U.S. public vehicle records

2000 Kia SEPHIA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

266 owner complaints analyzed

1 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2000 model year. Data updated: 2026-09-30 (September 30, 2026). 76 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Power Train:Automatic Transmission is the most frequently named component, appearing in 34 of 266 complaints (12.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
Topic	Matching reports	Share of complaints
Braking behavior	83	31.2%
Transmission and shifting	32	12.0%
Electrical and battery issues	17	6.4%
Engine operation	12	4.5%
Steering behavior	8	3.0%
Fuel system concerns	6	2.3%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Power Train:Automatic Transmission

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components

Air Bags:Frontal

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc

Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline

Electrical System

Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch

Component breakdown data
Category	Count
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	34
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	20
Air Bags:Frontal	18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	18
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	17
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	15
Electrical System	14
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	13

Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 34; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components: 20; Air Bags:Frontal: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip: 18; Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc: 17; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 15; Electrical System: 14; Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch: 13

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000

25,000 to 49,999

50,000 to 74,999

75,000 to 99,999

100,000 to 149,999

150,000 and above

Under 25,000: 17; 25,000 to 49,999: 19; 50,000 to 74,999: 21; 75,000 to 99,999: 9; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 3

50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (21). 190 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

1999

2000

2001

2002

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2014

2015

2017

2018

2022

1999: 4; 2000: 48; 2001: 61; 2002: 43; 2003: 42; 2004: 25; 2005: 10; 2006: 11; 2007: 5; 2008: 4; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 2; 2014: 1; 2015: 2; 2017: 2; 2018: 1; 2022: 1

Pattern summary

Power Train:Automatic Transmission leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 83 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 32 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 17 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10001621 · 2002-12-30 (December 30, 2002)

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER REPLACE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001621 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10001831 · 2003-01-02 (January 2, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. TS ALSO THE DOORS WILL NOT SHUT CLOSE WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. *TT

Owner-reported narrative. 62,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10001831 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002023 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)

CONSUMER FEELS THERE IS A DEFECT IN THE VEHICLES' BRAKES AND ROTORS, CAUSE THEY WEAR EXCESSIVELY WITHOUT BEING USED EXCESSIVELY. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

Owner-reported narrative. 23,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10002023 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002176 · 2003-01-07 (January 7, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION AND DRIVERS NOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES. TS CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AREA, ARM AND A BROKEN NOSE. *JG

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002176 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10003360 · 2003-01-24 (January 24, 2003)

THE SENSOR/GAS LEVEL IN THE GAS TANK WENT OUT WHEN THE CAR HAD 53000 + OR - ON IT AND IT COST US $300 TO FIX IT. THE DRIVER'S DOOR DOESN'T SEAL. AND NOW, AS WE LEFT A STORE TONIGHT, THE FLASHING (YES FLASHING) CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE CAR IS SPUTTERING AND CLANGING FROM UNDER THE BONNET. IT IS IN THE EVENING AND A FRIDAY NIGHT. I OPENED THE HOOD AND IT SMELLED FUNKY/BURNT. IT WAS SPUTTERING. THE CAR CURRENTLY HAS 72000 MILES ON IT. I'LL TRY TO GET IT LOOKED AT IN THE MORROW.

Owner-reported narrative. 72,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10003360 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005599 · 2003-02-10 (February 10, 2003)

IT DOES NOT SEEM LIKE I'M ABLE TO GET THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY FULL. AS SOON AS THE PUMP CLICKS OFF YOU CANNOT GET ANOTHER DROP IN AND THEN WHEN I LEAVE THE STATION AND GO ONLY A FEW MILES THE GAS GAUGE IS ALREADY MOVED OFF FULL. REFERENCED IN RQ03-006

Owner-reported narrative. 50,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005599 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10006939 · 2002-08-08 (August 8, 2002)

THIS IS THE THIRD TIME TO BE REPLACED AND FIXED (TRANSMISSION). *AK *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**765382

Owner-reported narrative. 9,887 miles reported. Look up ODI 10006939 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10007396 · 2003-02-14 (February 14, 2003)

THE BRAKES FAILED.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 20,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10007396 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

04V305000 · Seat Belts:Front:Buckle Assembly

Reported: 2004-06-24 (June 24, 2004)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

Inspect model-year patterns, reported mileage, monthly activity and the evidence behind each signal.

Data completeness

266 unique complaints in this selection. Analysis snapshot: 2026-09-30.

28.6%Usable mileage76 / 266 records

81.6%Valid incident date217 / 266 records

100.0%Valid filing date266 / 266 records

81.6%Ordered incident and filing dates217 / 266 records

Missing, zero and invalid mileage is excluded. Dates after the snapshot are excluded. Examples are limited selections, not a representative sample.

Problems by model year

Model-wide comparison of the eight most reported components across the model. Cells show counts and shares within each model year. Open a cell for source examples.

