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Electrical system

1997 Kia Sephia Electrical problems

Owners have filed 29 complaints about the 1997 Kia Sephia's electrical system with NHTSA - 14% of all its complaints, most recently on September 29, 2005. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
29
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
0
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical system

Dt: 1997 kia sephia, the dashboard is lifting. When the consumer entered the vehicle she smelled something burning. Upon inspecting the dash she noticed the driver's side dash was burned. When the consumer cleaned the dash the cleaning cloth smelled burned and there was a brown residue on the cloth. The vehicle has not been taken to the dealer because it is out of warranty and the consumer cannot afford to have it fixed. *Ak *jb *nm

Filed Incident Electrical system · Unknown or otherNHTSA 10134181
Electrical system

I have a 1997 kia sephia rs and I have replaced the alternator belt 11 times and 4 of those have been in the last 3 months. I am unable to get any answers about why the belt keeps breaking from any repair shop, other than it must be a sizing defect by kia. This last belt was replaced 6/05 and broke off again 8/17/05. I can only seem to get about 1-3 month use from a belt. I checked with the previous owner of the car, which I knew and she indicates that she had the same problems. I now have spoken to another kia sephia rs owner same year and they got rid of theirs for that very reason.*Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10133282
Electrical system

The engine wire harness malfunctioned, which caused the engine to stall. *Jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10011893
Electrical system

Dash has large brown burn spot on drivers side. This spot started as just a small spot and has over 6 months time continued to grow larger and larger. Now the entire dash is starting to lift up and curl up away from the windshield and the instrument control panel.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10005638
Electrical system

The vehicles dashboard seems to be breaking away from the windshield. Consumer is concerned the airbag may deploy unexpectedly. Please provide any further information.Ts

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10004464
Engine & coolingElectrical systemBody, doors & structure

Is leaking causing electrical lights damage, the hazards or signals aren't working and the truck smells like mildew. Ts

Filed Engine and engine cooling · Electrical system · StructureNHTSA 9006758
Electrical system

Vehicle would not start intermittently, vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 8005037
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Car still does not start right a way/engine lgts still on/rgt sig does not wrk/cars a lemon/fuse blows evertime I turn on rgt signal. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 746123
Electrical systemVisibility & wipersAirbags

Dashboard has come apart. Also, seals around airbag on passenger's side has lifted up, exposing parts underneath. Heater vent on dash has cracked, causing heater to become inoperative.*Ak

Filed Electrical system · Visibility · Air bagsNHTSA 883629
Electrical system

When driving vehicle would stall for no reason. Have taken vehicle to dealership at least 6 different times for repairs. Mechanic could not locate cause of problem.*Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 878242
Electrical system

While driving about 15 mph ngine will die without a prior warning. Problem just like recall for engine stalling .*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 877964
BrakesEngine & coolingElectrical system

Since consumer owned car brakes had to be changed five times. 3 Batteries had to be put in. Engine light came on on instrument panel, anti-freeze is leaking and the engine is running rough. *Ak *slc

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 875454
Electrical system

Cost me $450 to stop kia from idleing high and sputtering. Took many trips to dealer before they could locate probelm. We are very upset at the service that is provided at all kia dealers. The "dont care" attitude is very apparent. Something should be done about the saftey problems with the kia.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 731893
BrakesElectrical system

I have only had this car for 1 month. It had been in the shop 3 times. It has never been fixed to my satisfaction. The battery died the day after I brought it home. The brakes had to be completely replaced. That cost ~$200. I have a small infant and bought this car for safety (dual airbags) the dealer won't buy the car back and the service department can't seem to fix the car. Help!!!

