While driving smoke started coming from under the dashboard, and the vehicle caught on fire. *mr *tt
1998 Kia Sephia electrical complaints
Page 2 of 5: complaints 11 to 40 of 105, newest first, as owners wrote them.
The spark plugs and wires had to be replaced for the second time in two years. I feel this shouldnot happen so close together and there may be a problem that is causing it in the manufacturing.
There was a short present in the wiring to the dome light, radio and clock. The door switchs also burned out.
The battery had blown up and spewed liquid/acid. The consumer had received two recalls prior to the incident, one in re: gas valve and the other was electrical. The dealer continues to postpone the dates for repair. (recall# 102944) scc
Consumer states that shortage in the wiring that burns the fuse, causing the radio, the dome light, door ajar light and other components not to work. Had fuse replace 5-6times. Promblem still accurs. Ts
Consumer states vehicle will stall w/o warning while driving. Vehicle checked by dlr who has replaced ignition switch and starter(3x). Problem is still occuring. Mr
While driving 10mph a fire started under the hood.
Consumer stated there was a very loud explosion and smoke under the hood, when consumer started the vehicle, when consumer opened the hood, the entire top of the battery had blown off.*ak
A fire started from main wiring harness under dash which LED to fuse recpticle under hood. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak when the wiring harness burned, the air bag, the radio, dashboard lights, the cooling fan and the A/C failed. This problem reoccurred several times. Tail light, turn signal, head lights, starter and the alternator also failed as the result of the wiring harness.
While driving vehicle, went to stop & had no brakes. Pulled up on the emergency brake, looked in rearview mirror and noticed smoke all over. Pulled over & got out quickly. Opened paseinger door to get belongings & noticed flames coming from underneath. Called 911. Car was burning tremendously. A total loss. My daughter was driving, and got out safely. This happened for no apparent reason. What a traumatic experience, especially for a 17 yr. Old.
While driving approximately 65 MPH, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred.*ak brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.
Vehicle will intermittently stall while driving. It happens at any speed. Contacted dealer, and the dealer stated that starter's fuse burned out.
Consumer states the brakes go out an average of every 14-15000 miles, the rear cylinders or front calipers fail, losing the ability to stop.
Consumer stated the vehicle has been riddled with problems since the day of purchase, the wire harness melting and failed.
The vehicle pulls to the right, the dealer performed 4 whell aligmnent and rotated the tires. Nlm
Interior is falling apart dash coming undone, door panel cracked, control knobs broke, defective electrical connections at fuse box failure with relays causing no start, no defroster, no horn, stalling of vechicle. Concerned of possible electrical fire
In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... Copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.
11 major failures with my vehicle. Not all are listed in this complaint. No safety defect listed.
While driving on highway could see smoke coming from engine. Stopped vehicle and found out that vehicle caught underhood fire, and was totalled. *ak
Numberous problems - not starting/ brakes need to be replaced several times/ shimmies between 15-45 MPH, I had to have my tires replaced prematurly/ has horrible rattle/gas tank spilling gas and gas never showing full/dealer never cooperative can never find problem until a recall or car has to be towed. They had my car for 6 weeks and couldn't figure out what was causing shimmy problem it has been almost a year. I am about to contact attorney to sue dealer and manufacture. Please do something about these cars they are a hazard to the consumer!!!!
Transmission has been worked on over past year. *ak ABS light came on and stayed on due to catalytic converter failure. Wheel bearing failed and was replaced. Automatic transmission had no engagement due to half shaft failure. Engine stalled at a stop due to transmission assembly failure. Brakes were noisy and were replaced, including the rotors. Engine will not start due to battery and starter failure.
The ignition system is hard starting at times, even right after I got a tune up from the dealer. Glovebox has been replaced once before because the closing mechanism jams and will not open. Transmission has slipped, shifts roughly since new. The brakes grind constantly, dealer has replaced rotors, then replaced brake pads after that, now grinding again.
I bought this car used w/42k miles. I have had the same problem with the tps since 2months after I bought it. I have had it in the kia repair shop 8 times and have spent over $1500.00 in repairs, towing and rental cars. I have had it towed 3 times. It has had a new computer, new sensors, new distribution center and new circuit connectors installed, in addition to all of the fuel related safety recall parts. I would not recommend this car to my worst enemy. Kia consumer assistance is clueless---this make and model should have been recalled completely! I am in the process of filing lemon law and am completely disgusted with this car, as well as the company.
Consumer had tried to start vehicle, but sometimes it will not start. When it is on could turn it off whitout prior warning. At time when consumer restarted, engine will not restart.
Consumer had been having problem with electrical system; headlights will go out whithout prior warning, and sometime had to be replaced. Dealer had been contacted.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Brakes,lights,seats,battery,airbags,odometer,leaks,aircondition,leftdoorhandle (tiresize: 14`)( dot number: tire size: 14` )
The kia sephia is nothing but a piece of junk. I would never buy one again. I want to sell it even though I still owe a substantial amount of money on it. No safety defec tlisted in summary.
Premature wear of brake pads and rotors. Dealer has repaired and replaced the brakes several times.*ak in addition heater core, alternator, starter,spark plugs, front windshield and door weather strips failed.
I will never ever ever buy another kia--this car is a piece of junk!!!
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