From model yearThrough model year

Component complaint heatmap
Component	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	212.5% ODI 816870 ENGINE: WHEN DRIVING AND DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY DIES, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. AK CONSUMER STATED SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ALSO THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.JB Look up ODI 816870 at NHTSA ↗	69.4% ODI 505291 TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE. Look up ODI 505291 at NHTSA ↗	1210.2% ODI 521446 BATTERY FAILED. Look up ODI 521446 at NHTSA ↗	3215.6% ODI 538116 ENGINE STALLS EACH TIME THE CLUTCH IS ENGAGED AND HAS LEFT THE DRIVER STRANDED ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. PROBLEM IS WORSE WHEN THE ENGINE IS WARM. Look up ODI 538116 at NHTSA ↗	6513.2% ODI 540131 NOISY ENGINE. TWO ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR AND NOISE PERSIST. Look up ODI 540131 at NHTSA ↗	5212.1% ODI 10026058 · 65,000 mi REPEATED PROBLEM WITH BATTERY. REPLACED 3 TIMES. NEVER LIKED TO START, ALWAYS SHIMMIED.RETURNED TO DEALER FOR TUNE UP. CAR WAS RETURNED WITH MORE PROBLEMS THAT TURNED IN WITH. CAR WOULDN'T KEEP A CONSTANT GAS FLOW.*AK TRADED IT IN AND THE DEALER SAID THE MOTOR WAS BAD AND HEADED FOR A TOTAL BREAK DOWN. WHEN IT DIED - IT WAS THREE YEARS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES. Look up ODI 10026058 at NHTSA ↗	155.6% ODI 10054629 · 19,000 mi I BOUGHT A 2000 KIA SEPHIA ON NOVEMBER 27, 2003. THIS CAR HAS THE BALANCE OF A 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS USING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES AND AFTER I CHANGED THE OIL IT WAS USING A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR 15,000 MILE SERVICING AND TOOK IT BACK ABOUT THIS OIL PROBLEM. THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED WAS PERMISSION TO PULL THE HEADS, AFTER WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS BURNT AND THE ONLY CAUSE FOR T… Look up ODI 10054629 at NHTSA ↗	87.5% ODI 564218 THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS LOOSE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *YH Look up ODI 564218 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	23.1% ODI 821436 WHEN BRAKES ARE APPLIED INTERMITTENTLY THERE IS A LOUD GRINDING NOISE AND THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE ROTORS AND THE BRAKE PADS. *AK Look up ODI 821436 at NHTSA ↗	54.2% ODI 533746 BOTH FRONT BRAKES FAILED. Look up ODI 533746 at NHTSA ↗	2110.2% ODI 703170 BRAKES FAILED CAUSING MAJOR PULSATING AND EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES. FRONT BRAKE PADS REPLACED TWICE BEFORE. ON OCTOBER '98 REPLACED WITH NEW DESIGN SHOE PAD. FRONT ROTORS ALSO REPLACED ON OCTOBER '98. NOW ONCE AGAIN EXPERIENCING EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCES - MAJOR PULSATING OF BRAKES HAS RETURNED FOR A THIRD TIME. PREVIOUS REPAIRS HAVE SHOWN THERE IS A PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES THE FRONT DISC PADS TO WARP AND WEAR OUT ROTOR. Look up ODI 703170 at NHTSA ↗	7415.1% ODI 606709 DISC BRAKE FAILED. YH Look up ODI 606709 at NHTSA ↗	6014.0% ODI 560283 BRAKES SMELL LIKE BURNING PLASTIC WHEN APPLIED GOING DOWN A HILL, BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON 4 SEPARATE OCCASIONS, 8-30-99, 11-29-99, 3-13-00 AND 2-12-01. Look up ODI 560283 at NHTSA ↗	176.4% ODI 727984 MY CAR VIBRATES AND DELAYS IN STOPPING DO TO THE BRAKES THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT.*AK Look up ODI 727984 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	16.3% ODI 958132 SHIFTED INTO REVERSE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY. RESULTING IN VEHICLE ACCIDENT. TT Look up ODI 958132 at NHTSA ↗	710.9% ODI 505291 TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE. Look up ODI 505291 at NHTSA ↗	65.1% ODI 523551 STEERING MECHANISM FAILED. Look up ODI 523551 at NHTSA ↗	167.8% ODI 534727 SYNCHRONIZER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS/VAPOR HOSE/AIR BAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. Look up ODI 534727 at NHTSA ↗	377.5% ODI 10002299 THE TRANSMISSION WAS VERY BAD AND DEFECTIVE. VEHICLE WOULD STOP WITHOUT ANY WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER 3 TIMES AND EACH TIME THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. TS Look up ODI 10002299 at NHTSA ↗	4811.2% ODI 10006736 · 500 mi WHILE DRIVING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION KEEPS SKIPPING. THE DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES AND THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST. PH Look up ODI 10006736 at NHTSA ↗	3412.8% ODI 10001621 CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. DEALER REPLACE TRANSMISSION THREE TIMES. TS Look up ODI 10001621 at NHTSA ↗	1413.1% ODI 10018677 · 32,900 mi THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAS FAILED ON ME TWICE. THE CAR IS NOT EVEN 2 YEARS OLD. *NLM Look up ODI 10018677 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10097314 WHILE SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE HESITATED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AT A HIGH SPEED. THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE WITH EXCESSIVE SPEED. THE DRIVER TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AND RESTARTED IT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE DRIVER THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID SWITCH NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10097314 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	212.5% ODI 816870 ENGINE: WHEN DRIVING AND DOWNSHIFT TO SLOW DOWN THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THE