1999 Kia Sephia Electrical Problems

THIS CAR HAS BEEN A CONSTANT REPAIR AND FINANCIAL PROBLEM FOR THE LAST 4 YEARS STARTING TWO WEEKS AFTER I PURCHASED THE CAR. IT IS AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND CAN NOT BE KEPT MAINTAINED FOR SAFETY OR RELIABILITY IT WAS PURCHASED WITH 21000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND A MAJORITY OF REPAIRS HAS HAD TO BE FIXED. 4 STARTERS, IGNITION SWITCH, IGNITION SWITCH WIRING HARNESS (IGNITION STILL DOESN'T WORK), AIR BAG SENSOR, AIR BAG WIRING (AIR BAGS STILL DOES NOT WORK), ALTERNATOR, FRONT PASSENGER SIDE DRIVE AXEL BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, RIGHT PASSENGER BALL JOINT FELL OFF THE CAR WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, MASTER CYLINDER AND REAR BRAKE CYLINDER WENT OUT AT THE SAME TIME WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING MOTOR. THE CAR HAS BEEN TOWED 3 TIMES, AND HAS LEFT ME AND MY CHILDREN STRANDED TOO MANY TIMES TO COUNT. THE CAR IS STILL IN NEED OF MAJOR REPAIR. THE DRIVER REAR STABILIZER BUSHINGS NEED REPLACED, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DRIVE AXEL NEEDS REPLACED, THE AIR BAGS STILL DO NOT WORK, THE IGNITION SWITCH STILL GETS STUCK AND WON'T TURN OVER, AND TWO WEEKS AGO A PISTON WAS THROWN THROUGH THE ENGINE AND CAUGHT THE CAR ON FIRE. THE CAR IS NOW PARKED IN MY DRIVE WAY LEAVING ME STUCK WITH A CAR PAYMENT AND A CAR THAT IS NOT WORTH FIXING. *NM

NHTSA ID

10147054

Incident

Dec 9, 2005

Mileage

21,200 mi

OVER A PERIOD OF TIME, APPROXIMATELY 70,00 MILES ON MY CAR, THE AC/HEATER FAN MOTOR WILL BLOW AIR INTERMITTENTLY, REGARDLESS OF THE FAN'S SPEED SETTING. EVENTUALLY, THE FAN STOPS BLOWING ALL TOGETHER. THIS SAME PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED ON MY 1998 KIA SEPHIA AS WELL. *JB

NHTSA ID

10135238

Incident

Sep 1, 2005

Mileage

70,000 mi

I AM UNABLE TO START MY CAR IN COLD WEATHER. ANYTIME IT GETS BELOW 30 DEGREES, THE CAR WILL CRANK AND NOT TURN OVER. I TRIED REPLACING THE BATTERY. THAT DID NOT WORK. THE CAR OTHERWISE STARTS IN WARMER WEATHER. THIS IS UNREASONABLE. I CAN'T BE STUCK IN THE WINTERTIME WITH THIS VEHICLE. I'VE HEARD THERE ARE OTHERS WHO HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MAYBE YOU SHOULD LOOK INTO THIS AND MAYBE PROCESS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ID

10109855

Incident

Jan 24, 2005

THE CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD REPEATEDLY. BATTERY LEAKED. BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED FOR THE ENTIRE CAR AT 60,000 MILES. THE VENTS ON THE DASHBOARD HAVE POPPED UP AND BROKEN. NOW THE DEFROSTER DOES NOT BLOW THE AIR ON THE WINDSHIELD. THIS VEHICLE WAS STORED IN A GARAGE. THE SEAMS ON THE SEAT COME UNDONE. THE CIGARETTE LIGHTER BROKE AND FLOPS IN THE DASH. THE SWITCH TO OVERRIDE THE TRANSMISSION LOCK IS BROKEN. THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BROKE WHEN REPLACING THE STRUTS WHICH YOU HAVE TO REMOVE THE BACK DASH TO GET TO. THE BOARD THAT IS UNDER THE CARPET IN THE TRUNK WARPED. THE CARPETS CAME UP FROM THE SIDES OF THE CAR. THE STORAGE BIN IN THE CENTER CONSOLE BROKE, TWICE. THE WIND SHIELD CHIPS AND ERRODES WHEN IN A CAR WASH. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A WINDSHIELD IN THIS BAD SHAPE BEFORE. THE BACK SEAT DOES NOT STAY DOWN. THE HEADLIGHTS HAVE A BAD SEAL AND THERE IS WATER NOW IN THEM. THE RUBBER AROUND THE DOORS COMES OUT REPEATEDLY. GEAR SHIFTER IS CONTINUALLY STUCK. BRAKES TAKE TWICE AS LONG TO STOP MY CAR AS ANY OTHER VEHICLE I HAVE EVER DRIVEN. I HAVE TO DRIVE 2 & 1/2 HOURS TO GET REPAIRS. THE GAS MILAGE IS CLOSER TO 24 MPG THEN THE 35 THAT WAS MARKED ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. THERE ARE NOISES FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT THAT ARE LOUD AND UNPLEASANT. THERE IS A GROUND FAULT WIRE THAT IS BAD THEY WANT $75 AN HOUR MINIMUM OF 10 HOURS TO REPAIR IT. THE FUSE PANEL COVER BROKE. THE HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ALLIGNED. *AK

NHTSA ID

10093527

Incident

Oct 2, 2004

Mileage

15,000 mi

WHILE IN THE STREET VEHICLE WAS IN PARK AND THE KEY WAS TAKEN OUT OF THE IGNITION SWITCH. THEN, VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE UNDER THE STEERING WHEEL. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED. FLOOR MANAGER INDICATED TO THE CONSUMER THERE WAS NOTHING WE COULD DO. *AK

NHTSA ID

10080194

Incident

Jun 30, 2004

CONSUMER HAD TO HAVE THE MOTOR REBUILT. *PH THE ENGINE WAS REBUILT BECAUSE THE ENGINE KEPT OVERHEATING. NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BUT THE CONSUMER CANNOT AFFORD TO REPAIR IT. THE STARTER WAS ALSO REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID

10071557

Incident

Mar 1, 2004

THE VEHICLE HAD NUMEROUS RECALLS AND PROBLEMS. WHEN THE CONSUMER PUT FUEL IN THE VEHICLE IT LEAKED OUT. WHEN IT DID HIT SHE HAD TO PLAY AROUND WITH IT, UNTIL THE NOZZLE WAS IN THE TANK JUST RIGHT, THEN IT WOULD TAKE THE FUEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, AND ROTORS WEARING OUT TOO QUICKLY AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING BRAKE FLUID. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE REPAIR SHOP AT LEAST 10 TIMES AND NEEDED TO BE RETURNED TO THE REPAIR SHOP. *AK THE FUEL TANK PROBLEM HAD BEEN WORKED ON FOUR TIMES AND STILL WAS NOT FIXED. THERE WERE GEAR SHIFT PROBLEMS WHERE THE SHIFTER WOULD STICK, MULTIPLE WIRING CONSOLE LIGHT PROBLEMS, THE WIPER BLADE LINKS WERE DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED THE BLADE TO COME APART. *SCC *JB REFERENCED IN RQ03-006

NHTSA ID

10024509

Incident

Jun 19, 2003

KIA SEPHIA, BOUGHT APRIL 1999 NEW. REPLACED BATTERY WITHIN FIRST YEAR, TURN RADIO UP IT GOES DOWN AND THE OTHER WAY. INTERMITTENTLY, SPEEDOMETER UNSTEADY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF FREQUENTLY. OD OFF LIGHT FLASHES OCCASIONALLY. DOME LIGHT COMES ON BY ITSELF WHEN IN DOOR MODE. DASHBOARD INDICATOR ALSO COMES ON AT THIS TIME. *JB

NHTSA ID

10018880

Incident

Apr 19, 1999

Mileage

5,000 mi

CONSUMER STATES THERE HAVE BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE SINCE THE FIRST YEAR OF PURCHASE. VEHICLE NEEDS A THIRD TRANSMISSION, THE LAST INCIDENT CONSUMER COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO GO IN REVERSE, CAUSING SOMEONE TO REAREND HER. *SCC

NHTSA ID

567639

THIS CAR HAS SO MANY PROBLEMS THEY CANT ALL BE LISTED.THE BATTERY MELTED,THE TIRES WONT STAY INFLATED PROPERLY, THE A/C BROKE,THE CRUISE CONTROL BROKE, JUST TO NAME A FEW. THE CAR SHAKES IF YOU GO OVER 60 AND THE DEALER CHARGED ME TO ALIGN THE FRONT END,TOLD ME IT NEEDED TO BE DONE EVERY 6 MONTHS.ALSO SAID I SHOULD HAVE KNOWN THE BATTERY WOULD MELT,ITS KOREAN.*AK

NHTSA ID

762823

BATTERY IS CONSTANTLY BEING DRAINED, HAS BEEN REPLACED 5 TIMES SINCE PURCHASE. DEALER STATED IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. *AK

NHTSA ID

8008867

Incident

Jul 15, 1999

CONSUMER STATES WHEN ACCELERATING THE VEHICLE SPEED DECREASES INSTEAD OF INCREASING. REPLACED PARTS 4 TIMES. PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. NLMVEHICLE HAS BEEN REPAIRED FOR WIRING HARNESS AND SENSOR FAILURE, THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS BURNT AND IT IS LEAKING FLUID AT THE SHIFT SHAFT (CONSUMER WAS ADVISED TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION), THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES DUE TO THE HOLD UNIT NOT BEING APPLIED. *JG

NHTSA ID

8008117

Incident

Apr 16, 2001

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

NHTSA ID

760489

Incident

Mar 18, 2002

WIRING UNDER HOOD GOT SO HOT THAT IT MELTED ALL OF WIRING UNDER THE HOOD AND TAIL LIGHT. CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE MAIN HARNESS. IT ALSO MELTED COMPUTER IN THE CAR.*AK

