Kia Sephia headlights problems

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 80 miles · DE

I brought a new kia sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while driving at night, but no mechanic can locate the electrical short problem.

Filed Mar 22, 2006 · Lights · 7 miles · OR

The high beams are not aimed correctly. When you turn the high beams on they shine to the left into the oncoming lane of traffic. When you are driving and have them on the right half of the lane you are in the dark because the aim of the high beams are off. It is very hard to see if anything or anyone is on the right side of the road, and it makes it almost impossible to see the lane when you go around a right corner or curve. I have told the service department at the dealership and they said that there is no way to correct the problem due to how the headlamps were designed and installed.

Filed May 5, 2005 · Lights · CA

Headlight housing has severe discoloration after only a little over 4.5 years of use. Purchased the vehicle new and have had no accidents. Both side markers right next of the headlight housings are as clear as glass, however, the headlight has turned very dingy, dull yellow to the point where it is very hard to see at night. Upon discussing it with kia, they stated that the vehicle is out of warranty and that there was no other reported cases of this happening. I have spoken to the service manager where I get my vehicle serviced and had the headlights looked at stated likewise that kia knows that there is a problem, but will not do anything about it if the vehicle is out of warranty which it is because at the time of purchase there was only a 5/50 warranty. The price of the parts nearly $400.00 which I believe should not be charged to me since there is a clear defect in the headlight housing that is causing the discoloration to occur in such short time of ownership. This is a major safety issue that requires to be addressed by kia.

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 Jan 13, 2004 · Electrical, Lights · OH

Consumer stated that headlights changed from bright to dim constantly. First they were bright, then they gradually became dim. The consumer took the vehicle to several mechanics and was told by that there was nothing they could do because this was a manufacturer's defect. The headlights never stopped working, they just dimmed enough that it was hard to view in front while driving. *ak there was trouble with the keyless entry. The vehicle locked up would not unlock. While driving, the problem seemed worse at a moderate steady speed. *sc

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 42,000 miles · MD

I bought a 1998 kia sephia in feb of 2000 I have had to replace 3 gear shifters and three transmissions and the car has only been driven 2/3 of the time that I have owned this car. My signal light on one side has never really worked properly and the the headlight constantly shorts out. Of course now I'm out of warranty and still experiencing these problems and many more I dont know where else to turn because all I'm ever told is that's a kia for you. I still have a loan of this car and dont think it's right that almost every year the gear shifter and trans need to be replaced. I would great appreciate any help you can give me because I havent been able to drive the car for the last 2 months because the gear shifter wont come out of park and when it did the trans raced when reaching 2 gear. There is no way anyone should experience this much trouble whether being a used car or not. Please help me.

Filed Nov 8, 2002 · Lights · PA

Consumer states that while driving there is water inside of the headlight compartment causing a distraction to the consumer fairs. Dealer notified. Ts

Filed Jul 26, 2002 · Electrical · OH · fire

A fire started from main wiring harness under dash which LED to fuse recpticle under hood. Dealer and manufacturer have been notified. *ak when the wiring harness burned, the air bag, the radio, dashboard lights, the cooling fan and the A/C failed. This problem reoccurred several times. Tail light, turn signal, head lights, starter and the alternator also failed as the result of the wiring harness.

Filed Jan 15, 2002 · Brakes, Tires · AK

My car has been in the shop ten times! I cannot specify a part, most parts have been repaired. When I say ten times, it is in the shop for the 10th time now but needs 8 different repairs. (not ten total repairs) as far as safety, the tires (different brands) have to be replaced every season... 2 sets a year! The brakes have been replaced twice. They checked out okay last time it was in, but they constanty shudder and grind, and have completely gone out. They also squeal very loud at about 60 MPH while driving. Not sure if it is the brakes or tires. I just feel unsafe in my vehicle. It has been towed three times, leaving me stranded. My heater also quit working and I live in alaska. I don't know if these are common problems, but I have never owned a vehicle that I felt so unsafe in. I also got into a car accident in 200, in which I was hit head on by an explorer. I was driving about 25 MPH and she was driving about 10 MPH. It broke out my headlight, dented the hood up and put a hole in the bumper.... This much damage and the airbags never deployed! This was not called in to the police, I just let her go (it was her fault). I wish I had reported it.

Filed Aug 31, 2001 · Brakes, Steering · IL

I had to get new brakes put on within one week of owning the car 632 miles, and I've had a cracked brake line, fuse problems which they blame on the alarm, but another women had the same exact problem with no alarm attached, I've brought my car in numerous times regarding the brakes, and I was told that it was nothing. I just brought my car in with 23580 miles on it, and I was told that I needed new brakes and rotors, but that I would have to pay for. I have felt the same kind of brake problems ever since I bought this car, even when they said that there was nothing wrong. The car drags feeling like it's never going to stop, and then the brakes pump all the time. I've called kia regarding this and the fuse problem explaining, what if this causes a fuse to blow with my brakes, headlights, etc....and they did nothing. I also have buzzing coming from my engine with the ignition just switched to on. It sounds like a wiring problem, which I'm afraid could cause an electrical fire. You name it, this car has had numerous safety problems.