FACT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN, WHEN DOWNSHIFTING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE JUST COMPLETELY DIES, THIS DOES NOT HAPPEN INTERMITTENTLY. AK CONSUMER STATED SEATBELTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, ALSO THE BRAKES WERE REPLACED.JB Look up ODI 816870 at NHTSA ↗	46.3% ODI 504569 BRAKES FAILED FOUR TIMES. *DH Look up ODI 504569 at NHTSA ↗	97.6% ODI 507563 STEERING LOCKED UP MOMENTARILY, UPON RELEASING, DRIVER LOSS CONTROL, RESULTING IN ACCIDENT/INJURY, ALSO BRAKES FAILED TO STOP VEHICLE. Look up ODI 507563 at NHTSA ↗	178.3% ODI 535057 FRONT SUSPENSION/BRAKES AND STEERING FAILED. Look up ODI 535057 at NHTSA ↗	6613.4% ODI 543621 BRAKES AND ROTORS PULSATING. Look up ODI 543621 at NHTSA ↗	337.7% ODI 548025 DURING THE RAIN THE DOOR STICKS. YH Look up ODI 548025 at NHTSA ↗	207.5% ODI 10016741 · 3,000 mi IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ARE BEING SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THEY TELL MY THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, BUT NOTHING MORE IS DONE. Look up ODI 10016741 at NHTSA ↗	21.9% ODI 564920 A PEBBLE GOT INTO THE TIRE, FROM THERE IT GOT LODGED BETWEEN THE ROTOR AND THE BRAKE PAD AND WAS CAUSING A SCREECHING SOUND, KIA STATED THAT THIS IS NOT A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *SLC Look up ODI 564920 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor	212.5% ODI 706734 THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED SINCE A THERMOMETER DIDN'T TELL THE ENGINE IT WAS HOT. WHICH BLEW THE HEAD GASKETS, MELTED THE SPARK PLUGS, TOOK OUT THE WATER PUMP, AND SO OVER HEATED THE ENGINE BLOCK. THE FRONT ROTORS WENT OUT TWICE. SOUNDS LIKE A WIND TUNNEL, SINCE THE SEALS AREN'T GOOD. THE CAR DOESN'T ACCELERATE PROPERLY WHEN THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED. NEVER DRIVE IT DURING A 20 MPH WINDY DAY. IT GET GOOD GAS MILEAGE - STILL AT 29 TO 33 MPG. *AK Look up ODI 706734 at NHTSA ↗	46.3% ODI 523635 AIR CONDITIONING PIPE BROKE. Look up ODI 523635 at NHTSA ↗	75.9% ODI 511338 EMERGENCY BRAKE LEVER BROKE. Look up ODI 511338 at NHTSA ↗	2311.2% ODI 534727 SYNCHRONIZER FOR TRANSMISSION FAILED. ALSO, WIRING HARNESS/VAPOR HOSE/AIR BAG LIGHT MALFUNCTIONED. Look up ODI 534727 at NHTSA ↗	5310.8% ODI 10000371 · 50,000 mi THE BRAKES ON THIS CAR ARE TERRIBLE! I HAVE BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP SINCE THIS CAR WAS BOUGHT. I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS PAD AND ROTOR REPLACEMENTS. I EVEN GOT INTO A REAR-END ACCIDENT 1 1/2 YEARS AGO THAT I COULD HAVE AVOIDED WITH COMPETENT BRAKES. I NOW HAVE TO REPLACE THE DRUMS AND REAR SHOES BECAUSE THEY HAVE BEEN WORKING OVERTIME TO COMPENSATE FOR THE POOR FRONT BRAKES. THANKS A BUNCH KIA! WORST CAR I'VE EVER DRIVEN. Look up ODI 10000371 at NHTSA ↗	337.7% ODI 10000860 DEFECTIVE BRAKES AND ROTORS ON 199 KIA SEPHIA, HAVE BEEN REPLACED SEVERAL TIMES. CAUSES WEAR ON TIRES AND PRESENTS AN UNSAFE CONDITION. Look up ODI 10000860 at NHTSA ↗	134.9% ODI 10043482 · 21,788 mi CAR DIED ON THE ROAD FOR NO REASON. THEN CAR WOULD NOT START. DRIVER VERIFIED THAT GEAR-SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN "PARK" POSITION. JUST GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP DUE TO GETTING THE CAR INTO OR OUT OF PARK. REPAIRS OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS HAVE BEEN RE-LUBRICATED THE GEAR-SHIFT CABLE (1ST REPAIR). REPLACE THE GEAR-SHIFT CABLE (2ND REPAIR). THE LAST (3RD) REPAIR WAS A RE-LUBRICATION OF THE REPLACED GEAR-SHIFT CABLE AND RE-ADJUSTMENT OF THE LINKAGE SO CAR COULD RECOGNIZE T… Look up ODI 10043482 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	16.3% ODI 781974 FRONT BRAKE ROTORS WORE OUT. Look up ODI 781974 at NHTSA ↗	46.3% ODI 813774 INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. MANUFACTURER TOLD OWNER THAT THE BRAKING SYSTEM ON VEHICLE DID NOT NEED TO BE REPLACED OR REPAIRED. MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT. OWNER TOOK HER CAR IN FOR REPAIRS 3 TIMES, AND MANUFACTURER DID NOT TELL HER THAT BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK Look up ODI 813774 at NHTSA ↗	1210.2% ODI 10099333 ABS BRAKING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER NOTICED WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK Look up ODI 10099333 at NHTSA ↗	94.4% ODI 549554 BRAKE SYSTEM CONTINUALLY MAKES NOISE, SEVERAL REPLACEMENTS AND REPAIRS HOWEVER CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE NOISE, UNABLE TO RECTIFY. MJS Look up ODI 549554 at NHTSA ↗	459.2% ODI 10091514 THE CONSUMER APPLIED THE BRAKES AND THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THE DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED MORE THAN ONCE AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB Look up ODI 10091514 at NHTSA ↗	388.9% ODI 10088003 · 70,000 mi WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL AT 35 MPH THE PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO REAR END ANOTHER VEHICLE IN FRONT OF THEM. UPON IMPACT, NEITHER FRONTAL AIR BAG DEPLOYED. PASSENGER SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, AND REFUSED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE. *AK Look up ODI 10088003 at NHTSA ↗	186.8% ODI 10038355 THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT AT THIS TIME, THE VICTIM WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION.*AK Look up ODI 10038355 at NHTSA ↗	32.8% ODI 880524 WHEN ATTEMPTING TO MAKE AN EMERGENCY STOP IN TRAFFIC THAT CAME TO A SUDDEN HOLT, ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DID NOT RESPOND. PEDAL WAS APPLIED, AND VEHICLE JUST BEGAN SLIDING, HITTING ANOTHER VEHICLE IN REAR. