U.S. District Judge J. Curtis Joyner certified a class action lawsuit filed on behalf of more than 10,000 Pennsylvania owners of the Sephia model of Kia cars manufactured from 1997 to 2001. The suit alleges that Sephias suffer from widespread problems in the braking systems that cause premature wear, vibration and increased stopping distance. Joyner’s ruling affects only Pennsylvania owners of Kia Sephias.
Joyner found that there was “sufficient evidence” that Kia “had knowledge that a vast number of its Sephia automobiles between at least 1997 and 2001 required replacement of brake pads and rotors at intervals of less than 5,000 miles.”.
(via The Legal Intelligencer)
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I bought a 2000 kia sephia,wrong decision i have had so much trouble with this car. I have less than 42,000 miles and the transmission seems to being go out. Never Never buy a kia it really sucks and is a waste of your money and time.
I bought a 2005 Kia Spectra on December 28 and on March 3 something on the engine caught fire and Kia will not take responsibility for it. Didn’t look “mechanical” The car is 2 months old with about 1100 miles on it. I am still fighting this one!!
I bought a 2000 sephia LS with 38k miles 2 years ago. It now has 63k on it. Never a problem. I do my own regular maintenance, filters, timing belt, etc… I replaced the front brake pads at 60k… the first time they’ve been done. Maybe ya’ll need to find an honest mechanic if you don’t understand cars.
A couple of Kia catch fire and the whole brand is to be condemned. A few thousand Fords burst spontaniously into flames, and its still a mighty fine car/truck… lets do the math here.
I purchased a 2000 KIA Sephia in 2004. The trani went 28 days after I got it.(70,000miles) the doors would not shut when cold, and the seat belts were recalled I found out over the internet. It was totaled in an accident…cheaply made…fiberglass. No other problems though. Purchased a 2001 Kia Sephia only problems which are wierd…the dome lite comes on when you open every door but the drivers…and when its cold the doors freeze open not shut. I have solved this problem by installing a remote starter and running the heater on the vents rather than the defroster. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that will be the only problems. Where can I find out about recalls?
We purchased a Kia Sorento 2004 last year. Aside from a truck kicking up a stone and breaking the windshield less than an hour after we bought it, it’s been an awesome vehicle. I own a 99 Kia Sephia too. The engine light has recently gone on and we are in the process of trouble shooting it. Replaced the PVC Valve, air filter and next the fuel filter. Hopefully that will do the trick. The o2 sensors could also be the culprit but I’m hoping not as they are fairly expensive to replace. (About $250 a piece). Other than that the car has nuts and I like it.
Q
my brother was just killed while driving 2003 sephia lost contol airbag didnt deploy in head on collision we are waiting for investigation anyone else hear of fatalities with these kias
My 97 kia sephia ’s engine light has been on for years.Now it stalls when you come to a stop. It has been in firestone for two days now and they still can’t figure out why or the cause of the stall. They charge 80 bucks an hour for diagnosis and i just hope i don’t get a bill for 485 dollars and they still can’t figure out whats wrong with it.Also i might add that the airconditioner compressor had to be replaced as well as some electricla work because the ac compressor would not be working even after the new compressor was installed. They did some electricla work and put a fusable link or something in and that was the end of the ac problem. I would rather rebuild an american chevy camaro then buy another kia sephia or any kia. I also would never buy another nissan or saturn.
2002 Kia Spectra. Check engine light is on. When the dealer puts it on the machine it says something about a misfire, same thing every time. This car has been serviced 5 times now in less than 1 year. Replaced a valve (recall item), timing belt tightened, tune up done and the light is still on. It has less than 30,000 miles on it and the dealer says that the check engine light could be on because of hundreds of reasons so he says it’s not a lemon. So, I asked him if I would have to bring it back hundreds of times and he said that I just might have to. THESE CARS ARE JUNK….
ya…you guys have the sephia…I on the other hand have a sportage (2 door conv.) its a whole new world in a sportage. you wouldnt beleive the bs… 3 engines, 2 transmissions, replaced cd player, break master cylinder replaced, mirrors dont have power to them anymore, unballanced, seems to have holes in the floors, my feet get soaked in the rain, snow and after carwashes. oh ya, the dash panel seems to be falling out, shifter slips while driving, oh and i can go on and on. this thing runs best behind a tow-truck
Here in New Jersey, I also am having alot of problems with my 1999 Kia Sephia. Any ideas on what to do? Every year I’m replacing the brakes or it’s in the shop for something major.
