1999 Kia Sephia: check engine light

Filed Dec 27, 2005 · Body, Engine · 78,000 miles · CA

1) air conditioner hoses defective and will not hold charge 2) car rattles and makes noise coming from trunk area, taken to dealer repeatedly without any idea of how to remedy the problem 3) car would loose power without warning and at dangerous times, took to dealer 3 times before the car failed completely and they were finally able to fix the problem 4) rear drivers side window sticks and rattles, taken to dealer un-repairable 5) rear door look does not work, taken to dealer repaired but now it doesn't work yet again 6) engine light on, told by dealer the gas cap wasn't tight enough 7) power locks open and close at intervals while driving the car 8) engine light blinking, no idea what problem is this time contacted kia and asked to speak to field representative and was told that kia could do nothing to assist owner in fixing owner. This car is a money pit and do not recommend to anyone to buy a kia under any circumstances.

Filed Dec 10, 2003 · Brakes, Transmission · 32,000 miles · OH

The dealer had replaced two automatic transmissions in the last two years. *ak the vehicle was a lease and had only one year remaining and was unable to be driven. The vehicle needed a transmission and brakes. The engine light had come on, the transmission lines leaked, and when the brakes were applied they were noisy. *scc

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 Mar 16, 2003 · Fuel system · TX

I have owned a 1999 -2000 kia sephia for almost two years now and it has caused me nothing but trouble, at the moment I have had a kia dealership fix the fuel censors three times and this time we went to go get it checked cause the check engines light came on and all they did was turn the light off and say they would look at it new again when we went back they said they couldn't find anything wrong with it , all I know is that one day me or someone else driving me car is going to be in the middle of the road with a very dead car either hurt or have the potential to be hurt .

Filed Sep 10, 2002 · Transmission · PA

While driving between 40-65mph transmission will downshift, and engine light will come on, making it hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.

Filed Apr 19, 2002 · Acceleration, Electrical · TX

Consumer states when accelerating the vehicle speed decreases instead of increasing. Replaced parts 4 times. Problem still occurs. Nlmvehicle has been repaired for wiring harness and sensor failure, the transmission is slipping, the transmission fluid is burnt and it is leaking fluid at the shift shaft (consumer was advised to replace transmission), the over drive light keeps flashing and the check engine light illuminates due to the hold unit not being applied.

Filed Feb 24, 2002 · Airbags, Electrical · FL

Since we bought the car we had a recall on january of 2000 for electrical system.after that we had problems with engine light going on that was due to transmission problems,wish in fact had to be repair twice and replace once.also air bag light turn on due to alternator problem on 02/05/2002,alternator had to be replace.I would like to see a resolution to this problem because of the matter of fact the car shoulb be under the lemon law.thank you.

Filed Sep 16, 2001 · Engine · AZ

Engine light recurringly goes on. Diagnosed and repaired, previously, for emissions solenoid part failure. When brought in and, again, codes came up as emissions / small evap leak in system, dealership kept vehicle over 16 hours, told owner they could not locate an available kia mechanic to look at or work on, so they had a different manufacturer (hyundai) without my authorization look at the vehicle. The hyundai mechanic, svc mgr said, couldn't figure out what to do, and then svc manager told owner that the hyundai mech moved some things under the hood and tightened gas cap, vehicle then seemed okay and vehicle okay to drive with engine light on- just not when flashing on and off' and if goes back on, bring back in when a kia mechanic could look at it. I told them that I did not feel safe driving, esp. As it had just been repaired for the emissions system/engine light several months before and could he please call other local dealer. He said he did not have access to their warranty work or their local system repair records and said not necessary for them to call or take to another kia dealership (even though other dealership only 20 minutes and a local phone call away). Also asked dealership to check transmission and change oil/wash (had dealership online coupons for latter svcs) of which, of course, no services done either (even after having vehcle over 16 hrs). Transmission still sticks/drags while driving and vehicle still random cold-start stalls.

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · CT

The car wouldn't start shortly after I bought it. It took several trips to the dealer in order for them to replace the starter. After the starter was replaced the problem continued and the flywheel was finally replaced. Approximately one week prior to receiving a recall notice on the wiper blades the wipers stopped working during heavy rain on a highway which almost caused me to get into an accident. I have had electrical problems such as the ceiling light going on and off whenever I turned corners. The car battery was even replaced after the new starter and flywheel were put in because the car still had problems starting. Recently the transmission had to be replaced. A week after the transmission was replaced the overdrive light and the engine light started blinking on and off. The car finally stalled and had to be towed. The car was given back to me and I was told that a gasket in the transmission was leaking. A week after that the over drive light and the engine light started flashing again and the car starting driving as if it was stuck in first gear. The car finally stalled again and wouldn't move.

Filed Aug 3, 2001 · Brakes, Transmission · MO

I started taking my car in to the mechanic at the dealership shortly after I purchased the car about the car not shifting correctly and being so sluggish. I'm not sure about the dates I took the car in but it was several times. I was told that nothing was wrong or they couldn't find any problems. It has just gotten so bad that I'm not able to drive the car now. I've had problems with the brakes, the air conditioner, check engine light coming on and staying on and the overdrive light flashing on and off. I'm sure they don't have a record of the many times I've gone by because they would usually just look at it or drive it around the block and say they couldn't find anything. Now that the warranty is out , they have come up with some suggestions at my expense. The car has never performed properly and they just kept putting me off until I finally gave up. I am unable to drive the car now because it will barely get up to 35 miles per hour. I will greatly appreciate anything you may be able to do to assist me. Thanks

Filed Jun 11, 2001 · Brakes · PA

Brakes seem to go out every 3,000 miles. Brakes have a grinding sound and the stopping distance has to be increased. Dealer stated wrong size brakes were made for vehicle and back brakes went out. Vehicle depended on front brakes. *ak consumer states that now the dealer wants her to pay for the brakes, dealer has replaced brake pads, rotors, and rear drums, pulsation also occurs. Engine light illuminated, dealer stated transmission needed replaced at 30758 miles. Excessive crank in the am, dealer performed wire harness campaign which was also causing lack of power. Squeal in steering, dealer replaced the steering pump and power steering belt.

Filed May 22, 2001 · Fuel system, Transmission · AZ

Since earnhardt kia re-ground transmission wiring harness and worked on fuel pump (another recall), car has still stuck in gear, dragged, made grinding sound and shakes from 45 to esp. 55-75 MPH, partic when running hot (over 15 minutes). It also still randomly stalls on cold start or when rainy/wet. Kia consumer affairs called and requested I not take the vehicle back to earnhardt or to thomas motors authorized kia dealerships and to please take it to another dealership and they would call back to confirm a loaner vehicle....which they did not. Sure enough, this morning, on the way to work, it was doing it's usual dragging, grinding, and shaking while I drove except, this time, it stuck in 1-2 gear all the way up to 45mph, then jumped, and then when it went up to 65mph (freeway) right afterwards, I smelled a strange smokey chemical smell and the engine light came on immediately. I was two exits from work so was able to make it to work and called kia and another dealership (childress kia) right away. The vehicle only has 28,800 miles and kess than 2 years old. To make matters worse, I twice had to call kia back when one of their representatives and then the tow truck driver they had arranged to take the vehicle indicated that kia had placed a note in my file that my warranty was "pre-expired." it took calling back, being put on hold numerous times before they finally indicated that they had made an administrative mistake and, of course, still warrantied. This manufacturer has been nothing less than unresponsive and incompetent mechanically and administratively in resolving this vehicles major powertrain defects (past and current) and request investigation remain open until vehicle recalled and returned.