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, AND SEAT BELTS DID NOT RESTRAIN. KIA HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK Look up ODI 880524 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Air Bags:Frontal	16.3% ODI 870756 VEHICLE WAS IN A N HEAD-ON ACCIDENT AT 45 MPH, AND AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED. *AK Look up ODI 870756 at NHTSA ↗	46.3% ODI 806572 AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DURING FRONT END ACCIDENT; VEHICLE HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE AT STANDSTILL, NO WARNING LIGHT ON DASHBOARD; VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *AK Look up ODI 806572 at NHTSA ↗	97.6% ODI 10002254 CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING GOING 30MPH THE VEHICLE WAS IN A HEAD ON ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THE SEAT BELT NEVER LOCKED AND BOTH AIRBAGS NEVER DEPLOYED. TS Look up ODI 10002254 at NHTSA ↗	2210.7% ODI 10003911 DRIVER'S AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING. VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A COLLISION. AK Look up ODI 10003911 at NHTSA ↗	214.3% ODI 10034101 · 40,000 mi THE CONSUMER REAR ENDED ANOTHER MOTORIST AND THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOYAK THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE BRAKES FAILED. JB Look up ODI 10034101 at NHTSA ↗	255.8% ODI 10019758 · 69,000 mi THE VEHICLE WAS IN A FRONTAL COLLISION WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH BUT NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NLM Look up ODI 10019758 at NHTSA ↗	186.8% ODI 10002176 WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION AND DRIVERS NOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES. TS CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AREA, ARM AND A BROKEN NOSE. *JG Look up ODI 10002176 at NHTSA ↗	1514.0% ODI 10020971 · 65 mi WHILE GOING 65 ON THE FREEWAY I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO THE CENTER DIVIDER. THE VEHICLE HIT THE DIVIDER FROM THE FRONT ENDING UP ON ITS SIDE. VEHICLE IS TOTALED AND AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. OBVIOUSLY THIS ISN'T THE FIRST TIME THE AIR BAGS ON THIS VEHICLE HAVE FAILED TO DEPLOY SOMETIMES CAUSING SEVERE INJURIES. A COMPLAINT WILL BE FILED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THE MANUFACTURER. *NLM Look up ODI 10020971 at NHTSA ↗	116.7% ODI 10068592 · 18,000 mi DURING A 35 MPH FRONTAL COLLISION FRONT AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK Look up ODI 10068592 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.
Unknown Or Other	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	710.9% ODI 505291 TRANSMISSION SLIPS OUT OF OVERDRIVE. Look up ODI 505291 at NHTSA ↗	1714.4% ODI 10004998 THE CENTER OF THE DASHBOARD NEAR THE WINDSHIELD VENTS HAS PEELED AWAY OVER THE LAST YEAR OR SO FROM THE DASH FRAME. RIGHT NOW IT IS STANDING AROUND 3" FROM THE FRAME AND I AM AFRAID THAT IT WILL CONTINUE TO TRANSGRESS INTO MY LINE OF SIGHT. I HAVE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER ON THE CAR DOES NOT WORK WELL ANYMORE SINCE THE PEELING HAS OCCURRED. THE DASH IS ALSO LIFTING AWAY FROM THE FRAME JUST ABOVE AND TO THE RIGHT OF THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. MY CAR IS EQUIPPED WITH DUAL FRONT AIR BAGS AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS WARPING OF THE DASH MA… Look up ODI 10004998 at NHTSA ↗	209.8% ODI 10003651 · 89,000 mi THE VEHICLES DASHBOARD IS BECOMING DETACHED FROM THE FRAME ITS MOUNTED ON. CONSUMER IS CONCERNED BECAUSE OF THE ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDERNEATH. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*JB Look up ODI 10003651 at NHTSA ↗	295.9% ODI 10008300 · 19,830 mi PRE OWNED VEHICLE PURCHASED IN VERY GOOD CONDITION AND STILL IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. AT PURCHASE FRONT OF DASHBOARD WAS SLIGHTLY WARPED. SINCE PURCHASE, FRONT OF DASHBOARD HAS BECOME INCREASINGLY WARPED, DEFROST VENTS ARE SEVERELY CRACKED, CAUSING FRONT WINDSHIELD DEFROST NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY.*JB Look up ODI 10008300 at NHTSA ↗	153.5% ODI 10070685 · 61,000 mi THE HORN STOPPED WORKING ON MY 1999 KIA SEPHIA WITH 61,000 MILES. THE DEALERSHIP (WHICH ALSO SELLS AND SERVICES FORDS) ESTIMATED THE REPAIR AT $50 TO $100, WHICH I AUTHORIZED. A FEW HOURS LATER THE SERVICE MANAGER CALLED AND TOLD ME TO FORGET IT. DUE TO A TOTALLY BIZARRE DESIGN, THE HORN IS INTEGRATED INTO THE AIRBAG UNIT AND FIXING THE HORN REQUIRES REPLACING THE ENTIRE AIRBAG ASSEMBLY. THE COST: $650 FOR THE PART AND $150 LABOR, TOTAL $800. IF THE HORN DESIGN WERE NORMAL, HE SAID IT WOULD HAVE COST LESS THAN $100. I CALLED KIA OF AMERI… Look up ODI 10070685 at NHTSA ↗	124.5% ODI 10161867 DASHBOARD WARPED AND BROKE THE DEFROSTER VENT. SAFETY HAS BEEN GREATLY COMPROMISED BECAUSE AIR IS NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DIRECTED TOWARDS THE WINDSHIELD DURING DEFOGGING/DEFROSTING. *JB Look up ODI 10161867 at NHTSA ↗	43.7% ODI 753439 ON BOARD DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM (CHECK ENG. LIGHT) MONITORS EMISSIONS, BUT CAN BE TRIPPED OFF BY A LOOSE FUEL FILLER CAP AS PER THE OWNER'S MANUAL EXPLANATION SEC. 4-32. IT SEEMS THAT THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN SUCH A LIGHT CAN COME ON WITH SUCH REGULARITY THAT IT IS LISTED IN THE VEHICLE OWNER'S MANUAL AND YET THE OWNER IS SUPPOSED TO HEED THE LIGHT EACH AND EVERY TIME REGARDLESS OF HIS OR HER DRIVING PREDICAMENT? SUCH AN OBVIOUSLY FAULTY SENSOR SYSTEM SHOULDN'T BE ALLOWED IN CARS. I WAS TOLD BY MY SERVICE DEALER THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED FOR ALL … Look up ODI 753439 at NHTSA ↗	00.0% No examples available for this selection.	00.0% No examples available for this selection.