I bought a 2001 KIA Sephia brand new, never had many problems w/ the car except w/ the seat belts. I read a post that said it was recalled. Wish KIA would have told me. Anyway, I am in the process of getting KIA to buy me a new car or refund my money due to the fact that they sold me a LEMON. In march of 2005 I had problems with the wipers and went to KIA to have them fixed. They ordered me a NEW windsheld wiper unit for my car on March 29th and it is now May 10th and I have yet to get it. I have been a month + without wipers. KIA says that they have been making the wrong part for the car so it’ll take awhile. BULL CRAP! Had I have known that KIA couldnt supply my parts for my car I wouldn’t have bought it. So now my car falls under the lemon law for VA and we’ll see what happens. FYI-For all of you KIA owners that have problems w/ your car and the dealships can’t help,there is a number to call,its in your owners manual! Call Them.
I assume that most people who go to a forum like this are the disgruntled. Me? I’m usually too busy running around the country in one of our Kias to read stuff like this. I’m only trying to find out where the fuel filter is hidden on the 2003 Spectras.
We have a 1995 Sephia with 424,000 miles on it and a 2003 Spectra with 77,000. That kind of negates the comment of the guy who said the secret to good luck was only driving 15 miles a day! Our 1995 would have lots more miles on it, except my husband retired before the car did and the 2003 is now our Trip Car.
People have said they have brake pad problems. The 1995 has had the front brake pads changed three times and hubby just changed the front pads on the 2003. Rear brakes have had no work, ever.
First gear went out on the 1995, but Kia put a new tranny in when they heard what kind of mileage we had. This was back when it “only” had about 225,000 miles and was about three or four years old.
The clutch has been overhauled twice, radiator replaced once and CV joints replaced once. Otherwise, nothing has been done except regular maintenance. No engine work has been done and it just passed strict CA smog test.
My one gripe with the 2003 Spectra would be the short seat belts in the backseat. Kia seems to expect only kids will sit back there, but I usually have two adults and if they move an inch, the seatbelt locks up. The belts in the 1995 Sephia are longer. Kia doesn’t make seat belt extenders, but we only found that out after buying the car. We love the Kias, but really dislike our dealer. Next time we’ll definitely go to a different one since we’ve been bitten twice by this one.
We’re very happy with our Kias and as a result, most everyone we know has bought one and they all are having good experiences.
Now, if someone knows where the fuel filter is on the 2003 Spectra, please let me know! Thanks~
Well,I don’t know how you people drive your Kias,but mine(1997 Sephia) has 139.000 miles and the only problem it has given me is a bad fuel injector,which I bought rebuilt for $54.00.Other than that,it’s a good reliable car.I must likely buy another one.
I have a 99 Kia sephia and the check engine light just came on and also the O/D off light has started blinking. Had the codes read and it said the check engine light was on because of a malfunction in the anti-theft system. (I don’t have one) and the O/d Off light is flashing becaus of a malfunction in the torque converter engagement or circtui malfunction. Has anyone corrected these same problems, and if so, HOW?
We bought a 2003 Kia Spectra in 04 started to notice the front bumper cover coming loose from the car. We took it into Kia and they said they fixed it. I complained that there was still a 1/4″ gap where the cover should fit flush with the sheet metal. Kia argued they shouldn’t have even worked on it because its an “adjustment” issue. No sooner did we leave the dealer and the inside fender well came loose and started rubbing against the tire. If we would have been on the highway, the heat from the friction could have caused the front tire to explode. Nevertheless, I contacted Kia corporate and they told me they wouldn’t fix anything more. Kia claims to have this 10 year warranty, but BE SURE to note that they claim that many items (which you and I would think a warranty would cover) are considered “adjustments” and are excluded from warranty coverage. The bumber falling off the front of a vehicle with 20K miles an “adjustment”…hah!
2000 Kia Sephia owner that has no complaints. 125,000 miles and all I had to replace was an alternator and front brakes. Air is cold and remains efficient in mpg’s. I change the oil religously every 3000 miles and keep filters changed and front tires every 15-20k miles, which protects driving mechanisms. I paid $9998.00 on the lot because it was a Black four door.
The heat in the south makes black less than desired. I considered it a disposable auto for that price.Best o luck.
Bought my 99 Sephia and it has been a steady money drain from that day forward. Replaced front brakes THREE times including rotors twice. Engine fan went out at 45,000 miles. Battery had to be replace 4 times. Finally, last week the oil and check engine lights came on briefly, and the engine began to knock. My son pulled over and let it sit, restarted and the lights went out and the knocking stopped. Two days later, he drove it to work, the lights came on again, and this time it stalled. Blown Engine. The car had 52,000 miles on it. Cant see any sense putting in new engine, it isnt worth the price of the labor, let alone the engine.
