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Electrical system

2000 Kia Sephia Electrical problems

Owners have filed 44 complaints about the 2000 Kia Sephia's electrical system with NHTSA - 17% of all its complaints, most recently on April 6, 2018. They describe 1 crash, 3 fires and 2 injuries. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.

Complaints
44
Recalls
0
Crashes
1
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Deaths
0

Electrical complaints

Electrical systemSeats & seat belts

The seatbelt pretensioners is locked up & they (both driver/passenger) seatbelts "do not" reel back 2 provide securement of the passenger(s). Also, the electrical issue is the horn does not work even when there's a new fuse & horn. There's a defect in the steering wheel horn button.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Seat beltsNHTSA 11083709
Electrical systemSeats & seat belts

I 🅾wn a 2000 kia sephia & the front drivers seatbelt retracts slow& does not lock. The passenger seatbelt does not retract @ all. Additionally, the passenger front door lock does not lock as if the lock actuator has seized up.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Seat beltsNHTSA 11045411
Electrical system

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 kia sephia. While driving approximately 45 mph the contact noticed the turn signal lights failed. The hazard lights would not function and the instrument panel lighting functioned intermittently. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10423924
SuspensionElectrical system

Both lower control arms have gone at the same time...At 65,000 miles...Which when I checked with repair shop is highly unusual that at this low miles one would go let alone both...He said it is a quality issue. Kia says its not covered...When went to get out of drivers side the door handle snapped off. An electrical problem with heater/air conditioner...Took to kia east syracuse, ny they said they don't make them any more because so many problems. *Nm

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical systemNHTSA 10163581
Engine & coolingElectrical system

Dt: while driving, the battery light came on and the engine began to run hot. The cooling system rocketed to high after the battery light illuminated. The engine went dead in the middle of the freeway. The car was towed to a dealership. The dealer informed the consumer they would not be able to check the vehicle until after july 11th. The consumer did not know what exactly the dealerships diagnosis was because they have yet to check vehicle. Consumer suspected this was a cooling system issue with battery problems as well. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Electrical systemNHTSA 10128140
Fuel systemElectrical systemEquipment & accessories

The vehicle cut off. The dealer stated that the fuel pump was defective. Also, the alarm system was defective. *Ak the dash board light was intermittent. *Sc *jb

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical system · EquipmentNHTSA 10090326
Electrical system

Consumer complained about the electrical system. The lights won't stay on. Consumer replaced fuses several times. However, the problem still occurred. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, but consumer was unable to duplicate the problem. *Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10090210
Fuel systemElectrical systemVisibility & wipersBody, doors & structureEquipment & accessories

Nothing but problems since purchase. Windshield separated from frame, molding fell off 4 times during first 4 months of purchase alternator replaced twice. Battery replaced after only having vehicle 2 months. Air condition (a/c) fuse blew twice fan fuse blew once causing vehicle to overheat. Back doors stick shut. Back doors hinges rusted and bent causing squeaking and not completely to shut. Trans shifts hard and sometimes sticks. Engine light and overdrive light blinked trans was shifted by itself. Had trans...

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flushed seems to be ok. Car shakes at high speeds. Tape player makes funny noises if used for long time.Gas mileage has been poor since car was purchased. Molding turned white. Car has had fuel filter replaced twice. Fuel sensor in tank replaced three times. *La

Filed Incident Fuel system, gasoline · Fuel system, other · Electrical system · Visibility · Structure · EquipmentNHTSA 10042942
Electrical system

Engine stalls intermittently for no appearent reason in traffic

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10040869
BrakesElectrical systemAirbagsEquipment & accessoriesCrash

Air bags did not deploy, brake failure. *Mr the consumer was in an accident due to brake failure and the air bags did not deploy. The vehicle was totaled. The a/c had to be replaced after the first use, and the gas light stayed on. (Turi miller can be reach as well at: d-715 726 8887 or h-715 833 6309 and via [email protected]) *scc *jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Electrical system · Air bags · EquipmentNHTSA 10038593
Electrical system

Car suffers intermittently starting problem while hot or cold with loss of power.Dealer reports advisory about problem, but states only covered for 3 years or 36,000 miles. I was not notified of a problem.Dealer reports faulty engine computer junction box. Service advisor reported a" short in fuse box" to me.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10037075
Electrical system