Darker cells indicate a larger share of submitted complaints. Components overlap. This measures complaint composition, not failure probability.

Failure mileage by component

Median and middle 50% of usable owner-reported mileages. Ranges require at least five records.

Component failure mileage distribution
Component	Mileage range (25th–75th percentile)	Median	Usable records	Examples
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	14,915–48,750 mi	30,369 mi	10	ODI 10006939 · 9,887 mi THIS IS THE THIRD TIME TO BE REPLACED AND FIXED (TRANSMISSION). AK PH NLM DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS765382 Look up ODI 10006939 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10012159 · 50,000 mi THERE WAS A DELAY IN THE SHIFTING OF TRANSMISSION WHILE DRIVING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. NLM Look up ODI 10012159 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10018598 · 549 mi OUR KIA SEPHIA 2000 IS A LEMON. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WARE AND SHAKING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. WE RECEIVED THE CAR WITH A DEAD BATTERY. WE ARE ON OUR THIRD BATTERY. WE WERE ON OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES BEFORE 30,000 MILES. THE GEAR SHIFT WILL STICK SO THAT YOU CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. THE WEATHER MOLDING IS FALLING OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND THEY COULD NOT KEEP IT FROM COMING ON. *JB Look up ODI 10018598 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	Too few reports for a range	3,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10016741 · 3,000 mi IN THE 3 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR, THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED 4 TIMES AND ARE BEING SCHEDULED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. EVERYTIME I TAKE IT IN THEY TELL MY THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE, BUT NOTHING MORE IS DONE. Look up ODI 10016741 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	Too few reports for a range	58,000 mi	3 (sparse)	ODI 10086662 · 41,000 mi WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHERE I WAS THE PASSENGER I ALSO WAS THE OWNER OF THE CAR. KIA SOPHIA 2000. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT HOLD CAUSING MY HEAD AND HAND TO BE THROWN INTO THE WINDSHIELD TWICE. MY HAND WENT THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD MY HEAD BROKE THE WINDSHIELD. MY CAR WAS TOTALED OUT FROM THE ACCIDENT BUT I FEEL AS THOUGH KIA IS AT FAULT FOR THE AMOUNT OF INJURIES I RECEIVED DUE TO THE FAULT OF THEIR SEAT BELTS. I HAVE TO HAVE EPIDORALS ON MY LOWER SPINE AND SURGERY ON MY NECK. ALSO THE AIR BAGS ON NEITHER SIDE CAME OUT. JB Look up ODI 10086662 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10133738 · 58,000 mi PURCHASED VEHICLE APPROXIMATELY 10 DAYS BEFORE ACCIDENT AND NOTICED IMMEDIATELY THAT THE BRAKES WERE "MUSHY" AND STOPPING DISTANCE SEEMED UNUSUAL. INDIVIDUAL SELLING VEHICLE (NOT DEALER) STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE. IT WAS HARD FOR ME TO BE CERTAIN SINCED MY PREVIOUS VEHICLE IS KNOWN FOR VERY TOUCHY BRAKES AND I THOUGHT IT MIGHT JUST BE AN ADJUSTMENT PERIOD. HOWEVER, I AM A CAREFUL AND PATIENT DRIVER AND IN 20 YEARS OF DRIVING HAVE HAD ONLY 4 SPEEDING TICKETS AND ZERO ACCIDENTS UNTIL I DROVE THIS CAR. AFTER APPROXIMATELY 9-… Look up ODI 10133738 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10239673 · 148,000 mi HIT A LIGHT POLE/AIR BAGS DID NOT INFLATE. TR Look up ODI 10239673 at NHTSA ↗
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Too few reports for a range	73,000 mi	4 (sparse)	ODI 10081558 · 95,500 mi WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WHEN BRAKING THE BRAKES FELT VERY MUSHY. CONSUMER DEPRESSED THE BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. ALSO, THERE WAS EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE BEFORE VEHICLE STOPPED. CONSUMER CLAIMED THAT NEW BRAKES WERE INSTALLED LAST YEAR. AK Look up ODI 10081558 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10082790 · 2,000 mi I BOUGHT MY 2000 KIA SEPHIA AROUND SEPTEMBER OF 1999. I HAD A NEW SET OF BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 2000 MILES, AGAIN AT 11000 MILES, 20000, NEEDLESS TO SAY I HAVE HAD ABOUT 6 SETS OF BRAKES AND FOUR SETS OF ROTORS. NOT TO MENTION CALIPERS A COUPLE OF TIMES. I TRIED TO DECLARE THE LEMON LAW ON THIS PIECE OF WORK BUT, THE DEALERS WOULD NOT LISTEN. I DID MAKE A FORMAL COMPLAINT PRIOR. AFTER ALL I HAVE BEEN THRU I AM SO SICK I HAVE ALL BUT, GIVEN UP... MY BRAKES NOW, OVERHEAT AND SMELL, THE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, IF I HAD TO ACTUALLY STOP … Look up ODI 10082790 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10090649 · 66,000 mi REAR BRAKES LOCKED UP WHEN WET. AK Look up ODI 10090649 at NHTSA ↗
