2001 Kia Sephia: doors won't lock, open or latch

5 of the 107 complaints about the 2001 Kia Sephia describe doors won't lock, open or latch.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 2 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Doors won't lock, open or latch by model year

2001
5
2000
13
1999
5
1998
4
1997
2
1995
1

What owners say

Filed Jan 3, 2011 · Locks · 90,650 miles · 00

I just take over a 2001 kia sephia from my brother in-law and he warned me not to lock the car if I lock the car doors I might not get in or out some times, to day when I started the car but I could not close the door, then I tried to press the lock switch and slammed the door, the door was closed, and I drove the car to a coffee shop I parked my car there but I could not open the door, lucky me I can opened from the passenger side door and I got out from there. After I left the coffee shop I had to get in from the same door when I got out, when I got home I can open the door and the door locks seemed to be working properly, but after I left it for about 2 hours and it happened again the weather outside was about -6 degree, I went online checked there were many complaint with the same problem and same type of car that I had , I think this is a safety issue that should be pressured to kia let them recall all of the model which had the same problem to correct it!

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Locks · 500 miles · RI

In freezing tempatures door lock freeze up and are unable to be opened from either the inside or out. Also door latch will freeze as well causing door to not latch properly until car has warmed up.

Filed Dec 29, 2003 · Airbags, Electrical · FL · crash · fire · 1 injury

The sephia was hit at an angle on the right front corner at about 30 miles per hour. The airbags deloyed and the passenger side airbag and wiring immedeatly caught on fire. The cabin filled with dust from the bags and smoke. The power windows did not work at that point. The driver could not see the door handle. Someone opened the door to let her out. A passenger had recently exited the car or the accident could have been much worse. The driver side airbag delpoyed and went down so fast that the drivers head was jerked back and let drop so that it did not reduce the whiplash signifacantly.

Filed Jul 13, 2002 · Body, Electrical · TN

Bought new car. Several electrical malfunctions. Inside door locks (repaired 2 times). Horn malfunction (repaired 2 times). Spark plugs, wires, and coil (replaced 1 time). Rear defrost malfunction (repaired 1 time.) air filter cover screws and holes stripped out (replaced 1 time). Air conditioner fan-scraping noise (never repaired). Outside door locks malfunction (currently being looked at). Stick shift was "jumping around"-rear motor mount was bad (replaced 1 time). Knock sensor malfunction (replaced 1 time). Dash dials not working (replaced fuse 1 time). Problems started day after I purchased car-should have heeded the obvious warning! Do not buy kia!

Filed Dec 12, 2001 · Body · PA

Got out of vehicle to check my mail w/2 kids, 22 months & 6 months in car. Ignition & emergency brake left on. Came back to car, pulled door handle to open doors, and automatic power locks clicked and locked doors when I lifted the handle to open driver's side door. Kids were locked in unheated running car for over 1 hour. Police called, tow service got car open. Doors should 1) not lock when simply pulling on door handle to open door & 2) should not lock with key in ignition. Younger child slept through incident, but older child was very scared and distraught. This could have been a disaster had the car been in a garage (I.e. Carbon monoxide poisoning).