The seatbelt pretensioners is locked up & they (both driver/passenger) seatbelts "do not" reel back 2 provide securement of the passenger(s). Also, the electrical issue is the horn does not work even when there's a new fuse & horn. There's a defect in the steering wheel horn button.
Kia Sephia seat belt problems
38 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Kia Sephia describe seat belt won't latch or retract, most of them for the 1995 model year.
- owner complaints
- 38
- worst model year
- 1995
- typical mileage
- 42,000
Is there a fix? There are 2 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
No deployment 5Premature wear 1Hesitation 1Engine failure 1Door locks 1Grinding brakes 1Brake failure 1Airbag light 1
What owners say
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.
Dt*: the contact stated there is a problem with the front seat belt buckle. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 04v305000 on the vehicle regarding the seat belt buckle assembly. The parts needed to repair their vehicle are not available at their local dealership. The manufacturer confirmed the parts are not available. Updated 3/3/2006 -
Dt: the contact owned a 1997 kia sephia. Contact's vehicle rear ended another vehicle at 35 MPH . Upon impact, the frontal air bags did not deploy.there were three occupants in the car all wearing seat belts. The rear passenger side seat belt broke . The air bag warning light had not been on in this vehicle nor was it on after the crash. One person sustained injuries because of the seat belt. She broke two ribs.
Consumer was driving was involved in a collision head on . Seat belt broke, throwing the consumer threw the driver's windshield. Air bags did not deploy. Vehicle was totaled. *ak consumer is in a coma.
While driving at 37 MPH vehicle slid on a gravel surface and impacted a steel pool. Upon impact, passenger side seat belt disconnected, and passenger sustained injuries to the right side of head, eyes, and both knees. There is currently an open investigation eao4-007, on seat belt buckle failure.
Driver's side seat belt sounded as if it was locked/stuck in the retractor when it really was not. *ak the problem was similar to a recall on 1998 kia sephia (recall no. 02v‑216), which is also experienced by consumer on his 1999 kia sephia.
I was stopped at a yield sign due to oncoming traffic and was stuck from the rear from another vehicle. My seatbelt did not lock and my chest struck the steering wheel and rebounded into the seat. My seat moved forward causing difficulty exiting the vehicle.
Recall campaign on seat belt buckle. *ts requesting information associated with the recall campaign #(02v‑216) of seat belt buckle assemblies 1995-98 kia sephis and sportage vehicles.
Consumer was involved in a collision in which seat belt buckle released from latch plate. Subsequently the buckle hit the driver should and hit her in the head. The strap bruised her shoulder. The consumer believed that the brake did not work properly. *ak *slc *ph *nlm*ea04007*
Related recalls
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger and sport utility vehicles, the front safety belt buckles may emit a "click" sound during the buckling process that is similar to the sound emitted when a buckle is being latched, when it is not.
- Risk
- The latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began august 16, 2004. Owners should contact kia at 1‑800‑333‑4542.
Recall number 04V305000 · Recall details
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
- What is wrong
- On certain passenger vehicles, the safety belt buckle may "false latch" and expose the driver to unrestrained movement during a crash.
- Risk
- In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained, increasing the risk of personal injury.
- Remedy
- Owner notification began december 20, 2002. 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 02V216000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sephia seat belt
Which Kia Sephia years have seat belt won't latch or retract problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1995 (7 complaints), 1996 (7 complaints) and 1997 (7 complaints).
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