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Too few reports for a range	19,000 mi	1 (sparse)	ODI 10054629 · 19,000 mi I BOUGHT A 2000 KIA SEPHIA ON NOVEMBER 27, 2003. THIS CAR HAS THE BALANCE OF A 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY AND ONLY HAD 15,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. I NOTICED THAT IT WAS USING A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES AND AFTER I CHANGED THE OIL IT WAS USING A QUART EVERY 500 MILES. I HAD ALREADY TAKEN IT IN TO THE DEALER FOR 15,000 MILE SERVICING AND TOOK IT BACK ABOUT THIS OIL PROBLEM. THE FIRST THING THEY ASKED WAS PERMISSION TO PULL THE HEADS, AFTER WHICH THEY INFORMED ME THAT THE TOP OF THE MOTOR WAS BURNT AND THE ONLY CAUSE FOR T… Look up ODI 10054629 at NHTSA ↗
Electrical System	34,339–53,725 mi	35,600 mi	7	ODI 10040869 · 42,450 mi ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO APPEARENT REASON IN TRAFFIC Look up ODI 10040869 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10090210 · 50 mi CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE LIGHTS WON'T STAY ON. CONSUMER REPLACED FUSES SEVERAL TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURRED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, BUT CONSUMER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. AK Look up ODI 10090210 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10090326 · 35,600 mi THE VEHICLE CUT OFF. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS DEFECTIVE. ALSO, THE ALARM SYSTEM WAS DEFECTIVE. AK THE DASH BOARD LIGHT WAS INTERMITTENT. SC JB Look up ODI 10090326 at NHTSA ↗
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	45,799–62,000 mi	50,000 mi	5	ODI 10001831 · 62,000 mi CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT DOOR LOCKS WILL NOT LOCK PROPERLY CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. TS ALSO THE DOORS WILL NOT SHUT CLOSE WHEN WEATHER IS COLD. TT Look up ODI 10001831 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10051436 · 45,799 mi RIGHT FRONT DOOR WOULD NOT OPEN. DOOR LATCH NOT UNLOCKING. Look up ODI 10051436 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 10137468 · 70,000 mi WHEN THE WEATHER IS COLD, THE DOORS ON MY KIA'S DON'T CLOSE. YOU HAVE TO HAVE A PERSON BUMP THE DOOR CLOSE FROM THE OUTSIDE. MY DOOR AND THE PASSENGER DOOR OPENED WHILE I WAS DRIVING. I'M VERY FEARFUL OF DRIVING DURING IN THE WINTER, ESPECIALLY WITH MY KIDS.JB Look up ODI 10137468 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

Explore monthly filing activity alongside recall announcements. Up to ten years of monthly history is available.

ComponentPeriod

Solid line: filed complaints. Dashed amber lines: recall announcement dates for this vehicle selection; markers include all recall components. The latest month is partial. Temporal proximity does not establish causation.

Monthly counts, recall campaigns and complaint examples

Monthly complaint and recall timeline
Month	Campaigns announced	Examples
2024-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2024-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-09	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-10	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-11	None	No examples available for this selection.
2025-12	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-01	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-02	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-03	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-04	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-05	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-06	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-07	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-08	None	No examples available for this selection.
2026-09 (partial)	None	No examples available for this selection.

Emerging complaint spikes

Complete months in the latest six months with at least 10 complaints, at least twice the preceding 12-month average, and at least three square-root deviations above that average.

