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)
{ 184 comments }
Here in Florida, we too, are screwed. Any help for us!!!!
I’ve been working on my problems with my Kia Sephia since the day I bought it. What can be done to take off the “check engine” light–AGAIN. They waited until it was out of warranty, but it was brought in several times under warranty to get it fixed. HELP.
Here in North Carolina, I have been having brake problems since i’ve got mine. 00′ Sephia!!
I have a 1996 Sephia. I too have the check engine light on constantly. I also have a problem with the oil. It doesn’t leak and 3 mechanics can’t figure out where it is going. Any suggestions? I have 120,000 and have had this problem since I bought it brand new.
I had problems w/ my brakes after about a year and just had to replace brakes again. Can we get any help if its just been repairs and no accidents? Please advise.
Thanks,
K.
I have major problems with my Kia also. From the brakes, no horn, check engine light, cannot get my gear out of park and electrical problems, and help for me!!!!@!@#
How do we go about getting a classaction suit in NC for us dissatisfied Kia owners?
I too have many problems with my 2000 Kia Sephia. First the brakes went out, drinks oil and do not where it goes, there is no leaks but between the 5000 mile changes I have to add 2-3 quarts. The O/D Off light stays on “flashes” all the time, the check engine light is always on, had to replace the transmission once. This has been the worst car I’ve ever owned, so many problems. I’ve never received a recall on anything and yet I’ve just read that they have sent some out, maybe to only a select few.
I have had nothing but problems w/ my 00′ Sephia since I bought it. The check engine light on constantly, replacing brakes again, and replacing battery for third time. The O/D light flashes all the time with the check engine light. All I get is the run around about these problems. Is there anything that I can do????
Have had nothing but problems since buying kia sephia (’98) 15 months ago. Bought used with only 24k miles on. New brakes and rotors at least 4 times in last 13 months!! Not to mention all the other problems, and yes, check engine light comes on all the time!! Will never buy another, new or used!!
I am also having problems with my 1999 sephia. I just had the brakes replaced 3 months ago. now I have to get them replaced again. Please someone help!!!
Where to start? Had to have the engine REPLACED after 32,000 miles. KIA dealer here in Austin TX kept the car 3 weeks and would not give me a loaner even though I had it in the shop 4 times before they figured out the engine was shot. Drinks oil like the tin man and KIA mechanics do not know why. Check engine light comes on but when mechanics @ KIA look at, they “can’t find a problem”… *sigh*
I knew I should have bought American!
Katherine,
while I feel bad that a company can have such bad quality products, I do not think your problem was buying a foreign car I think it was buying the cheapest car on the market a KIA. Well not really, but to be honest in the last 7 years we have had nothing but japanese cars (Nissan’s and Honda’s) which cost a bit more than their american counterparts but are well worth it.
About 13 years ago every car my family had was a Ford, three of them and all of them had tremendous problems such as bad transmissions at less than 80000 miles and a handful of repeat problems.
Best of luck to all of you.
I purchased a 2000 kia sephia used, with 40,000 miles. It has been completely problomatic. The engine light goes on and off, the brakes have been constantly problematic, and once the car accelerated forward when I was braking.. I would not recommend a kia to anyone. I think a class action lawsuit is needed nationwide.
Ga–Columbus. I bought a 2000 kia brand new, at 33000 miles had to have brakes replaced at 36000 miles had tune up which was not covered by warranty, same day fuel pump went out, same day they decided a new head was needed. Kept car for wk put rebuilt head on got car back, check engine light still on, car was shaking and my radio did not work, decided to order brand new head, got that back still having problems decided to put new engine in. . After new engine stared having problem with fuel tank, and injectors. check engine light still comes on, had seat belt that broke (my 6 yr old son’s). Rubber seal around window, sun visor, battery, and now air bag light continues to come (needs new driver module). I do have an attorney working on this but it has been a year have a pre trial date for Sept 8. Hope somebody does something to Kia about their crappy product. I can’t even trade my car only worth $2000-3000 still owe $6800. HELP PLEASE im divorced with two kids and this is th only ride I have, desperately need a new one as it is in the shop about every month
I have a 99 kia sephia that I bought used with a 90 day warranty and within 2 weeks after the warranty went out now I have a major problem —IT STALLS AND WONT DRIVE BUT STARTS AND IDLES FINE—what can we do about this? I am also in NC and everyone is baffled on what is wrong with this car!!!!! Are we all just screwed if we dont live in PA????