I purchased a 2000 kia sephia in October of 1999, I thought it was a great car. In Feb 2000 it was in an accident after that I don’t know first the airbag did not deploy, the horn won’t work the dome light was going on when it wanted to I have had to replace front brakes atleast six times rotors once, has anyone had to replace the arm that goes in the front to the wheels? I have replaced through the dealer the alternator, the clutch, the water pump and thermostat, had the heads done, which I don’t think this needed to be done mostly because it took them 3 months to perform the service and when they were done it still overheated and the kia technician said oh, my technician put the thermostat backwards. I still had to pay the 800.00 dollars and a month later I had to pay 700.00 for the clutch. Since that we have had to replace the back brakes the sparkplug wires the exhaust system is the worst we have had to replace the pipe, muffler, the catalytic converter, the exhaust manifold has been welded for cracks and is still continually cracking. Just recently the car was driving and just stopped at the stop light it seems to not be getting any gas to the motor so here we go again. This is all while I keep the maintenance up oil, tuneups and such but we only have had to replace the tires 4 times. I live in California when will we be able to get help for own wonderful car problems.
Own a 99 sephia 83k paid $9,999 , just purchased last year 2 Kia Optima’s 1-LXV6 and 1 LX4.
The only problem i have had from the sephia other than brakes is just replaced the water pump and my 4cyl optima needed a thermostat replaced other than that my wife and i are very happy. Keep the maintenance up and a car will take you as far as you allow it. I have the FXSpyro body kit and have added a trw 25hp chip and cold air intake to the sephia and it will handle most honda’s in it’s same horse class.So these Kia’s are not that bad.With every manufacture you get bad ones.Honda just had a 247,000 car recall on airbags deploying for no reason and another 100,000 for electrical fires. Goes to show any car can cause issues.Honda a bad car? NO! Bang for the Buck you can’t beat the deal on a kia. As for warranty 3/36 does not cover wear and tear items we as owners knew that when we signed for the car. Ask any question about a KIA and i am sure i can answer it. I own a VW Beetle and a older model Porsche so it’s not like i purchased my KIA’s because i have to. It’s because when you look at it… It’s one of the best hidden secrets out there. Look at the new 2006 Sedona Van…. PERIOD
Good Luck and Have A KIA Day.
Mike, South Carolina
I have a 1999 KIA Sephia, manual transmission. It was bad on gas milage! The Chech-engine light came on at 30,000 miles. I took it to Autozone, they erased the light. I thought that fixed the problem for good. Two days after I took it to a KIA dealer and spending $650.00 for the 30,000 miles routine maintenance, the Chech-engine light came back on!!! What a bitch!! I am going to call that dealer about this, but I am not optimistic. Any help?
Robert Toola
I have a 04 Kia Optima, and have had no problems with 52,000 miles so far. I also have a 2000 Toyota 4runner, which is very reliable. Kia newer models have improved tremendously since the previous years. I owned an Accord and had my transmission replaced 3 times and as we all remember in the early 80’s honda was thought of as junk car as kia is now. Just give them time…..The perception of kia is pretty bad because of the name tag which is not as popular and the failure of its previous model parts. Remember Kia sells these vehicles in several other countries and are actually considered to be well built.
Point being I believe these kias in the future will be a cheap supplement to toyota with continious improvements and refinements.
i have a kia spectra 01 and so far ive had to replace the blower motor and the o/d light goes on and off. i also have to replace all the electrical wiring in my car and thats just the start. now the transmittion is starting to go out. if anyone has had these problems e-mail me so maybe i can do something about this
I own a 2000 kia sephia and its a been in and out of the shop since I bought it brand new. Brakes shot! Check engin light never turnes off and the dealer doesnt know why! 2 new batteries! Countless other problems! I don’t know what to do! Im a student working full time and I dont have the money for a new car and I wont get hardly anything for the kia I do have and to top it all off the blower is out for the air condition and I have to see about getting that replaced too! I live in South Texas so the heat is unbearable! HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I own a 1996 Kia Sephia LS SE Limited, fairly rare. Beautiful car, I have owned it since new…. nothing bad to say. It’s a beautiful car. It looks like new inside and out. I love it!!