This is a descriptive screening rule, not a statistical defect finding. Publicity and reporting changes can increase submissions.

No complete months meet the spike thresholds for this selection.

Equal-age model-year comparison

Model-wide cumulative reports during the first three or five calendar years, starting with the model year (age 0). Only fully elapsed windows are compared.

Observation windowFirst model yearSecond model year

2002: 5 complaints · 2003: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model year	Through age 0	Through age 1	Through age 2
2002	0	1	5
2003	0	1	1

Date coverage across each selected cohort

Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
Year	Incident dates used	Filing date fallbacks	Excluded dates
2002	5	0	1
2003	1	0	1

Incident date is preferred when valid and no later than filing; otherwise filing date is used. Model year approximates age. Equal observation time does not adjust for sales, distance driven or reporting delays. One complaint linked to multiple model years can appear in each cohort.

Components reported together

Each cell counts unique complaints naming both components. Open a nonzero cell for examples.

Component co-occurrence matrix
Component	Power Train:Automatic Transmission	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	Air Bags:Frontal	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	Electrical System	Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch
Power Train:Automatic Transmission	—	2 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 861281 BRAKES OVERHEATED BADLY, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SMELL THEM. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. EVEN WHEN PUMPING IT HARD, BRAKE PEDAL STILL REMAINED AT THE FLOOR. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. AK Look up ODI 861281 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 878377 BRAKES SQUEAKING WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND RPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. AK TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. THE BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES BUT DEALER CHECKED AND STATED OKAY. YH Look up ODI 878377 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 753059 I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A POWER STEERING, RACK AND PINION, 4 SETS OF BRAKES GOING ON 5. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED MORE TIMES THAN NECESSARY. THE BRAKES MAKES A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE WHEN I TRY TO STOP. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT DOESN'T STOP QUICKLY. THE GASKETS AROUND THE DOOR IFS FALLING OFF. THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE HEATER WORKS WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING. IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WONT CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE IT WILL CRANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. … Look up ODI 753059 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.*JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components	2 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 861281 BRAKES OVERHEATED BADLY, AND CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO SMELL THEM. ALSO, BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. EVEN WHEN PUMPING IT HARD, BRAKE PEDAL STILL REMAINED AT THE FLOOR. IN ADDITION, TRANSMISSION FAILURE. WHEN SHIFTING GEARS, IT CAUSED VEHICLE TO JERK VIOLENTLY. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND WAS UNABLE TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEMS. AK Look up ODI 861281 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0	1 ODI 767613 THE BRAKES HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCAHSED. RESULTING IN FREQUENT REPAIR, INCONVENIENCE, SAFETY CONCERNS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD TODAY BY A BRAKE SPECIALIST THAT THE REASON WHY THE FRONT BRAKES KEEP WEARING FAST IS THAT THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK. NLM Look up ODI 767613 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.*JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗	2 ODI 552891 CONSUMER BELIEVES THE CAR WAS NOT COMPLETED AT THE FACTORY. THE SERVICE DEPT DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS ONLY BRAKING WITH THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE WERE NEVER POSITIONED TO THE BRAKE THUS THE FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR. NLM Look up ODI 552891 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 561836 CONSUMER STATES ANTENNA COMES LOOSE WHEN DRIVING, DEALER FOUND THAT DIRT WAS PACKED INTO THREAD HOLE.*JB Look up ODI 561836 at NHTSA ↗
Air Bags:Frontal	0	0	—	1 ODI 786011 ABS FAILED TWICE. *YH Look up ODI 786011 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 865084 CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 865084 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 10038593 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BRAKE FAILURE. MR THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE A/C HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST USE, AND THE GAS LIGHT STAYED ON. (TURI MILLER CAN BE REACH AS WELL AT: D-[phone removed] OR H-[phone removed] AND VIA [email removed]) SCC *JB Look up ODI 10038593 at NHTSA ↗	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip	1 ODI 878377 BRAKES SQUEAKING WHEN APPLIED. DEALER NOTIFIED, AND RPLACED BOTH FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. AK TRANSMISSION FAILED TWICE WITHIN TWO MONTHS. THE BRAKE FAILURE RESULTED IN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES BUT DEALER CHECKED AND STATED OKAY. YH Look up ODI 878377 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 786011 ABS FAILED TWICE. *YH Look up ODI 786011 at NHTSA ↗	—	5 ODI 861450 WEATHER STRIPPING IS PEELING OFF ON THE SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES, VEHICLE VIBRATES. Look up ODI 861450 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 875094 FIRST SET OF BRAKES WERE PUT ON AT15000 MILES. BRAKES WERE WARPED AND BURNED OUT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THREE MONTHS AGO. BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. AK Look up ODI 875094 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 882332 BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED COULD HEAR BRAKES SCRAPING AGANIST EACH OTHER, LIKE METAL ON METAL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CHANGED PADS AND ROTORS AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. AK *SLC Look up ODI 882332 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc	1 ODI 753059 I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A POWER STEERING, RACK AND PINION, 4 SETS OF BRAKES GOING ON 5. