevented had they deployed. The crash was at 35 mph and was a direct frontal impact. We called the dealership and at their request have given police report and injury reports. The person we are dealing with is amy jones. Today we called her and she said the situation was not life threatening thus the airbags did not deploy. We believe that they should have deployed. Futhermore it appears that the failure is considered normal by Kia according to our conversation thus far. The represenative also claims that they did not have a chance to look at the car because we did not report it in time. Well the car is still sitting in the shop over two months later in god knows what condition and they still have not went out to see it. So it appears to us we have no choice accept to take measures to prevent this from happening to someone else or us again. We are writing and requesting a full investigation as to why the airbags did not deploy." Why the shop is not recieving a steering wheel from Kia? personally we do not think the car is safe and request a inspection and investigation as to why all this is happening? why are we being put off " we do not or will we ever feel safe about driving this car again.

- Pace, FL, USA

problem #3

Jun 122001

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While waiting at stop light another vehicle rearended vehicle. Upon impact, front seatbacks collapsed backwards into the rear. Then, vehicle was pushed into a ditch, and air bags failed to deploy. Passenger suffered broken back and leg. Driver suffered severe back sprain. Vehicle was totaled.

- Newport, WA, USA

problem #2

Feb 212001

Sephia

  • miles
Vehicle was involved in a frontal collision of 30-35 mph, and both air bags did not deploy. Dealer / manufacturer notified. Please feel free to provide any further details on this matter.

- Raynesboro, VA, USA

problem #1

Feb 012001

Sephia

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When attempting to make an emergency stop in traffic that came to a sudden holt, anti-lock brakes did not respond. Pedal was applied, and vehicle just began sliding, hitting another vehicle in rear. Air bags did not deploy, and seat belts did not restrain. Kia has been contacted.

- Lake Park, FL, USA

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