Electrical system under the dash has shorted out. The airconditioner, defrost, dash lights, are all unable to perform their duties. The fan blower is running constantly and no warning lights have issued a warning sign. The wires are bare and I have been told without replacing the entire assembly the car could catch on fire and blow-up the dash.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10033439
Electrical system

Started having problems with the cigarette lighter (used for cell phone charger) shorting out - pulled fuse so it's wouldn't start a fire. Then at the end of june air conditioner started going on and off when I would hit a bump. Finally went completely out and now being told wiring harness has to be completely replaced. Kia will not pay for because my warranty is out! Scared to drive it because they said wires are melting!! *Nlm

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10031214
Electrical system

The consumer believed a defect existed within the vehicle's electrical system/alternator. The consumer had to replace 3 failed batteries since the vehicle was purchased. The dealer advised the consumer the vehicle was not driven enough for battery to charge itself. Failures occurred on 07/01, and 06/03 respectively. *Ak this was the third battery that was placed in the vehicle. *Scc *jb

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10026986
Electrical system

The electrical system wire harness failed, which caused the turn signals to be inoperative. *Jb

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 10022487
Electrical system

When getting my 3,000 maintenance. The service man told me that they would not perform the maintenance check because the car needed a new computer. The computer chip needed to be replaced, so the maintenance would not be necessary. I've called every other week, trying to find out what and were the are on getting the computer. Here it is almost june, and no replacement. The check engine light continues to gone on and off every other day. I am tired of calling the service department. I am a single mother of 3 boys with one income. That is why I purchased a kia, because I thought it was a reliable car. Can this please be investigated farther than what I can do. *Nlm

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10019026
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainElectrical systemBody, doors & structureWheels & tires

Our kia sephia 2000 is a lemon. We have had to replace the brakes four times because of premature ware and shaking due to poor design. We received the car with a dead battery. We are on our third battery. We were on our third set of tires before 30,000 miles. The gear shift will stick so that you can not take it out of park. The weather molding is falling off. Check engine light goes on and they could not keep it from coming on. *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Electrical system · Structure · TiresNHTSA 10018598
Electrical system

THE HORN WAS NOT LOUD ENOUGH ON THE VEHICLE.*JB

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 10011152
Electrical system

The dash liht and tail light fuses short out resulting in no lights and causing poor visibility. Nlm

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 786459
Electrical system

While traveling on highway vehicle started smoking from underneath the vehicle dealership is aware of problem.*Ak

Filed Electrical systemNHTSA 8018582
Electrical system

Starter keeps going out, has had it replaced 3 times, not covering this time, since the purchase of vehicle in august, 2000. Dealer is in process of ordering another new starter for auto.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 8017225
Engine & coolingFuel systemElectrical system

When vehicle was being driven it cuts off without warning. Also, will not start back up. Consumer has to get it towed every time. Then, it is towed back to dealer, yet, dealer cannot find out the problem. Consumer states he is afraid that he or his daughter is going to get hurt.*Ak consumer adds there is sudden acceleration then slowing down of the vehicle without brakes being applied. Experiencing fuel relations problems possibly related to the fuel box. It is also possible that the alternator and battery failed. *Tt

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · Fuel system, gasoline · Electrical systemNHTSA 8011543
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise control

When royal sold us the car no information was given to us that the car has 5 problems,with it.On the window was a sign saying it had cruise control it doesn't.Also the finance company that is the holder has been really unprofessional.I had the car for only 4months had insurance they kept telling me I didn't,they send a man out to check for the third time.I went to my car to give him the information,he called the office of a.B.C. Finance to let them know I had insurance, starting joking with someone on the other...

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line saying I had a knife to his throat.There was truth to that latter he returned to the office where he had learned the police were called to my home. Police knocked on my door with guns drawed ready to shoot. I was sitting with my daughter when they told us to keep our hands up,don't move. I'm on medication for depression so that didn't help matters at all.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed controlNHTSA 759401
Electrical systemFire

Within a matter of seconds the engine compartment went form some black smoke to flames hot enough to melt interior items such as window visor and exterior items such as front tires. Firewall held. Fire occurred in front of hillsboro fire department bldg and was put out within minutes. Vehicle was totalled.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 757131
Electrical system

Horn works intermittently. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.*Ak

Filed Incident Electrical systemNHTSA 899271

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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