Owner-reported complaints naming the exterior lighting system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Exterior lighting reportsComplaints 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.
26
Latest Nov 4, 2003
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 491 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
1
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2
What this page shows
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 1998 Kia Sephia submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 26 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming exterior lighting
The 25 most recent of 26, in the owner's own words
I BOUGHT A 1998 KIA SEPHIA IN FEB OF 2000 I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE 3 GEAR SHIFTERS AND THREE TRANSMISSIONS AND THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN DRIVEN 2/3 OF THE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. MY SIGNAL LIGHT ON ONE SIDE HAS NEVER REALLY WORKED PROPERLY AND THE THE HEADLIGHT CONSTANTLY SHORTS OUT. OF COURSE NOW I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND STILL EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS AND MANY MORE I DONT KNOW WHERE ELSE TO TURN BECAUSE ALL I'M EVER TOLD IS THAT'S A KIA FOR YOU. I STILL HAVE A LOAN OF THIS CAR AND DONT THINK IT'S RIGHT THAT ALMOST EVERY YEAR THE GEAR SHIFTER AND TRANS NEED TO BE REPLACED. I WOULD GREAT APPRECIATE ANY HELP YOU CAN GIVE ME BECAUSE I HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS BECAUSE THE GEAR SHIFTER WONT COME OUT OF PARK AND WHEN IT DID THE TRANS RACED WHEN REACHING 2 GEAR. THERE IS NO WAY ANYONE SHOULD EXPERIENCE THIS MUCH TROUBLE WHETHER BEING A USED CAR OR NOT. PLEASE HELP ME. *AK
NHTSA ID
10045388
Incident
Nov 4, 2003
Mileage
42,000 mi
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 8, 2002
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING THERE IS WATER INSIDE OF THE HEADLIGHT COMPARTMENT CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER FAIRS. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
NHTSA ID
8022499
Incident
Oct 19, 2002
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 16, 2002
CONSUMER STATES RECIEVED RECALL LETTER, CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS FOR RECALL WERE NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER STATES ITS BEEN A MONTH AND PARTS ARE STILL NOT AVAILABLE. CONSUMER FEELS UNSAFE DRIVING UNDER THESE CONDITIONS. MR
NHTSA ID
8020931
Incident
Oct 1, 2002
BrakesDriver assistanceEngine+5 more
Filed Aug 9, 2001
THE LEFT REAR TAIL LIGHT IS OUT, DEALER REPLACED BULB. *YH
NHTSA ID
562464
BrakesElectricalEngine+3 more
Filed Aug 9, 2001
CONSUMER STATES HE IS EXPERIENCING MUFFLER PROBLEMS. *YH
NHTSA ID
562457
Body & structureBrakesElectrical+5 more
Filed Aug 7, 2001
THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, THE DEALER PERFORMED 4 WHELL ALIGMNENT AND ROTATED THE TIRES. NLM
NHTSA ID
562408
Incident
Dec 8, 1998
Body & structureBrakesEngine+3 more
Filed Dec 7, 2000
SIGNAL LIGHTS FAIL TO WORK PROPERLY WHEN IN USE DURING COLD WEATHER FOR 15 MINUTES OR SO. SOMETIMES THIS HAPPENS WHEN IT'S RAINING. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZARD SWITCH AND THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY FAILURES SINCE. SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. BRAKES AND ROTORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES. WINDSHIELD WIPERS FAILED PRIOR TO RECALL. HEAD GASKET REPLACED AT 3500 MILES. MOLDING ON THE DOORS FELL OFF AND WAS REPLACED. TAILPIPE WAS REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE EXHAUST FUMES. *SLC
NHTSA ID
876173
Incident
Aug 25, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed Nov 20, 2000
INTERMITTENTLY TURN SIGNALS BECOME INOPERABLE. DEALER HAS REPAIRED VEHICLE; HOWEVER,PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. *AK
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+5 more
Filed Aug 10, 2000
THE ENGINE IS NOT STARTING, BATTERY REPLACED AND OTHER REPAIRS COMPLETED HOWEVER THE ENGINE IS STILL NOT STARTING. *MJS
NHTSA ID
784789
BrakesExterior lightingTransmission
Filed Apr 30, 2000
I WOULD NEVER BUY A KIA AGAIN. THIS CAR HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE. THE TRANSMISSION PREMATURELY WENT OUT WITH NO WARNING. HAD TO BE COMPLETLY REPLACED. BOTH FRONT HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES MELTED DUE TO REASONS STILL UNKNOWN. THE BRAKES WORN PREMATURELY. NOT TO MENTION ALL OF THE OTHER HASSLES I'VE HAD WITH THIS CAR. SOMETIMES I WISH SOMEONE WOULD JUST TAKE IT, I HATE IT SO MUCH!
NHTSA ID
722106
Incident
Mar 24, 2000
Fuel systemExterior lighting
Filed Feb 9, 2000
NHTSA RECALL 99V318000 AND MANUFACTURER'S RECALL 99V318000 CONCERNING FUEL PUMP FAILURE. DEALERSHIP HAS THE PARTS, BUT ONLY HAS 1 MECHANIC THAT WORKS ON THIS TYPE OF CAR. THEY SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT FOR 02-182-00 FOR THE BACKUP LIGHTS, BUT NOT FOR ENGINE STALLING. CONSUMER WILL TRY TO GET RECALL REPAIRS FOR THE FUEL PUMP DONE ON THE DAY OF THE APPOINTMENT. *AK
NHTSA ID
856572
Exterior lighting
Filed Jan 5, 2000
WHILE DRIVING HEADLIGHTS MALFUNCTIONED DUE TO A A DEFECT IN THE RELAY SWITCH. *AK
NHTSA ID
853411
Incident
Sep 21, 1999
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 27, 1999
VEHICLE EXPERIENCING ONGOING PROBLEM WITH TURN SIGNAL FAILING TO OPERATE WHENEVER A/C OR HEATER ARE BEING USED.S TURN SIGNAL STOP OPERATING IF EITHER SYSTEM IS ON. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND PROBLEM UNABLE TO BE CORRECTED AT THIS TIME. *AK
NHTSA ID
854429
Incident
May 1, 1999
BrakesExterior lightingTransmission
Filed Dec 21, 1999
WHEN THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN REVERSE, IT WOULD POP OUT OF GEAR INTO NEUTRAL. THEN VEHICLE WOULD STOP. ALSO, ABS BRAKES WERE REPLACED TWICE DUE TO EXCESSIVE WEAR TO DRUMS. HEADLIGHTS WOULD HAVE CONDENSATION, AND DASHBOARD WAS REPLACED DUE TO CRACKS. VEHICLE NOW ON THIRD TRANSMISSION AND IT STILL SLIPS OUT OF REVERSE WHEN BACKING UP. *AK
NHTSA ID
854259
Exterior lighting
Filed Dec 3, 1999
TURN SIGNALS ONLY WORK INTERMITTENTLY. NLM
NHTSA ID
549919
Exterior lighting
Filed Oct 21, 1999
WHEN THE HIGH BEAMS ARE ON THE HEADLIGHTS BECOME INOPERABLE, CAUSE UNKNOWN. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
NHTSA ID
851397
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 13, 1999
POSSIBLE ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO BE ILLUMINATED. NLM
NHTSA ID
549024
Incident
Jun 12, 1998
BrakesEngineExterior lighting
Filed Oct 13, 1999
BRAKES VIBRATE. NLM
NHTSA ID
549016
Incident
Nov 13, 1998
BrakesHeating & air conditioningFuel system+1 more
Filed Sep 7, 1999
AIR CONDITIONER FAILURE MAKING NOISES.*ET
NHTSA ID
782965
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 27, 1999
THE DOOR SEALS FAILED ALLOWING FUMES TO ENTER THE CAR. NLM
NHTSA ID
782573
Body & structureBrakesExterior lighting
Filed Jul 27, 1999
FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND DISK BRAKE PADS FAILED. NLM
NHTSA ID
782572
Incident
Apr 2, 1999
Fuel systemExterior lighting
Filed May 24, 1999
WHENEVER FUEL IS PUMPED INTO TANK, IT WOULD SPILL BACK OUT. VEHICLE CANNOT BE COMPLETELY FILLED. HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALER & ENTIRE FUEL TANK SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. ALSO ENGINE CHECK LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON/TURN SIGNALS WOULD NOT SHOW, AND HEADLIGHTS WOULD GET MOISTURE INSIDE OF LENS. *AK
NHTSA ID
838337
Incident
Aug 9, 1998
Exterior lighting
Filed May 13, 1999
I WILL BE TAKING MY CAR IN FOR THE 5TH TIME ON TUESDAY. THE SAME PROBLEM WITH TURN SIGNAL.
NHTSA ID
782353
Incident
Mar 1, 1999
BrakesFuel systemExterior lighting+1 more
Filed Feb 1, 1999
BOTH HEAD LAMP SEALS FAILED, SO WHEN IT RAINS OR THE CAR IS WASHED THE HEADLIGHTS FOG UP SEVERLY CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY.
NHTSA ID
543621
Incident
Sep 25, 1998
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own