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.
Electrical system
Kia Sephia Electrical problems by year
253 complaints filed with NHTSA about the Kia Sephia's electrical system. Dead batteries, warning lights, wiring, alternators, infotainment and electronic module failures.
Electrical complaints by model year
Latest Sephia electrical complaints
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.
Having trouble with drivers side window. It will work then the motor/regulator gets stuck and won't function. Then all of a sudden it will work then not work. I just want to find out what's causing problem. All wires to switch tested positive power is going to and from motor/regulator to all switches. My cell is [[redacted]] I just want a name and phone number of someone who can fix this in 07646 area code. I,e an expert on power window problems thank you. My name is [[redacted]] this is sort of a complaint because it's become a difficult diagnosis I need a kia specialists help. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.S.C. 552(B)(6). *Tr
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2001 kia sephia. The vehicle failed to start after several attempts. The starter and two relays were replaced; however, the failure immediately recurred. The contact has not had the vehicle diagnosed by an authorized dealer to determine the cause of the failure. She is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The failure and current mileages were 52,984. Updated 01/07/09. *Lj updated 01/08/09. *Jb
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
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
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...
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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
My car is in the shop for the third major repair in less than 2 years. First, in jan. Of '04 there was a leak in the block. That required the entire engine to be replaced ($3,800). Then, 2 months ago, the entire electrical system had to be replaced ($1,567) and now it is in the shop to have the compressor and belts replaced($975). The dealership also does not offer a loaner car and I cannot afford to rent. *Nm
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
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
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
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
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
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked daily. Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data