2001 Kia Sephia

107 complaints on file, page 1 of 6.

1. Filed Jul 12, 2016Failure Jul 10, 2016NEW Milford, NJElectrical system, Power window devices and controls

   HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHES. MY CELL IS [XXX] I JUST WANT A NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX THIS IN 07646 AREA CODE. I,E AN EXPERT ON POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [XXX] THIS IS SORT OF A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS I NEED A KIA SPECIALISTS HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10884375
2. Filed May 5, 2012Failure May 4, 2012136,000 milesBeckley, WVAir bagsCrash1 injured

   I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT METAL DEATHTRAP AGAIN. THIS IS MY FIRST AND ABSOLUTELY THE LAST KIA I WILL EVER BUY. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10457546
3. Filed Jul 27, 2011Failure Jul 27, 201133025, FLFuel system, Other

   CAR GIVES OFF A VERY BAD GAS ODOR. EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR, THE GAS INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD GOES DOWN AND CAR CUTS OFF ON ME WHEN IM DOING 20 MPH. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10415436
4. Filed Apr 12, 2011Failure Jan 4, 2011South Bend, INPower train

   I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK-UP PLAN IN THE MANUAL, WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT TO BEGAN WITH? IT WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO DO THIS? I THINK IT IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE MY GEAR SHIFT CABLE. LIKE I SAID, IT IS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO USE A SCREW DRIVER IF THE GEAR SHIFT FAILS. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF

   NHTSA complaint 10396329
5. Filed Jan 19, 2011Failure Sep 15, 200860,000 milesTulsa, OKFuel system, Gasoline

   TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE FUEL DAMPENER AT THE CONNECTION WITH THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

   NHTSA complaint 10377912
6. Filed Jan 3, 2011Failure Jan 2, 201190,650 milesMississauga, 00Latches/locks/linkages

   I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A COFFEE SHOP I PARKED MY CAR THERE BUT I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR, LUCKY ME I CAN OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND I GOT OUT FROM THERE. AFTER I LEFT THE COFFEE SHOP I HAD TO GET IN FROM THE SAME DOOR WHEN I GOT OUT, WHEN I GOT HOME I CAN OPEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR LOCKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER I LEFT IT FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT -6 DEGREE, I WENT ONLINE CHECKED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME TYPE OF CAR THAT I HAD , I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PRESSURED TO KIA LET THEM RECALL ALL OF THE MODEL WHICH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TO CORRECT IT! *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10373825
7. Filed Aug 27, 2010Failure Aug 1, 2006119,583 milesBainbridge, GAFrontalCrash2 injured

   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. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10352232
8. Filed Apr 30, 2010Failure Apr 22, 2010135,000 milesMorrisville, PAFrontalCrash

   DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10328228
9. Filed Apr 29, 2009Failure Mar 28, 2009Wildwood, MOFrontal, Side/window, Air bagsCrash2 injured1 killed

   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! *TR

   NHTSA complaint 10267192
10. Filed Feb 21, 2009Failure Apr 15, 200546,000 milesColumbus, GAPower window devices and controls

    IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WENT DOWN. IF I PUSHED DOWN, IT WENT UP.) SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $580.00 TO REPLACE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MASTER MECHANIC INSTRUCTOR THAT WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS CHANGED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FROM METAL TO PLASTIC PARTS, THAT THEY DON'T LAST ANYMORE. BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE $580.00 TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE A THICK PIECE OF PAPER WEDGED IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP. IN MAR 08, THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING THEN IN AUG 08, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW IS THE ONLY WINDOW THAT OPENS AND CLOSES. DRIVING AROUND TOWN, I SEE MANY VEHICLES WITH TAPE OR PIECES OF PAPER STUCK IN THEIR WINDOWS, SO I KNOW MINE ISN'T THE ONLY VEHICLE DOING THIS. BOTH OF MY SONS VEHICLES HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. I DRIVE A POLICE VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. WHEN OUR VEHICLES' WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK, (WHICH IS OFTEN), THE CITY SHOP REPAIRS THEM RIGHT AWAY. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

    NHTSA complaint 10259515
11. Filed Dec 8, 2008Failure Dec 6, 200852,984 milesMason City, IAElectrical system

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE STARTER AND TWO RELAYS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,984. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10251098
12. Filed Jan 17, 2008Failure Dec 18, 200732,000 milesAltoona, PATail lights

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS COLLECTING INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.

    NHTSA complaint 10215224
13. Filed Feb 10, 2007Failure Aug 12, 2006Livermore Falls, MEService brakes, Wheel cylinders

    IN AUGUST OF 2006 I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES. COMING TO FIND OUT MY BRAKES WERE BAD, I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND MY WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT. CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS. HAD THE CAR FIXED.. TOOK THEM 6 HOURS TO BLEED THE BRAKES. TOOK THE CAR HOME, THE NEXT MORNING WENT TO LEAVE AND HAD NO BRAKES AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO SHOP. HAD TO BLEED BRAKES AGAIN, THEN IN DECEMBER I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES. GOT THE CAR TO THE SAME SHOP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. COMING TO FIND OUT THE WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT AGAIN CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK ALL OVER MY BRAKES. THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKES . THEY WANTE TO CHARGE ME LABOR SINCE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. I REFUSED TO PAY THE LABOR. WE TOLD THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE CAR UNTIL WE CALLED THEM BACK. (I THINK THEY KNEW I WAS CALLING SOMEONE ELSE) THEY CALLED ME BACK NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER AND THEY OFFERED TO EAT THE COST OF THE LABOR. SO IT WAS FIXED FOR NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY IT STILL ACTS UP. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SINCE I READ MORE OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *JB

    NHTSA complaint 10182223
14. Filed Jan 17, 2007Failure Aug 26, 2006Graham, NCService brakes, Hydraulic

    WHEN STARTING THE CAR MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (LEVEL WITH THE CLUTCH) BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10178913
15. Filed Jun 15, 2006Failure Jun 15, 200691,268 milesWilmington, NCRadio/tape deck/cd etc.

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIO AND FOUND MELTED WIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10159959
16. Filed Nov 7, 2005Failure Jan 10, 2004Ripley, TNElectrical system, Engine

    MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. FIRST, IN JAN. OF '04 THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BLOCK. THAT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($3,800). THEN, 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1,567) AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR AND BELTS REPLACED($975). THE DEALERSHIP ALSO DOES NOT OFFER A LOANER CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT. *NM

    NHTSA complaint 10142014
17. Filed Jun 1, 2005Failure May 3, 200572,000 milesJacksonville, FLStructure

    DT: DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE, AND NOW THE OTHER SIDE WAS LOOSE. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10123732
18. Filed Apr 16, 2005Failure Nov 21, 200493,000 milesMartin, GAAutomatic transmission

    I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THEN ANOTHER DAY THE CAR DIED GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, AND THEN I GOT IT STARTED BACK UP ,AND WAS GOING HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. WHEN I GOT IT RUNNING AGAIN I TOOK IT HOME, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I BOUGHT IT AT A USED CAR DEALER AND IT ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOT QUITE 93,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS 3 TIMES.THE DYA IT QUIT RUNNING TWICE WITH ME IS DEC. 21 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. SO I JUST PARKED IT IN MY BACKYARD.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10117986
19. Filed Mar 3, 2005Failure Jan 1, 2005Ambridge, PADoor

    AT COLD TEMPERATURES DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TROUBLE OPENING AND CLOSING. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION.*AK

    NHTSA complaint 10113397
20. Filed Feb 9, 2005Failure May 2, 2002Rosamond, CAAutomatic transmission

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. *AK

    NHTSA complaint 10111223