1998 Kia Sephia Problems, complaints & recalls

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. While driving various speeds, the vehicle would shut off without warning. The contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 99v317000 (fuel system, gasoline). The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle had been serviced for the recall in 1999. The contact took the vehicle to hanson kia (2300 carriage loop sw, olympia, wa 98502, (360) 943-2120) and was informed that a diagnostic test needed to be performed to determine the cause of the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 119,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. The contact stated that when she activated the windshield wipers, the wiper scratched the windshield and did not clear the rain. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired under nhtsa campaign id number: 99v271000 (visibility) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they stated that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. The contact was reversing from a parking space when he heard an unusual click. The steering wheel began to lock yet the contact was able to move the wheel. He proceeded to drive to his residence as the steering became increasingly difficult. The contact noticed the rack and pinion mounting bracket had fractured from the fire wall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 120,553.

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. While driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle began to accelerate to 50 mph on its own. The driver stated that he had to press the brake pedal excessively in order to slow the vehicle down. The failure mileage was 160,000. The current mileage was 171,000. The vin was unavailable. The driver also stated that he notified the dealer and they told him that someone would contact him.

Tl*the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. The contact noticed that his vehicle would periodically fail to start. On one occasion, the vehicle was towed to a repair shop and the mechanic changed the fuel pump. A few weeks later, the failure recurred. The mechanic changed the fuel pump relay, but the failure still occurred. The mechanic referenced nhtsa campaign id numbers 99v317000 and 99v318000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) and showed the contact a wire in the fuel system that was not insulated and...

The dash board is curling up around the front window vents which is kicking the vents out. *Tr

My 1998 kia sephia rear brake pad fell off fell off the shoe. Apparently they are held on by glue. It was replaced but I still have problems when it rains a lot , they lock up when parked. I don't dare use my emergency brake because the brakes lock up. *Tr

The airbag in my daughters kia sephia 1998 passenger side only deployed while she was sitting at a red light. There was no accident and no reason for the airbag to go off. Took to dealship for review and was told that the expert looked at the car and said there is nothing they can do and no idea why it happen. Then continued to say that someone could have done something wrong to the car and we would never no, but they were not going to spend any more time or money to find out what really may have caused this. My daughter, the driver, was slightly injured and now is affraid while driving or riding in a car.

Tl*the contact owned a 1998 kia sephia. A relative was driving the consumers vehicle and he saw his brother driving in the opposite direction. He swerved to play a game with his brother, but instead he lost control of the vehicle and crashed head on into the other vehicle. The drivers air bag failed to deploy, however the passenger air bag deployed and there were no passengers. Updated 04/30/08. Lj the consumers also owns a 2000 toyota tacoma which was also involved in the accident and the drivers air bag did not deploy. Updated

I brought a new kia sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while driving at night, but no mechanic can locate the electrical short problem. *Ak

Tl*- the contact stated that when trying to merge into traffic with the 1998 kia sophia it stalled. When this happened instrument panel lights turned on. The vehicle stalled in heavy traffic, and she had to put the vehicle in park and restart it. The contact stated that the vehicle's current mileage was 70,000 miles. The dealership informed her that she needed a new vehicle. The contact stated that the dealership found nothing wrong with the vehicle. The vehicle stalled intermittently. At times when the vehicle stalled, and she tries to restart it, the vehicle would not restart. *Ak

My wife was driving our 1998 kia sephia and the engine began to stall. She pulled into a parking lot and the engine caught on fire. My wife ran away form the vehicle. The whole front of the car was burned up. *Nm

Flashing overdrive dash light and check engine light continually lit due to faulty pressure sensor at fuel injector. *Nm

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 thing has happened with my 1999 kia sephia. *Jb

1-Leaking brake fluid inside firewall 2-dashboard disfiguring 3-exaust manifold gaskets not lasting

Dt: vehicle engine stalls. Kia 1998 had been recalled. Problem was supposed to be fixed, however, vehicle continues to have problem. *Tt

The consumer states the front brakes are wearing prematurely. The part have been replaced five times however problem still exist. The cause has yet to be determined. Please provide additional information. *Nm

While driving 60 mph the vehicle was involved in a frontal collision. The dual air bag did not deploy upon impact. The consumer sustained bruising from the seat belt. Please provide additional information.

The consumer applied the brakes and the pedal went to the floor. The driver was able to maintain control of the vehicle and drove to the dealer. The mechanic informed the consumer that the problem could not be duplicated. The consumer informed the mechanic this problem has occurred more than once and the problem has not been resolved. Please provide additional information. *Jb

While shifting transmission down shifted on its own, and the shift lock system failed. Consumer was unable to unlock the shift lever in order to move the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection. *Ak

While driving at 55 mph and without any warning, the hood opened and dent the windshield. Consumer indicated for the last past six months the hood hasn't been opened. Dealership has not been notified. Please provide further information. *La

While driving 55 mph, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. It caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to report. However, vehicle was totaled. *Ak the consumer stated that there was a hard start that would not hold fuel pressure. *Sc *jb

Rear drum brakes squealed loudly, and it did not feel as if they were working in moist conditions. Also, a steering gear bracket weld cracked, making it difficult to steer vehicle. At low speeds consumer had difficult maintaining control. Steering wheel was flopping around. *Ak

Battery wasn't holding charge, needed continuous refill with distilled water, overheating, overflowing and spilling acid corroding other parts. (Nar) *ph *cb

Problems with vehicle's fuel gauge as well as vehicle holding fuel.*La *mr