RoadVitals

1995 Kia Sephia Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
64
Latest Apr 24, 2008
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
15
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 1995 Kia Sephia, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Brakes1417.1%
  • Seat belts1012.2%
  • Engine1012.2%
  • Airbags56.1%
  • Interior & seats56.1%
  • Electrical44.9%
  • Visibility33.7%
  • Fuel system33.7%
  • Steering33.7%
  • Suspension22.4%
  • Driver assistance22.4%
  • Powertrain (other)22.4%
  • Heating & air conditioning11.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

14
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHEN BRAKES WERE APPLIED PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE, CAUSING A COLLISION. DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES PRIOR TO THE COLLISION. *AK

NHTSA ID 853596 · filed Dec 2, 1999

BRAKES WOULD SQUEAL. HAD TROUBLE STOPPING/EAR WINDSHIELD KEEPS POPPING OUT BENT FRAME, AND TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE SHAFT IS CROOKED.CONSUMER CONTACTED DEALER. *AK

NHTSA ID 843140 · filed Jul 23, 1999
All 14 reports naming brakes

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

GEAR SHIFT LEVER CAME OFF IN CONSUMERS HAND AS SHE WAS SHIFTING FROM SECOND TO FIRST GEAR, UPON EXAMINATION OF THE LEVER, IT LITERALLY SNAPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE METAL, CONSUMER BELIEVES THE METAL USED WAS FAULTY, CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT. NLM

NHTSA ID 556170 · filed Oct 17, 2000

THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH WAS REPLACED AT 20000 MILES, THEN THE ORIGINAL TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED AT 60000 MILES. NOW AT 72500 MILES BOTH THE CLUTCH AND TRANSMISSION ARE BEING REPLACED AGAIN, AFTER A TOTAL FAILURE.

NHTSA ID 710841 · filed Sep 2, 1999
All 10 reports naming transmission

Seat belts

Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

RECALL CAMPAIGN ON SEAT BELT BUCKLE. *TS REQUESTING INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN #(02V-216) OF SEAT BELT BUCKLE ASSEMBLIES 1995-98 KIA SEPHIS AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES.

NHTSA ID 10040057 · filed Sep 8, 2003

DRIVER WAS NOT WEARING LAP PORTION OF SAFETY RESTRAINT SYSTEM. FORCES THROUGH ROLL OVER COLLISION SEQUENCE CAUSED MOUNTING BRACKET FOR PASSIVE RESTRAINT LATCH TO FAIL. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT OFFICER SEDAM, CHP MAIT, 559-444-2538, REPORT CL-026-02. *AK

NHTSA ID 759546 · filed Mar 19, 2002
All 10 reports naming seat belts

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

10
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1995 KIA SEPHIA. AFTER RECEIVING AN OIL AND FILTER CHANGE, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED 911. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE AND FILED A REPORT. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT THE FIRE ORIGINATED IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, BUT THE HEAT SOURCE WAS NOT DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 125,479. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF UPDATED 05/19/08

NHTSA ID 10225635 · filed Apr 24, 2008

RADIATOR HAS OVERHEATED AND CRACKED, CAUSING FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, DAMAGING THE ENGINE. CONSUMER HAS CONTACTED DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

NHTSA ID 870269 · filed Sep 12, 2000
All 10 reports naming engine

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

8
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

DASHBOARD IS ROLLING BACK FROM THE WINDSHIELD ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SID EOF THE CAR. UNABLE TO SECURE THE DASHBOARD.*AK

NHTSA ID 10062505 · filed Mar 18, 2004

THE DASH HAS SEVERAL DISCOLORED BROWN.. LOOKING LIKE BURNT SPOTS ON IT AND HAS COMPLETELEY COME UNGLUED NEAREAST THE WINDSHIELD. THE DEFROSTERS ARE RENDERED USELESS BY THIS. I COMPLAINED TO A KIA DEALER AND HE SAID I COULD HAVE A NEW ONE PUT ON. BUT ONLY COMPLETELY AT MY EXPENSE.*AK

NHTSA ID 10048799 · filed Nov 29, 2003
All 8 reports naming body & structure

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THEN ROLLED OVER A COUPLE TIMES, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID 865977 · filed Jul 25, 2000

DRIVER WAS INVOLVED IN 4 CAR COLLISION WHERE THERE WAS FRONTAL AND REAR IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEATBELTS UNLATCHED BY THEMSELVES, CAUSING SERIOUS INJURIES. VEHICLE IS A TOTAL LOSS. *AK