NHTSA ID

8006938

Incident

Mar 22, 2002

SINCE WE BOUGHT THE CAR WE HAD A RECALL ON JANUARY OF 2000 FOR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.AFTER THAT WE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ENGINE LIGHT GOING ON THAT WAS DUE TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS,WISH IN FACT HAD TO BE REPAIR TWICE AND REPLACE ONCE.ALSO AIR BAG LIGHT TURN ON DUE TO ALTERNATOR PROBLEM ON 02/05/2002,ALTERNATOR HAD TO BE REPLACE.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF THE MATTER OF FACT THE CAR SHOULB BE UNDER THE LEMON LAW.THANK YOU. *AK

NHTSA ID

758552

Incident

Jan 15, 2002

AFTER I T-BONED A JEEP, I GOT OUT OF MY CAR AND THEN MY CAR CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD AND QUICKLY WENT UP AND FLAMES.*AK

NHTSA ID

757667

Incident

Jan 20, 2002

INSURED STATED THAT THEY RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE REGARDING A WIRING PROBLEM, THE WORK WAS PERFORMED AT THE DEALERSHIP, POSSIBLE FIRE. CLAIM NUMBER 11-3544-661. *YH

NHTSA ID

6900913

Incident

Oct 24, 2000

VEHILCE CAUGHT ON FIRE, THE INVESTIGATOR THINKS IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. CLAIM NUMBER 59-V593-419. *YH

NHTSA ID

6900911

Incident

Oct 9, 2000

INSURED STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE BETWEEN A BATTERY CABLE AND THE TRANSMISSION FILLER TUBE. CLAIM NUMBER 25-5462-211. *YH

NHTSA ID

6900908

Incident

Nov 29, 2000

WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, AN ELECTRICAL FIRE STARTED IN STEERING COLUMN AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE HOOD. CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF BY TURNING THE KEY IN THE IGNITION. INSURANCE COMPANY IS IN POSSESSION OF VEHICLE, BUT HAS NOT INFORMED CONSUMER AS TO WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE TO OCCUR.*AK CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO TURN ENGINE OFF, BUT WAS ABLE TO JUMP OUT OF VEHICLE WHILE MOVING, THREE RECALLS WERE PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE AND CONSUMER BELIEVES THAT RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PERFORMED PRIOR TO PURCHASE, CONSUMER ALSO COMPLAINS THAT THE VEHICLE IS NOISY, EXHIBITS HARD START CONDITION, SLUGGISH ACCELERATION, AND INOPERATIVE FUEL GAUGE. *TT

NHTSA ID

8001937

Incident

Dec 15, 2001

VEHICLE WILL AT TIMES START UP IN THE MORNING, AND AT OTHER TIMES WILL NOT START. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER WAS NOT WILLING TO DO ANYTHING.*AK

NHTSA ID

898882

Incident

Nov 1, 2001

VEHICLE STALLS, DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY, FUSE BOX, AND THE FUEL PUMP, VEHICLE WOULD NOT START, DEALER REPLACED THE FUSE BOX, STALLING COULD POSSIBLY BE DUE TO FAULTY ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. *SLC

NHTSA ID

563703

Incident

Mar 24, 2001

I HAVE ALREADY CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER IN SEVERAL OCASIONS. FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THE BBB AUTO LINE, BUT CASE WAS CLOSED BECAUSE CAR IS NOT A LEMON. THE DEALERS HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEMS OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE IGNITION. KIA HAD SAID THAT THEY WERE WORKING ON A "GOOD FAITH OFFER" BUT AFTER THE BBB CLOSED THE CASE, DID NOT HEAR FROM THEM ANYMORE. I DO NOT WISH TO KEEP THE CAR. KIA HAS NOT HONORED THE WARRANTY PROMISE; THEREFORE THEY ARE IN DEFAULT OF THE WARRANTY. KIA DEALERS WON'T CHECK THE CAR IF COMPUTER DOES NOT PROMPT A CODE. THE LAST TIME I DROPPED THE CAR AT THE DEALER, LEFT IT FOR OVER 5 DAYS FOR THEM TO INSPECT AND NOTIFIED KIA OF THIS ACTION, BUT THEY COULD NOT FIND THE INTERMITTENT PROBLEMS. MONTHLY PAYMENT ON CAR IS $422.52. CAN'T AFFORD A DEFECTIVE VEHICLE, BESIDES OF PAYING FOR TOW TRUCKS AND MISSING FROM WORK DUE TO CAR FAILURES. TRANSMISSION HAVE BROKEN TWICE. EVERY TIME THEY FIX IT, IT DOES NOT WORK FOR LONG. THIS CAR IS NO LONGER RELIABLE AND I DO NOT WISH TO WASTE MY TIME AT DEALERS. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPAIR THE PROBLEMS. I AM DESPERATE FOR A SOLUTION. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR ADVISE BEFORE A PROCEDE LEGALLY.*AK

NHTSA ID

752802

Incident

Aug 28, 2001

THE CONSUMER HAS BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT ENGINE NOISES, THE DEALER REPLACED THE FLYWHEEL BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO RUN POORLY. NLM

NHTSA ID

563261

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.*AK

NHTSA ID

750368