Something needs to be done about this!
I bought my 2000 Kia Sephia unaware of the poor braking system. My car is STILL under warranty, but will they do anything about it?? NO! “Ma’am its normal wear on the vehicle.” Yah, well every 3000 miles I have to spend over $300.00 to replace the brakes and rotors. THEN my speedometer sensor went out on a long trip. I couldn’t tell how fast I was going, and I was no where near a Kia Dealership. So, I had to drive all the way back to my home with no speedometer. I spend the $50.00 to have the dealership look at the car, Only for them to tell me that part isn’t under warranty. Well, They fixed it, and for free. That is not something that I could have burnt out myself. They fix it, 2 days later (a 30 minute job) and the check engine light is still on. They wanted another 50 bucks to look at it again. I told them they could kiss off. All they needed to do was reset the computer. So all of you that have taken your car in to have it looked at, and the check engline light is STILL on.. take it back and tell them to reset the computer. That is all it takes. I am going to take my car back to the dealership and see if I can get them to replace the brakes and rotors. I won’t back down till they do it, and without charging me the $50 bucks required for warranty work. IF it happens, I’ll let you know how to work it
I have a 97 kia Sephia. I live in Pa. and have had 4 sets of brakes on it the frist year we owned it. The dealership put the new ones on for free. the oxygen senor is another problem. I now am trying to find out why the fuse for the brakes and the horn blows all the time. I am riding around not knowing if i have brake lights or not. Very much a problem. I did get a coupon in the mail for a free set of brakes that they say will not wear out. we will see.
I too have had nothing but troube of course,with my ‘99 Sephia. As recent as this week the check engine light and o/d light are both flashing. Transmission has been replaced.And as everyone else brakes have been replaced already 3 times this year. What a piece of junk.
We have a 2000 Sephia. And find it to be a piece of junk also. When I brought it home it got great gas mileage but after taking it to get it detailed at the dealears the gas mileage dropped from 45 to 30. We have replaced many things on the car which are way over priced. and now the brakes, which is leaving the o/d light on now. and try to find a book for these cars, yeah if you can, I can’t find one any where and the parts are hard to get. What a mistake I will never make again.
Wow!I had no idea so many people had problems with their Kia’s until now! We bought a 98 Sephia with 25,000 miles on it for our almost 18 year old son a few months ago. I was wondering if anyone has had any problems with their Sephia not starting? We have had the fuel relay replaced, and it is doing the same thing again today… WONT START, but tries to turn over. I am not a mechanic, but think the fuel relay should last longer than a couple of months! Also, the brakes suck! We bought the car because of it was in great shape and had such low miles! I am now thinking that the people who traded the car in just didn’t drive it because it was a piece! So far (crossing fingers) the dealership here is awesome! Even the dealership we bought it from used (Chrysler) wouldn’t touch it, but sent us to Kia. We live in Missouri…. can anyone HELP us! I want my son to have a safe, reliable car but don’t have the money to buy him another one. What can I do, if anything?
I am so livid!! I bought my 2000 Kia Sephia used and ever since I have had tremendous problems. Three weeks after I bought it, I had to have the engine replaced!! Countless brake and rotor changes. And tire changes. Today my car just started shaking and the check engine light started blinking. I turned off the car and then started it right back up, and even in park it shakes. There is no off sounds, and I look at the engine with no luck. I used to have a 1983 Dodge Ram, and at least I had a manual where I could fix the darn thing myself, but ohhh no. I can’t even FIND a Kia manual anywhere. I think someone just fell asleep at the switch somewhere and we all got a crappy car. NEVER AGAIN!! My next car is going to be a VW. CAn’t wait to get rid of this piece of crap.
Help,
I bought a 97 Kia Sephia and the check engine light is still on after 2 years of trying to fix it. Oxygen sensors, Catalatic converters and other sensor replaced still the light on.
I need help in California.
2000 kia + sephia = death trap. I have had the front pads replaced twice and the rotors three times. 3 replaced transmissions. Full wire harness replacement. O/D light and check engine light on every other day and electrical problems like crazy. When the car goes over 40 it feels like you are driving on a cobble stone road.
I can’t bring this car to trade it in as the o/d and check engine light is on so often. When is enough…enough because I am so done with this car.