NHTSA ID 847226 · filed Sep 8, 1999

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

5
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH DOOR LATCH, DASH, INTERIOR LIGHTING AND DRIVER SEAT. *AK

NHTSA ID 715780 · filed Dec 8, 1999

THE KEY WILL NOT LOCK OR UNLOCK ON THE DRIVER'S OR PASSENGER'S SIDE DOORS. THE DEALER IS NOT AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 821996 · filed May 5, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CONSUMER DIDN'T KNOW THAT HORN NEVER WORKED WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT AFTER REALIZING IT DIDN'T WORK. DEALER REPLACED IT ONCE BEFORE. HORN STILL HAS A PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID 866628 · filed Aug 2, 2000

ELECTRICAL SHORT CAUSED WIRING HARNESS TO MELT /OVERHEAT. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR, VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT/INJURIES. ALSO, INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK

NHTSA ID 523072 · filed Jan 26, 1998

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THERE ARE BROWN SPOTS, IN AN OTHERWISE NAVY BLUE COLORED DASH, THAT APPEAR TO BE BURNED AREAS. ALSO, THE PART OF THE DASH CONNECTED CLOSEST TO THE WIND SHIELD HAS BECOME COMPLETELY UNGLUED. UPON CONTACTING THE MANUFACTURER, WE WERE TOLD THAT THEY WOULD PAY FOR THE DASH ITSELF BUT WE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE LABOR. SINCE OUR WARRANTEE HAD EXPIRED, WE THOUGHT THAT WAS PRETTY FAIR UNTIL WE WERE INFORMED WE COULD ONLY HAVE IT REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP (WHO CHARGES $80/HOUR). OUR REGULAR AUTO BODY SPECIALIST WOULD CHARGE US HALF OF THAT AMOUNT, AND THAT WOULD INCLUDE ACTUALLY PAYING FOR THE DASH. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED TO LET US TAKE THE FREE DASH OUTSIDE THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. THEN WHEN WE ASKED FOR THAT AGREEMENT IN WRITING, THEY CLAIMED THEY HAD NEVER AGREED TO ALLOW THAT. WE ASKED THEM TO REVIEW THEIR "QUALITY ASSURANCE" TAPES. WE WERE THEN TOLD THAT EVEN IF THE TAPES PROVED THE CONVERSATION OCCURED AS WE SAID, WE STILL COULD NOT TAKE THE DASH ANYWHERE OTHER THAN THE DEALERSHIP. WE DID NOT EVEN BUY THE CAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP. BY OFFERING TO GIVE US A REPLACEMENT DASH FREE OF CHARGE, THEY WERE ADMITTING THAT IT WAS A DEFECT. OF ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WE SHOWED THE DASH TO, NOT ONE PERSON HAD EVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE IT IN THEIR LIVES. WE FEEL THAT WE WERE DECEIVED BY THE MANUFACTURER.

NHTSA ID 732180 · filed Sep 21, 2000

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA ID 523635 · filed Oct 9, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Fuel system

Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES PERIODICALLY. ONCE THIS HAPPENS VEHICLE STARTS TO USE FUEL EXCESSIVELY WITH FUMES OR POSSIBLE BURNING SMELL FOR WHICH THE CAUSE IS UNKNOWN. VEHICLE SERVICED TWICE WITH NO CHANGE IN CONDITION. *AK *SLC

NHTSA ID 814180 · filed Jul 15, 1997

THERE IS RUST STARTING FOAM IN THE FILLER TUBE . PLEASE DESCRIBE . *AK

NHTSA ID 806268 · filed Dec 12, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE LOST CONTROL, AND THEN ROLLED OVER A COUPLE TIMES, AND AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK

NHTSA ID 865977 · filed Jul 25, 2000

DRIVING VEHICLE AT SPEED OF 65MPH, VEHICLE STEERED VERY HARD TO LEFT AND THEN TO RIGHT, HAD NO CONTROL OVER VEHICLE, IMPACT 1:00 POSITION , HAD NO CONTROL , IMPACT AGAIN. *AK

NHTSA ID 812714 · filed Jun 3, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Suspension

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

VEHICLE LOSS CONTROL, RESULTING IN AN ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID 519184 · filed Jul 7, 1997

WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL WHEN IN INTERMITTENT MODE WILL NOT VARY SPEED.

NHTSA ID 505291 · filed Jun 26, 1996

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WINDSHIELD WIPER CONTROL WHEN IN INTERMITTENT MODE WILL NOT VARY SPEED.

NHTSA ID 505291 · filed Jun 26, 1996

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 479830 · filed Aug 24, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Powertrain (other)

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE CV JOINTS REPLACED TWICE BY THE DEALER AND NOW THEY NEED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN, FRONT AXLE FAILED.* ET

NHTSA ID 781264 · filed Oct 15, 1998

SPEEDOMETER FAILURE. *AK

NHTSA ID 479830 · filed Aug 24, 1995

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Heating & air conditioning

Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

BRAKE ROTORS FAILED.

NHTSA ID 523635 · filed Oct 9, 1997

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .