Seat belts work improperly, windshield wipers don't work, fuel pump is working inefficiently.
Kia Sephia wipers problems
32 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Kia Sephia describe windshield wiper failure, most of them for the 1998 model year.
- owner complaints
- 32
- worst model year
- 1998
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel pump 5Transmission failure 3Stalling 3Premature wear 3Check engine light 3Won't start 2Fuel gauge 2Tire blowout 1
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 1998 kia sephia. The contact stated that when she activated the windshield wipers, the wiper scratched the windshield and did not clear the rain. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer and the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign id number: 99v271000 (visibility) however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where they stated that the windshield wiper motor needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2000 kia sephia. While driving less than 60 MPH, the windshield wipers stopped working. The failure occurred during heavy rain conditions and the wiper motor continued to activate; however, the wipers went into a vertical position and would no longer operate. The failure and current mileages were 138,000.
The vehicle had numerous recalls and problems. When the consumer put fuel in the vehicle it leaked out. When it did hit she had to play around with it, until the nozzle was in the tank just right, then it would take the fuel. Also, the vehicle was had problems with the brakes, and rotors wearing out too quickly and the master cylinder was cracked and leaking brake fluid. The consumer had the vehicle in the repair shop at least 10 times and needed to be returned to the repair shop. *ak the fuel tank problem had been worked on four times and still was not fixed. There were gear shift problems where the shifter would stick, multiple wiring console light problems, the wiper blade links were defective and caused the blade to come apart. *scc *jb referenced in rq03-006
While driving approximately 65 MPH, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred.*ak brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.
Windshield wipers not clearing off properly, reporting zero visibility when it rains. Windshield wiper blades were replaced on two occasions, but problem still reoccurring. Feel free to provide any further information concerning this matter.
Windshield wiper motor came loose while consumer was driving and windshield wipers stopped working. Contacted dealer . Please provide more information.
The car wouldn't start shortly after I bought it. It took several trips to the dealer in order for them to replace the starter. After the starter was replaced the problem continued and the flywheel was finally replaced. Approximately one week prior to receiving a recall notice on the wiper blades the wipers stopped working during heavy rain on a highway which almost caused me to get into an accident. I have had electrical problems such as the ceiling light going on and off whenever I turned corners. The car battery was even replaced after the new starter and flywheel were put in because the car still had problems starting. Recently the transmission had to be replaced. A week after the transmission was replaced the overdrive light and the engine light started blinking on and off. The car finally stalled and had to be towed. The car was given back to me and I was told that a gasket in the transmission was leaking. A week after that the over drive light and the engine light started flashing again and the car starting driving as if it was stuck in first gear. The car finally stalled again and wouldn't move.
In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... Copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.
Intermittently windshield wipers become inoperable, obstructing view of driver. Dealer has been notified.
Related recalls
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer: linkages
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The ball socket on the windshield wiper link may be out of tolerance resulting in the link disengaging from the wiper motor drive under load, such as pushing against ice, snow or other resistance. Also the wiper arm retaining nut could be inadequately tightened allowing the wiper arm to slip and/or stop functioning.
- Risk
- This condition could cause impairment of visibility in inclement weather increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the windshield wiper link and also properly tighten the wiper arm retaining nuts.
Recall number 99V271000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sephia wipers
Which Kia Sephia years have windshield wiper failure problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1998 (14 complaints), 1999 (12 complaints) and 2000 (3 complaints).
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