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
1997 Kia Sephia electrical problems
31 complaints (15% of all complaints for this car).
- owner complaints
- 31
- of this car's complaints
- 15%
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition6
- 12v/24v/48v battery6
- Wiring: interior/under dash5
- Wiring: front underhood3
- Alternator/generator/regulator3
- Wiring2
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1
- Starter assembly1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
Kia Sephia electrical problems in other years
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
What 1997 Kia Sephia owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
The engine wire harness malfunctioned, which caused the engine to stall.
Dash has large brown burn spot on drivers side. This spot started as just a small spot and has over 6 months time continued to grow larger and larger. Now the entire dash is starting to lift up and curl up away from the windshield and the instrument control panel.
The vehicles dashboard seems to be breaking away from the windshield. Consumer is concerned the airbag may deploy unexpectedly. Please provide any further information.ts
Is leaking causing electrical lights damage, the hazards or signals aren't working and the truck smells like mildew. Ts
Vehicle would not start intermittently, vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, and problem still occurring. Feel free to provide any further information.
Car still does not start right a way/engine lgts still on/rgt sig does not wrk/cars a lemon/fuse blows evertime I turn on rgt signal.
Consumer installed new radio, wires were crossed causing check engine light to illuminate, in the owner's manual it states that non-stock electrical equipment will cause engine light to illuminate, owner's manual neglects to mention that engine light will illuminate if the gas cap is not on tight enough, vehicle also experienced dashboard failure.
Dashboard has come apart. Also, seals around airbag on passenger's side has lifted up, exposing parts underneath. Heater vent on dash has cracked, causing heater to become inoperative.
Questions about the 1997 Kia Sephia electrical
Does the 1997 Kia Sephia have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 31 complaints about the electrical of the 1997 Kia Sephia, 15% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 1997 Kia Sephia electrical problems start?
Not enough complaints include the mileage to tell.
Was there a recall on the 1997 Kia Sephia electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Kia Sephia have the most electrical problems?
The Kia Sephia model years with the most electrical complaints are 1998 (105 complaints), 1999 (61 complaints) and 2000 (46 complaints).
Other 1997 Kia Sephia problems
Brakes 75Engine 44Airbags 30Transmission 30Seat belts 20Body 19Visibility 14Fuel system 12Acceleration 8Steering 7Tires 7Lights 4Suspension 4Locks 1Seats 1Wheels 1
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