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical systemNHTSA 731610
SuspensionBrakesTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemLightsVisibility & wipersEquipment & accessories

While driving differential went out/ digital laser failed to work on cd panel/ power window electrical switch stopped working, and engine check light came on & did not go off. Dashboard covering was separating from window. There was water in the headlights, and battery would go dead. Took vehicle to dealer. Vehicle needed alignment due to problem with transmission & the brake assembly needed replacing due to excessive wear.*Ak

Filed Suspension · Service brakes, hydraulic · Power train · Electrical system · Exterior lighting · Visibility · Equipment · Unknown or otherNHTSA 868570
Electrical system

Dashboard started to fold and bend out of shape. Dashboard is separating from around the instrument panel. Also turned the color brown on top of the dashboard *ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 726260
SuspensionEngine & coolingFuel systemTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemVisibility & wipersEquipment & accessories

Ongoing problem with battery failure; dealer notified, and replaced faulty battery on two occasions, and problem reoccurred. Also, and problem engine hesitation. Dealer notified. *Ak the consumer found out right after leasing the vehicle, that the radio was inoperable. The vehicle began squeeking in the rear end when turning. The heater malfunctioned. The left rear strut assembly failed causing knocking noise at right rear. The o-ring failed causeing the distributor leak and there was loss of power while driving. *Yh

Filed Incident Suspension · Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Power train · Electrical system · Visibility · EquipmentNHTSA 863221
Electrical systemWheels & tires

While stopping at a red light saw/smelled smoke. After investigating where it was coming from, consumer raised the hood and found smoke coming from the conjuction box. Tires had to be replaced after 27,667 miles. *Ak *ml

Filed Incident Electrical system · TiresNHTSA 861357
BrakesElectrical system

I started having brake failure and grinding from the rear after 5 days of purchasing the car.I was coming up to a stop sign and the car would not stop after applying the brakes.When backing up or coming to a stop I had a grinding sound and sounded like a liquid was splashing around at the same time.I took the car back to southlake kia and told the service rep about the problems.Before that I was checking the spark plugs and when they were pulled out one by one they were burned out and the air filter was almost as...

Read the full complaint

black as tar.I told the service rep about plugs and air filter.The spark plugs was changed but I was told that the filter was not going to be replaced.I talked to darryl harris/sealer/and he had to talk to his boss in order to get the filter replaced.Darryl's boss told me that air filters was not going to be replaced,so I spoke with darryl again and he finally got them to change the air filter as well.After telling darryl why I was back so soon he called where the cars are taken to be serviced and was told that the car had never been serviced,and that's when the air filter was replaced.After explaining about my brakes and advising the service department that it was my back brakes that failing the most I was told by tom and the mechanic/i believe his name is george,i not really sure/that cars do not have back brakes.I was told by tom in so many words that a car does not have to be serviced and that a car can be sold even if it is know that it has brake or any other type of problems.I spoke with tony at 800 333 4542 ext 35014 who said that he would get someone from dps who could authorize the repairs.To date I still have not heard from anyone who can assist me with my problems.On 7/26/99 tom had the mechanic to replace front pads and rotors with updated pars,cleaned and adjusted rear barkes.The front pads had uneven wear as well.After the repairs tom told me that he had the front and back brakes replaced and replaced the pads. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical systemNHTSA 721421
Electrical system

Engine stalling constantly, several repair attempts, however final repair of the engine wiring harness corrected problems. *Mjs

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 550376
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The check engine light came on and I had transaxle problems getting the car in gear . I also had problems getting keys from ignition switch part took two weeks and was relaced at dealership

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 713906
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

The brakes and rotors were excessively worn outand replaced twice. Tansmission faild causing, loud knocking noise and new transmission was replaced. Left axle failed and replaced. The battery went out. The vehicle failed to start.*Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 847270
Electrical systemFire

Vehicle stalled and died due to faulty wiring--fire resulted. The dealer has replaced the wiring system. Manufacturer has been notified. *Ak *ml

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 841600
BrakesTransmission & drivetrainElectrical system

Intermittently the vehicle would not start. Also, dealer has replaced transmission and brake system. The manufacturer has been notified. *Ak

Filed Service brakes, hydraulic · Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 837690
Transmission & drivetrainElectrical system

On march 18 1999 my car would not start up instantly I had to try a few times to start my car and after three tries it finally started I took it to the dealership and thats when I found out I needed a new starter, flywheel,fuel trim malfunction, new dtc groung improvements procedures.

Filed Incident Power train · Electrical systemNHTSA 704634

Kia Sephia electrical complaints by year

Sephia electrical problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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