My 98 kia sephia sucks!! i too have had starting problems… found out an after market anti theft device was put in and sucked all my juice so it wouldnt start. Its fixed now. check engine light and o/d light on 3 times a week. local dealer says its trans. temp sensor, its just annoying and its not affecting how it rides for now. had headlight problems. It turned out to be a bad relay in the fuse box. i switched some around and it works now. what a piece of crap. looking to dump it now. a
I have a 99 Sephia that has had the whole brake system relaced at my own expense.Also replace the fuel pump,2spark plug wires@ 48,000 miles and now have a short in the wiring between the starter and alternator.
have a 98 sephia with 113,000 miles on it and it runs very well!brakes were no good after the first 12,000..I put quality after market rotors and pads on it;it has been 72,000 miles and the braks are not worn
I have a 98 Sephia that has been a problem since day 1! Trans replaced twice under warranty due to o/d light once and speedometer jumping all over once. Now, my battery is draining due to the main fuse box, in particular, the airbag fuse (that also controls the radio and clock…how nice). Have to take it to a dealership because no one else wants to touch it. $70.00 diagnostic fee! Can’t wait till I can bury that piece of *&@$!!!
I have had to replace my brakes twice in the past 5 months on my 2000 kia sephia and the rotors replaced three times. Now the check engine light is stuck on to no avail and I am so sick of the piece of junk I wasted way too much money on financing through kia financial (I should have known something was strange about that) that I am willing to take another financial loss to ensure my safety.
Hmmmm….hope this helps most of you..own a 2000 sephia with 70,000 on it now. Problem with stalling and starting was rectified with an overlooked bulletin on a change on the sparkplug gap. Had engine light problem which really had to do with sensor in the gas tank.. I have 2 friends, one owns a chev lumina the other a chevy S10…both have the same annoyance. So it is not just a kia problem. To reset the engine light…disconnect the battery. It has never come back on since. As for brakes I drive a lot of stop and go in town..brakes checked every year. No problems just passed a new safety inspection at the garage where I live. He told me I’m probably good for another year. I did have a problem with brake squeeling as most new cars have metallic brakes now..i have them cleaned every 6 months at the garage and I purposely spray inside the wheels when I wash the car with a pressure washer to prevent premature wear from metal dust buildup. This wasn’t an issue with asbestos lined brakes. However it is with the new metal brakes introduced into the North American market. This car doesn’t seem any cheaper made than my 93 escort I had previously…but some little annoyances can drive you mad but are easily solved with a good common sense mechanic…not the parts changers that are in the majority of shops.
Where to begin? I have a 1998 Sephia which I purchased brand new. It was recalled three times in the first year. Once for a problem with the windshield wipers, I’m not sure why. A second time for a problem with the fill pipe on the fuel tank, it wouldn’t allow you to fill the tank all the way. A third time for faulty seat belts, they “clicked” but did not lock and could come lose if there were a sudden impact such as a collision.
I also systematically replace the brake pads since the design allows for the front brake shoes to be installed in either the right or left side. The left side, driver’s side, is actually backwards so the brake pad wears out and the sensor is never touched. When you hear the first indication of brake wear, squeaking, it is the metal of the pad rubbing on the rotor. The sensor is as good as new! I now perform the ritual myself, saving me $300 every three or four months.
The shroud around the steering column fell off one day while driving and the horn wouldn’t stop blaring. It now will not honk at all and the air bag light stays on all the time. I’m not sure if this means that the air bags will not deploy when needed or if it is just the light. Speaking of lights, the check engine light comes on all the time and at times flashes to the beat of the music I am listening to through blown out speakers and I don’t listen to the music very loudly, ever! I have replaced the battery three times; the last time was after only six months. I cannot open the glove compartment to save my life. I even offered a police man a chance to open it when he stopped me and asked for my registration and proof of insurance. I just told him “It’s in there, you can get it if you like.” and pointed to it. He couldn’t open it either.
Once while driving it on the freeway it suddenly stopped running and I coasted to safety off the next ramp. It turned out to be the timing belt. One month later it did it again, but this time they said it was the fuel pump. I have also replaced the fuel filter and the plug wires. The spark plugs have been replaced five times in the last two years and I am getting ready to have the oxygen sensor replaced because it is running so badly. The whole car shakes at any speed including at stop signs, but really gets your bones shaking above 55 mph. The tires have been replaced three times and it still shakes.
