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Engine & cooling

2000 Kia Sephia Engine problems

Owners have filed 41 complaints about the 2000 Kia Sephia's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 15% of all its complaints, most recently on April 1, 2022. They describe 0 crashes, 1 fire and 3 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
41
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
3
Deaths
0

Engine complaints

Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

The contact owns a 2000 Kia Sephia. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart after being jumpstarted. The contact continued to drive; however, the failure recurred 5 times while driving and depressing the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal. After each failure, the vehicle was able to be...

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restarted when jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys and diagnosed; however, no fault code was retrieved. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11459275
Engine & cooling

Tl*the contact owns a 2000 kia sephia. The contact stated that when she depressed the accelerator pedal, the engine would race first and then the vehicle would move forward. The over drive light stayed on and the engine light would blink. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealership where the dealer changed the sensors for the lights. However, the over drive and check engine lights were constantly illuminated. The failure mileage was approximately 162,000. The current mileage was 162,384. Updated 11/03/10. *Lj

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10332295
Engine & cooling

Dt*: the contact stated while driving a clanking noise was heard in the engine. Then, with no warning lights, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, who determined there was sludge in the oil and the engine needed to be replaced. *Ak updated 03/03/06.*Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10147616
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
BrakesEngine & coolingAirbags

Consumer complained that instrument panel gauges worked intermittently. Abs light, air bag light and the engine check light illuminated while driving at any speed. Consumer stated, this problem started after a "service campaign " was done to the battery cable. *Ak

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Air bagsNHTSA 10103336
Engine & coolingEquipment & accessories

I've had many problems with the catalytic converters disintegrating from within. I've had them replaced many times at least 3 or 4 times in the last 2 yrs the most recent was this summer about 2 months ago. I am having this problem again it begins to act like it's going to stall, then starts vigourously shaking, and it also loses acceleration speed. I'll be driving and all of a sudden it starts acting up and losing speed and it wont go any higher than 20 mph or so. This is a continuous problem and one that I...

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consider very dangerous because I could be driving on a busy street or a hwy and I lose acceleration speed and it shakes. This poses a problem to my own safety and that of others driving while these effects occur. I'm scared it will blow up, burn up, or fall apart with all the shaking or even stall and cause a major accident. Please help!!! I've taken it numerous times to the dealership to get this fixed and I've only gotten a temporary fix as you can see. If its not the catalytic converter, its the fuel injectors, or the fuel gauge, it's always one thing or anther. This car is a lemon!!! *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EquipmentNHTSA 10090609
BrakesEngine & coolingTransmission & drivetrainSeats & seat beltsEquipment & accessories

I have <45000 miles on my car (2000 kia sephia) and have had to have the front brakes replaced 3x and the back brakes replaced 1x. Also, when I turn on the ac, there is a loud noise from the front of the car. The car hesitates when trying to get up to speed. The car also feels like it is trying to pull something of great weight when driving at 55 mph. The back seatbelts do not always lock. The dealer informed me that the seat belts are only to lock when the brakes are slammed or the vehicle is hit (so how is a child booster seat supposed to stay put when the vehicle is in motion?) *Jb

Filed Incident Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Power train · Seat belts · EquipmentNHTSA 10064556
Engine & cooling

While driving vehicle stalled. Engine check light came on twice prior to vehicle stalling. Dealership was unable to indicate the reason why the engine check light came on. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10062857
Engine & cooling

I bought a 2000 kia sephia on november 27, 2003. This car has the balance of a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and only had 15,000 miles on it when I bought it. I noticed that it was using a quart of oil every 1,000 miles and after I changed the oil it was using a quart every 500 miles. I had already taken it in to the dealer for 15,000 mile servicing and took it back about this oil problem. The first thing they asked was permission to pull the heads, after which they informed me that the top of the motor was...

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burnt and the only cause for this was failure to perform maintenance. I was asked to produce maintenance records for the life of the car, which I did. After producing these records, the service manager at the dealership now wanted permission to drop the oil pan. I gave it as I thought my car would finally be fixed. I called the service manager and was informed that since there was sludge in my oil pan they would not fix my car, even though I had proven it had been serviced, and it was still under factory warranty. I don't know where to go for help, so am filing this complaint hoping your agency can in some way help me.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10054629
Engine & coolingFire

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. PH *CB *JB

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10029693
Engine & cooling

While driving, the vehicle shut down and to restarted ten to twenty minutes later. *Nlm by the time the vehicle was pulled over to the slow lane, the acceleration started again. (After a minute or two with no power) it sputtered before, while cruising. A carb cleanser was placed in. As the vehicle approached 35 mph or 45 mph, the acceleration restarted and the consumer was able to pull back onto the road. *Scc *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10018098
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
Engine & cooling

The engine light illuminated on the dashboard, and then the vehicle lost power. *Jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10019579
Engine & cooling

The sensor/gas level in the gas tank went out when the car had 53000 + or - on it and it cost us $300 to fix it. The driver's door doesn't seal. And now, as we left a store tonight, the flashing (yes flashing) check engine light came on again and the car is sputtering and clanging from under the bonnet. It is in the evening and a friday night. I opened the hood and it smelled funky/burnt. It was sputtering. The car currently has 72000 miles on it. I'll try to get it looked at in the morrow.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 10003360
Engine & cooling

Consumer states vehicle looses power in the middle of traffic. Took to mechanic and he states the coils are defected. Please provide any further information. Ts

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8024127
Engine & cooling

The engine light illuminated on several occasions, the dealer was unable to fix the problem. Ts *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8022175
Engine & cooling

Consumer stated the catalytic converter separated, which emitted fumes and caused a rattle noise.Mr *jb

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8021311
Engine & cooling

Vehicle stalls while driving, engine light intermittenly flash off and on, also dealer change odometer to cero miles, delaer has been notified several times please provide further information. Mr

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8020882
BrakesEngine & cooling

The brakes have numerous problems with this car since purcahsed. Resulting in frequent repair, inconvenience, safety concerns and other problems. Was told today by a brake specialist that the reason why the front brakes keep wearing fast is that the rear brakes do not work. Nlm

Filed Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine cooling · Unknown or otherNHTSA 767613
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
Engine & cooling1 injury

Daughter drive car in hospital 05/12/02 and 06/06/02 from fuel leak back into car, causing her to passout, dizziness,/ nausea/ vomting and diffcult in breathing and headache. *Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 762815
Engine & cooling2 injuries

The mold in the car has caused two people to get sick . We have told kia of the problem and they have not done anything for us. The car has been test for toxicity mold. I have contacted the bbb auto line and nothing as been resolved in this matter. We are seeing a doctor for the mold and are unable to drive the vehicle on doctor's order and do to the level of mold in the vehicle. *Ak

Filed Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 762571
Engine & cooling

Obd-2 malfunction control light came on while driving. Emission was inspected and nothing could be found. Dealer was not notified at this time. Feel free to provide any further information.*Ak

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8009491
BrakesEngine & cooling

Consumer stated the silencer next to the catalytic converter is rusting out. Took to dealer and had repaired but problem still exists. Nlm brakes, rotors and pads failed and were replaced three times. *Yh

Filed Service brakes, hydraulic · Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8007808
Engine & cooling

Engine will continueously overheat when traveling long distances. Contacted dealer, and dealer cannot find cause.*Ak *mj

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 8007081

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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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