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I have a 99 Sephia, I bought it when it had 32000 miles it now has 123,000. No problems at all except that the check engine light likes to come on at about every 25000 miles. I just reset it and keep motoring merrily right along. The car is of very good quality, especially the interior. Mine is still like new. My last car was a Saturn I bought new and the interior just totally started cracking and falling to pieces after about 35000 miles. All the plastic came loose around the windshield pillars and the door panels. I couldn’t believe it. It also warped it’s cylinder head because of Saturn’s defective cooling system. On a scale of 1 to 10; I would give the Saturn a 5.3 and the Kia a 8.7.
My father bought me a 2000 Sephia for my high school graduation in June 2000. I had to get new brakes and rotors 6 months later. It’s been in 2 front end accidents and neither of my air bags deployed. My brakes failed in one of those accidents. Right now, it has a burnt valve and needs a new transmission. My engine light came on last year and no one I have taken it to knows why. My engine fan only works if I keep the air conditioner on and change the relay every so often. In Maryland, there was a class action suit against the dealership that sold my dad the car. The car was over priced; it had 749 miles on it and they sold it to my dad for a little over 12 thousand. He didn’t know at the time. The headlights had to be fixed too, they for some reason were pointing upward instead downward. I love the car, even though it’s had a lot of problems. I don’t know if it’s because my dad bought it or not, but I love it.
we just bought a new kia sedona van in july and it has 4,3000 miles on it and this past week we have had to have the front brake pads and rotors replaced and right now i am not satisfied at all with this van and we are also exper. tire problems low pressure and this van is brand new,i can not belive this.
is there anyone out there that has looked up the blue book value on your new or used kia? i did and want to know why we as consumers have paid so much for our vehicles and can’t even get what we owe for it in a trade-in. i think something should be done about it. is there anyone out there that feels the same way. is there anyone who can find out why the value of these cars are so low?
My brother recently got into a car accident with our brand new 2005 Kia Spectra, which we haven’t even had for a year yet and I remember my dad saying how there were little problems with it and even took it to get fixed, but either than that it was fine. Well when we went to see the car, I noticed that none of the 6 airbags had deployed and the car was hit from the front, the side and rolled over. I’m angry because my brother suffered from a head injury and almost died. Did anyone else have this problem with the airbags?
i bought a 2005 kia spectra ex five months ago and nothing but problems. i have put 10,000 miles on it and its been in the shop multipule times 2 times for the auto transmissions not shifting, the steering poping, coolant leaking, o2 sensor, wheel shakes. i thought i would give kia a chance but what a mistake of a life time. the worst part is the kia would not even give me a rental car i had to bum rides to work the only reason i traded my old car in is because i wanted a reliable car well as you can see within five months i got shafted so i recommend not even giving kia the time or day. and dont go to value kia of philly. bad people there they will screw about anthing with two legs
my peice of shit 2001 kia sephia, i’ve had nothing but problems since i bought this hunkshit, first the battery, then tires always blowing out, i just got done replacing my ac and altanator belt for the 3rd in a year, then at least 12 different problems just in the past 2weeks. engine light, my gas light has never worked, also sometimes my car wont come out of part even when you step on the brake. can some one please HELP me with my piece of shit?
I BOUGHT A 99 KIA, BRAND NEW FOR 10,000
CAR WAS GOOD FOR FIRST 3YEARS.THEN AC UNIT DIED, BLOWER MOTOR SHUTS OFF WHEN HITTING A BUMP, SEAT RIPPED LIKE TISSUE PAPER,FRONT WINDOW GVENTS GRILLS POP[PED OUT IN THE SUMMER HEAT, CAR IS TERRIBLE IN ICE AND SNOW,REAR BRAKES JUST COST ME 500, GLOVE COMPARTMENT LATCH RIPPED OFF AND NOW FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON
THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE GOOD THINGS TO SAY ABOUT THIS CAR MUST BE THE LUCKY FEW, BECAUSE THIS CAR IS A PIECE OF SHIT, I AM SORRY I BOUGHT IT AND WILL NEVER BUY A KOREAN CAR AGAIN
you talk about crap, you talk about the 2001 kia sephia. the day my wife drove this thing off the lot she started having problems with it. in two years we have replaced 4 sets of breaks and rotars, working on the fifth set now. also the lights seem to dim when going down the road, the back seatbelts don’t work correctly, the transmission is starting to slip, the doors don’t like to close tight in cold weather.
and the only thing any dealership can tell us is because we aren’t the first owners, we are the second, that there is nothing they can do. to me this should fall under any lemon law in the country, but it don’t. i have even contacted kia directly, but any info i gave them seemed to just fall on deaf ears. anybody out there know who to directly contact? sure could use the help.
seems to me brake problems should be a major concern to them, but they don’t seem all to concerned about it to me.
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