The dashboard started to separate in the front near the steering wheel about a year ago and now it has started doing the same thing where the dash meets the window. Kia has been no help at all; they won’t even sell me a repair manual for the piece of junk. While still in warranty, the dealer told me about the design problem with the brakes and said I could trade it in for a new Kia or “just live with having to replace the brakes every so often”, which I can’t tell if I made the right decision. One thing I do know, I will never buy one of these again. I wouldn’t wish this curse on anyone. I don’t even have to lock the car since I know no one will steal it, I can dream though.
I bought a 98 kia sephia oct.1st2003 I have not even had it a month and the timing belt broke and the alternator belt also shredded and left me on the side of the road…what can I do…i bought it as is…Devona
I have a 2001 Kia Sephia and can’t complain at all!! It has 33xxx miles on it and haven’t had to do anything but general maintenance. I did just have new brake pads put on and rotors turned today, only because of brake pulse and due for tires soon. I’ve had to do this on past cars with less miles. A LOT has to do with the type of driving and braking you do (especially in city) Can’t complain,, I love the car!!!
Hello, I purchased my Kia in 2000 and yes, it is a 2000 Sephia. This vehicle has been awful to say the least. My first transmission went at 33,051 miles and my second transmission went at 64,000 miles. In addition to those problems, my master cylinder was just replaced, along with my transmission control module. They refused to cover these two repairs under warranty. I’ve written several complaints and they have said that they see no reason to compensate in any way. My main concern is that the transmission is going to need to be replaced again when the vehicle is no longer under warranty. I have had the brakes repaired in December, but that was after @60,000 miles. Any advice?
2002 KIA bought brand new, only 3,500 miles, yes not even four thousand miles, check engine light on, put in a quart of oil, then reput the gas tank lid on again then light went off then cam eright back on, smell hot coolant all the time, tranny slipped from day one, hopping startup problems and steering whines, of course after waiting 5 hrs at KIA in St. Petersburg, Florida, they can’t seem to find any problem. I had read about the check engine light problems other people had and when it came on i just drove anyways and will drive it till it blows up I guess. piece of you know what from day one…
I got my kia in my divorce.What a reward
I have to say it hasnt been as bad as the stories I have read here.It was about 2 year old before we had the brakes replaced.I had those replaced at my cost and had a old family friend do it at his shop.about a year after that I had on of the sencors replaced because it just stoped on the side of the road on a hot sunday after noon in august in texas with my kids and crippled younger brother in the car.Some how my older brother just happen to be not to far behind us and pick us up.Then no problems until last summer. the car was making a noise that sounds like grandma poping popcorn in and old kettle. and the engine would reve up on it on and speed up with out push the gas while picking up my kids. I took it to the dealer it had 97000 miles on it so no warnty they told me it was an air flow metter and charged me 786.00 to replace it , It didnt help took it back they said it need to be set I found out later you cant set an air flow metter.Got it back did the same thing .My mom called told them what for because she put the work on her amercan express.bacause i was newly divorce and working at Mcdonalds.They took it back and keep it for 30 day and rented me a lancer I loved it.Got my kia back and the dash broad was culing from the hot sun and it still ran the same. My dad got invovled this time he went to the head of the kia service dept in Garland shelton Dealership and Randy was his name said he would do was ever it took so they put in a new computer at no cost to me. To this day it still dose the same thing just not as often.Then in june of this year the cluch went out 690.00 Now mind you it has 100,000 and more miles on it now but in augest it was 609,00for new axles.Now this week I just found out I have got to put out 150.00 just for the parts dont know about labor for another part.Im so tired of this I dont even remeber what he called it.but it has something to do with the gas not mixing right.I ve aready bought new Dodoge neon and I would not even have it fixed but my teenage collage student drive 35 miles back a forth the collage 5 day a week and we need a car at home.Thank you
I purchased a ‘98 Kia Sephia in November of ‘98. I thought it was great for a few months. That was when all of my troubles began. It started with the check engine light, which was serviced twice. Then it became an issue with the brakes, serviced two or three times, and problems are arising again. Next, I had to replace the transmission at 18,000 miles which is acting up again. I have had nothing but problems with this car since I bought it. I hate it! The worst part now is that I don’t even have a warranty so all the expense is out of my pocket. I feel that I got a raw deal all the way around.
