1998 Kia Sephia electrical problems

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 80 miles · DE

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.

Filed Mar 29, 2007 · Electrical · PA

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.

Filed Sep 3, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

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.

Filed Jun 6, 2005 · Electrical · VA

Dt: vehicle engine stalls. Kia 1998 had been recalled. Problem was supposed to be fixed, however, vehicle continues to have problem.

Filed May 11, 2004 · Electrical · 60,000 miles · FL · fire

While driving 55 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The consumer tried to restart the vehicle but was unable to do so. The consumer noticed smoke coming from underneath the hood. It caught on fire. The fire department was called to extinguish the fire. There were no injuries to report. However, vehicle was totaled. *ak the consumer stated that there was a hard start that would not hold fuel pressure. *sc

Filed Mar 26, 2004 · Electrical · FL

Battery wasn't holding charge, needed continuous refill with distilled water, overheating, overflowing and spilling acid corroding other parts. (nar) *ph

Filed Dec 30, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · 65,000 miles · TX · fire

I purchased a kia in march 02' I used the car for long trips the first year I had owned the car and I had no faults in jan.- feb 03' the car began to shift in to numerous gears and then stall. I was then deployed to iraq. I left the car with a good friend. When I came back he informed me that the car wouldn't start. Dealer said it was the fuel pump. Friend replaced the fuel pump.friend then replaced fuel pump again when car wouldn't start. Friend left the car alone,when it didn't start, until I had returned from iraq. I came back and took the car to midas, due to the fact that the dealer didn't have an idea of what was going on. Midas then said it was the fuel pump. I had it replaced for a third time. Car ran for a day then died. I took the car back to midas they said it was the wiring harness. I had that replaced. Car still didn't start. So midas said three weeks later they said it was the fuel module. The car then worked for about a month then wouldn't start. Took car to several shops all said it was the pump. I then had a mechanic from my unit check it out. He said it was within the wiring to the fuel pump still hasn't figured it out. Since then I have found that it has a faulty connection with the connecting cables near the fuel pump under the back seat. The connectors have been miss firing and has burnt a hole in my back seat. I've tried to go to the dealer but they insist on doing a dianostic and charge me $60.00 just to tell me the same thing that I already know. They also said they can't order the part until a dianostic was done. I've also had numerous problems with the fuel tank over filling and not reading full on the gauge. I have also had to replace the brakes four times in 18 months.the power steering also goes out quite frequently. I have also had a serious problem with the alignment of the car. I understand that wear and tear occurs on a vehicle but the problems that I have had with this car is not normal wear and tear. Iam dissaponted in kia

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 42,000 miles · MD

I bought a 1998 kia sephia in feb of 2000 I have had to replace 3 gear shifters and three transmissions and the car has only been driven 2/3 of the time that I have owned this car. My signal light on one side has never really worked properly and the the headlight constantly shorts out. Of course now I'm out of warranty and still experiencing these problems and many more I dont know where else to turn because all I'm ever told is that's a kia for you. I still have a loan of this car and dont think it's right that almost every year the gear shifter and trans need to be replaced. I would great appreciate any help you can give me because I havent been able to drive the car for the last 2 months because the gear shifter wont come out of park and when it did the trans raced when reaching 2 gear. There is no way anyone should experience this much trouble whether being a used car or not. Please help me.

Filed Oct 16, 2003 · Electrical · 57,000 miles · IL

I own a 1998 kia sephia and ever since I have had this car it sometimes will not start even the battery is working fine. The dealer remedy for this is just replace the starter. I have replaced the starter several times and this seems to provide a cure temporarily. Just recently I had this happen again... I had it towed to a local mechanic that had just again replaced the starter for me...this time he took the starter back to the rebuilder and there was nothing wrong with the starter...the mechanic did some more searching and found the the solenoid that was designed to need a minimum of 11 volts to start was only receiving 7 volts....the mechanic felt the this was a design fault with the car. The starter rebuilder recommended the use of an alternate solenoid from an early model ford that only required 6 volts....with this fix the car has been starting very well... The problem that I am having is that with all of the kia high paid engineers why couldn't the figure this out....

Filed Aug 1, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · MA

Purchased the car in 1999. Have had numerous problems starting it. Replaced the starter 3 times. Still have prblems starting it. 2002 didn't pass inspection because of exaust, kia dealership was suppose to fix problem still having problems starting and exaust inspection failed again.