I 🅾wn a 2000 kia sephia & the front drivers seatbelt retracts slow& does not lock. The passenger seatbelt does not retract @ all. Additionally, the passenger front door lock does not lock as if the lock actuator has seized up.
Kia Sephia engine failure problems
18 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Kia Sephia describe engine failure, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 18
- worst model year
- 1998
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
- 20003
- 19993
- 199810
- 19972
Often reported together
Check engine light 8Transmission failure 2Water leak 1Stalling 1Seat belt 1Door locks 1Brake failure 1
What owners say
Dt*: the contact stated while driving a clanking noise was heard in the engine. Then, with no warning lights, the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the dealership, who determined there was sludge in the oil and the engine needed to be replaced. *ak updated 03/03/06.
Over the course of the previous few months, prior to the incident, I noticed that the 2000 kia sephia with 80000 miles began to have a hard time with the shifter. It became increasingly more difficult to get the car to shift from park to drive. It continually felt like the shifter was stuck. I ended up having the car towed via flatbed because the car refused to start. After getting it to a mechanic I was told that the transmission had failed, however, being the car only had 83000 miles I sought a second opinion. After contacting the dealer and describing the problem to one of the mechanics (who will not be named), I was told this is a common problem with this make and model kia. That the seal is faulty in the transmission casing and after a period of time dirt and/or water leaks into the linkage causing it to not shift. The way to correct is to either replace the transmission or to have the linkage redone and re-lubricated for proper operation. A third opinion revealed the same information. A kill switch does not allow the car to start unless the car is in park or neutral. So once the automatic transmission was manually shifted into park the car started immediately. It was indicated this problem is common and will more than likely re-occur but that the "treatment" should hold for at least a year. After $485.00 in repairs not including the tow the transmission is beginning to act up again. I don't want this happening to other people and wanted to make sure that this complaint is lodged and urge that transmission issue records be seized because it seems to be a pretty common knowledge thing among mechanics that this happens on this make and model kia sephia. The seals had to be repaired and the linkage properly lubricated to correct the issue. However, reading the kia website for information about transmissions this is supposed to be a non-serviceable area and the dealer is supposed to replace the transmission to the tune of $1800.00 plus labor and taxes.
While driving the brakes failed, the vehicle had to be stopped by pulling the emergency brake at which time the consumer noticed a fire under the hood of the vehicle, possibly brake or engine failure. Nlm
While traveling and without any indication transmission hose bursted, causing transmission fluid to leak and spray on wires resulting in a fire. *ak dealer did not replace wiring, but instead applied electrical tape over burnt wires and casings, consumer was advised by personal mechanic that transmission fluid is not flammable, therefore could not have been the cause of the fire, consumer has a lawyer to investigate, possible engine failure.
Engine needs to be replaced. Dealer said engine was sludged up due to no regular oil changes. Consumer has had regular oil changes done at very same dealership, consumer does not believe that is the reason engine needs to be replaced. Kia is of no help.
Engine was replaced at 3062 brakes have been checked by a kia rep and I was told "breaks are not ment to stop the car only slow it down "
Transmission was replaced twice/ the engine seized at 30000 miles/ the brakes warped three times and were replaced 3 times/ the windows are hard to open and close/ the brake pedal is extremely low.
Possible engine failure resulted in vehicle fire. Nlm
Possible engine failure causing check engine light to illuminate. Nlmm
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Manufacturing changes were made to the orvr spring force and float wire length reducing the valve angle. Certain valves caused fuel shut off before the tank reached 95% of nominal capacity.
- Risk
- This would cause customers to add more fuel to the tank causing fuel spillback or spitback from the fuel filler neck.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the orvr valve. Owner notification began november 13, 2000. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 00V175000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sephia engine failure
Which Kia Sephia years have engine failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (10 complaints), 1999 (3 complaints) and 2000 (3 complaints).
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