I have a 98 sephia with 74xxx miles on it. I bought it with 53xxx miles and have since replaced the brake pads twice, rotors replaced once, and turned once, drums turned twice, and the car still shakes, squeels and grinds. Plus my drivers side caliper seizes every so often. This car sucks, the computer has had to be replaced, plugs and wires, and a ton of other crap, it’s been towed 4 times in 18 months. Plus someone backed up into me and now my airbad light is on. My seatbelts dont clip in and my paint on the mirrors is pealing off. Im sick of this crap, im buying a Subaru.
i think this should be a nationwide suit. 1999 kia engine lights been on since the 1st month. bad brakes. parked in drive now, won’t idle.
We’re class counsel in the Pennsylvania and New Jersey class actions that have been certified in those states. We also filed a class case in Florida. One is pending in California as well. Would appreciate hearing about all brake problems with the Sephia that people have had. Thanks
In Louisiana.
Our ‘98 Kia Sephia is absolute CRAP. It always needs fixing and once you take it apart good luck putting it back together!! You name it, we’ve had trouble with it. No manuals anywhere to be found! I’m sticking to Fords!
I have had problems with my 97 KIA sephia since day one. It started with the drivers side window, the continuous brake replacement, and it dies on me everytime I stop at a red light. I have spent more money repairing this car than I paid for it.
I believe that all Kias should be recalled and replaced. Innocent people should have to use their lives as an example in order to prove to manufacturers they are making mistakes!!!!
How amazing to see all theses complaints. I have a 2000 kia sephia, problems have ranged from door not latching, horn not working even after being in the shop for that problem, no resove! had to replace the brakes twice, last problem is something wrong with the taillight assembly that causes the left taillight to go out, and then the dash lights go out. Talk about fun driving at night! try it with no dash lights! no resolve from the dealership, and no reovle at corporate level either. What are we supposed to do? too bad.. you get what you pay for?
Hi I am so glad to see that I am not the only one with all of these problems! This car is a piece of crap! I have 133 k on mine and it drinks oil, it constantly has problems, and it seems like every other week I am fixing it! I could be driving a car that was so much better if I spent the money on a payment instead of all of these repairs! I got my car new in 98 and up until about 60 K I didn’t really have any problems with it. After that, I’ve had the brakes replaced 3 times, the rotors done twice, the oil gasket, the alternator, the axles, the starter, and now the check engine light is coming on and the O/D on/off light is constantly flashing. It also has bad acceleration and it always feels like its going to stall out and I just had the spark plugs replaced not even 4 months ago. I am so sick of this car and can’t wait to get rid of it! Does anyone have any idea what the problem w/ the O/D and check engine light might be? Any help would be appreciated!
I purchased my KIA Sephia in 1998, I should have driven it threw the windows of KIA office in Invine CA., but with my pride, I continued to dump money into the KIA just to keep it running over the years, because I did have money to purchase a different vehicle. I wish I could get all of my money back. Now, I have to purchase an alternator for the vehicle because it has stop running, and I have no other transporation until I get my new Mazda3S. Never again will I purchase a KIA,so long as I live on this Earth. The KIA was my first car I purchased on my own with no help from my parent, what a let down.
I purchased a brand new 97 kia sephia. Had no problem until the interior light stopped working. After that it went down hill from there. Took it to the shop about 5 times because the check engine light came on and the water pump went out. Changed the brakes i dont know how many times and …guess what the brake pedal has to be pressed all the way down to the floor before the car stops….worst of all the car smoke for about 4minutes when i start up the car…hate it…wont purchase another one again!
I too have had many problems with my 99 Kia Sephia. Brakes and rotors replaced at 11k miles. 5 or more recalls. Brake pedal still has to be pressed to the floor and stopping distance is terrible. Brakes acted up again at 33k miles, but Kia dealership and Kia reps declined to repair.
For 2 days my engine light was on and the O/D light was on. I pressed the O/D button on the gear shift, but nothing happened.
I’m not an expert in law, but could we go about a national class action? I live in Wisconsin, but I don’t know if there is anything in the works.
Oh yeah, water pump went out about 22k miles or so.
Never again will Kia have my business.
My wife and I purchased a crapia in 99 new. Within 6 months the brakes where shot. Check engine ligt came on shortly after. I don’t know how many RECALLS theirs been. Now the check engine ligt is on and the O/D light is blinking. I don’t even the the scrap yard would accept his car. We thought we where all alone on this one. We reside in California. this should be a national lawsuit to put an end to these crapia’s being driven on the roads.
Purchased a 2000 Kia Sephia new, just had front brakes replaced to find out the master cylinder went out. Had the master cylinder replaced under warrantity, and less than a month later, my master cylinder is out again and car is in shop.
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