1999 Kia Sephia electrical problems

Filed Jan 6, 2006 · Airbags, Brakes · 21,200 miles · IL · fire

This car has been a constant repair and financial problem for the last 4 years starting two weeks after I purchased the car. It is an unsafe vehicle and can not be kept maintained for safety or reliability it was purchased with 21000 miles on the vehicle and a majority of repairs has had to be fixed. 4 starters, ignition switch, ignition switch wiring harness (ignition still doesn't work), air bag sensor, air bag wiring (air bags still does not work), alternator, front passenger side drive axel broke while I was driving the car, right passenger ball joint fell off the car while I was driving the car, master cylinder and rear brake cylinder went out at the same time while I was driving the car, heater/air conditioning motor. The car has been towed 3 times, and has left me and my children stranded too many times to count. The car is still in need of major repair. The driver rear stabilizer bushings need replaced, the driver's side drive axel needs replaced, the air bags still do not work, the ignition switch still gets stuck and won't turn over, and two weeks ago a piston was thrown through the engine and caught the car on fire. The car is now parked in my drive way leaving me stuck with a car payment and a car that is not worth fixing.

Filed Sep 3, 2005 · Electrical, Engine · 70,000 miles · 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 problem has happened on my 1998 kia sephia as well.

Filed Feb 4, 2005 · Electrical · MA

I am unable to start my car in cold weather. Anytime it gets below 30 degrees, the car will crank and not turn over. I tried replacing the battery. That did not work. The car otherwise starts in warmer weather. This is unreasonable. I can't be stuck in the wintertime with this vehicle. I've heard there are others who have this same problem. Maybe you should look into this and maybe process a recall for this issue.

Filed Oct 3, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 15,000 miles · AL

The car died while driving down the road repeatedly. Battery leaked. Brakes had to be replaced for the entire car at 60,000 miles. The vents on the dashboard have popped up and broken. Now the defroster does not blow the air on the windshield. This vehicle was stored in a garage. The seams on the seat come undone. The cigarette lighter broke and flops in the dash. The switch to override the transmission lock is broken. The rear brake light broke when replacing the struts which you have to remove the back dash to get to. The board that is under the carpet in the trunk warped. The carpets came up from the sides of the car. The storage bin in the center console broke, twice. The wind shield chips and errodes when in a car wash. I have never seen a windshield in this bad shape before. The back seat does not stay down. The headlights have a bad seal and there is water now in them. The rubber around the doors comes out repeatedly. Gear shifter is continually stuck. Brakes take twice as long to stop my car as any other vehicle I have ever driven. I have to drive 2 & 1/2 hours to get repairs. The gas milage is closer to 24 mpg then the 35 that was marked on it when I bought it. There are noises from the engine compartment that are loud and unpleasant. There is a ground fault wire that is bad they want $75 an hour minimum of 10 hours to repair it. The fuse panel cover broke. The headlights cannot be alligned.

Filed Jun 30, 2004 · Electrical · MD · fire

While in the street vehicle was in park and the key was taken out of the ignition switch. Then, vehicle caught on fire under the steering wheel. Dealership was notified. Floor manager indicated to the consumer there was nothing we could do.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Consumer had to have the motor rebuilt. *ph the engine was rebuilt because the engine kept overheating. Now the transmission needs to be replaced but the consumer cannot afford to repair it. The starter was also replaced.

Filed Jul 18, 2003 · Brakes, Electrical · IA

The vehicle had numerous recalls and problems. When the consumer put fuel in the vehicle it leaked out. When it did hit she had to play around with it, until the nozzle was in the tank just right, then it would take the fuel. Also, the vehicle was had problems with the brakes, and rotors wearing out too quickly and the master cylinder was cracked and leaking brake fluid. The consumer had the vehicle in the repair shop at least 10 times and needed to be returned to the repair shop. *ak the fuel tank problem had been worked on four times and still was not fixed. There were gear shift problems where the shifter would stick, multiple wiring console light problems, the wiper blade links were defective and caused the blade to come apart. *scc *jb referenced in rq03-006

Filed May 18, 2003 · Electrical · 5,000 miles · NJ

Kia sephia, bought april 1999 new. Replaced battery within first year, turn radio up it goes down and the other way. Intermittently, speedometer unsteady, check engine light comes on and off frequently. Od off light flashes occasionally. Dome light comes on by itself when in door mode. Dashboard indicator also comes on at this time.

Filed Sep 27, 2002 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

Consumer states there have been nothing but problems with this vehicle since the first year of purchase. Vehicle needs a third transmission, the last incident consumer could not get the vehicle to go in reverse, causing someone to rearend her.

Filed Aug 12, 2002 · Electrical · CO

All indicator lights on instrumental panel come on and stay on at different times. Contacted dealer. This could be an electrical system short. Had different part replaced, problem still reoccurred.