Electrical system under the dash has shorted out. The airconditioner, defrost, dash lights, are all unable to perform their duties. The fan blower is running constantly and no warning lights have issued a warning sign. The wires are bare and I have been told without replacing the entire assembly the car could catch on fire and blow-up the dash.
2000 Kia Sephia: fire, smoke or burning smell
5 of the 266 complaints about the 2000 Kia Sephia describe fire, smoke or burning smell.
- owner complaints
- 5
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- recalls
- 0
Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below
Fire, smoke or burning smell by model year
What owners say
The vehicle caught on fire. Ph *cb
Within a matter of seconds the engine compartment went form some black smoke to flames hot enough to melt interior items such as window visor and exterior items such as front tires. Firewall held. Fire occurred in front of hillsboro fire department bldg and was put out within minutes. Vehicle was totalled.
Oil light came on. Checked oil on 12/16/2000 & put in four quarts. Vehicle did not overflow. On 12/17/00 the oil light came on again at 65 MPH on s/b 15 fwy. On 12/19/00 car went to high desert kia where they found nothing worng with oil light. But they replaced a exhaust sensor sliencer and center pipe was replaced. On 12/20/00, I drove to work and loma linda with no problem. On my return from loma linda the oil light came back on. I pulled over checked the oil and added one quart to make sure. Oil light remained on. Drove to the 215 fwy and the car started to skip (jolt). This was at about 70 miles per hour. As I went down the fwy it became more profound. I pulled over and called tow service. Strong burning smell coming from vehicle. Bosh kia presntly has vehicle. They still claim there is nothing wrong with this vehicle.
While driving down highway, noticed smoke coming from dash area. Brakes were applied but failed. Kept trying brakes and finally managed to pull to side of road. Passengers left vehicle, looked under vehicle and saw flames. They got away from the car and within 5 or 10 minutes, whole car was in flames. Cause of fire is under investigation.
Service bulletins that may apply
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2000 Kia Sephia fire or smoke
Is fire, smoke or burning smell a common problem on the 2000 Kia Sephia?
5 of 266 owner complaints about the 2000 Kia Sephia (2%) mention fire, smoke or burning smell. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2000 Kia Sephia?
There are 0 recalls and 4 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2000 Kia Sephia
Check engine light 19No deployment 16Grinding brakes 13Door locks 13Transmission failure 13Stalling 12Brake failure 10Hesitation 7Overheating 6Won't start 6Knocking 5Seat belt 5
VIN decoder
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