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED MORE TIMES THAN NECESSARY. THE BRAKES MAKES A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE WHEN I TRY TO STOP. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT DOESN'T STOP QUICKLY. THE GASKETS AROUND THE DOOR IFS FALLING OFF. THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE HEATER WORKS WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING. IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WONT CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE IT WILL CRANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. … Look up ODI 753059 at NHTSA ↗	0	1 ODI 865084 CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION IN WHICH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, CAUSE UNKNOWN. ALSO, CONSUMER WAS EXPERIENCING EXCESSIVE WEAR ON THE BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS.*AK Look up ODI 865084 at NHTSA ↗	5 ODI 861450 WEATHER STRIPPING IS PEELING OFF ON THE SIDE OF VEHICLE. ALSO, WHEN CONSUMER APPLIES BRAKES, VEHICLE VIBRATES. Look up ODI 861450 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 875094 FIRST SET OF BRAKES WERE PUT ON AT15000 MILES. BRAKES WERE WARPED AND BURNED OUT. VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN SINCE THREE MONTHS AGO. BRAKES ARE DEFECTIVE. AK Look up ODI 875094 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 882332 BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. WHEN CONSUMER FIRST NOTICED COULD HEAR BRAKES SCRAPING AGANIST EACH OTHER, LIKE METAL ON METAL. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER CHANGED PADS AND ROTORS AT CONSUMER'S EXPENSE. AK *SLC Look up ODI 882332 at NHTSA ↗	—	0	0	0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline	0	1 ODI 767613 THE BRAKES HAVE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR SINCE PURCAHSED. RESULTING IN FREQUENT REPAIR, INCONVENIENCE, SAFETY CONCERNS AND OTHER PROBLEMS. WAS TOLD TODAY BY A BRAKE SPECIALIST THAT THE REASON WHY THE FRONT BRAKES KEEP WEARING FAST IS THAT THE REAR BRAKES DO NOT WORK. NLM Look up ODI 767613 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	—	1 ODI 8011543 WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IT CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WILL NOT START BACK UP. CONSUMER HAS TO GET IT TOWED EVERY TIME. THEN, IT IS TOWED BACK TO DEALER, YET, DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES HE IS AFRAID THAT HE OR HIS DAUGHTER IS GOING TO GET HURT.AK CONSUMER ADDS THERE IS SUDDEN ACCELERATION THEN SLOWING DOWN OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES BEING APPLIED. EXPERIENCING FUEL RELATIONS PROBLEMS POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE FUEL BOX. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FAILED. TT Look up ODI 8011543 at NHTSA ↗	0
Electrical System	1 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.*JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 563225 THE MOLDING CAME OFF AROUND THE WINDSHIELD.*JB Look up ODI 563225 at NHTSA ↗	1 ODI 10038593 AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, BRAKE FAILURE. MR THE CONSUMER WAS IN AN ACCIDENT DUE TO BRAKE FAILURE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. THE A/C HAD TO BE REPLACED AFTER THE FIRST USE, AND THE GAS LIGHT STAYED ON. (TURI MILLER CAN BE REACH AS WELL AT: D-[phone removed] OR H-[phone removed] AND VIA [email removed]) SCC *JB Look up ODI 10038593 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	1 ODI 8011543 WHEN VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN IT CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. ALSO, WILL NOT START BACK UP. CONSUMER HAS TO GET IT TOWED EVERY TIME. THEN, IT IS TOWED BACK TO DEALER, YET, DEALER CANNOT FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES HE IS AFRAID THAT HE OR HIS DAUGHTER IS GOING TO GET HURT.AK CONSUMER ADDS THERE IS SUDDEN ACCELERATION THEN SLOWING DOWN OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT BRAKES BEING APPLIED. EXPERIENCING FUEL RELATIONS PROBLEMS POSSIBLY RELATED TO THE FUEL BOX. IT IS ALSO POSSIBLE THAT THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY FAILED. TT Look up ODI 8011543 at NHTSA ↗	—	0
Latches/Locks/Linkages:Doors:Latch	0	2 ODI 552891 CONSUMER BELIEVES THE CAR WAS NOT COMPLETED AT THE FACTORY. THE SERVICE DEPT DISCOVERED THE CAR WAS ONLY BRAKING WITH THE FRONT BRAKES BECAUSE THE REAR BRAKE WERE NEVER POSITIONED TO THE BRAKE THUS THE FRONT BRAKES EXPERIENCED EXCESSIVE WEAR. NLM Look up ODI 552891 at NHTSA ↗ ODI 561836 CONSUMER STATES ANTENNA COMES LOOSE WHEN DRIVING, DEALER FOUND THAT DIRT WAS PACKED INTO THREAD HOLE.*JB Look up ODI 561836 at NHTSA ↗	0	0	0	0	0	—

Co-reporting does not establish that one component caused another concern.

Recurring narrative patterns

Specific keyword mentions beyond broad component labels. Matching includes negations and comparisons and does not confirm a diagnosis.

Search patterns

7 patterns with matching reports.

Brake response concerns

18 mentions · 6.8% of complaints

Median mileage: 44,950 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10007396 · 20,000 mi

THE BRAKES FAILED.*JB

Look up ODI 10007396 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10032551 · 20,000 mi

I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT WHERE I REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE BECAUSE I COULD NOT STOP. AFTER FURTHER INVESTIGATION ON MY OWN, I FOUND THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AGAINST KIA SEPHIA & SPORTAGES FOR THEIR 1998-2000 MODELS FOR BRAKE FAILURE. THE BRAKES EITHER COMPLETELY FAIL AT ONCE OR A PERSON IS CONTINUALLY REPLACING BRAKES/PADS, ETC. I ENCOURAGE ANYONE TO FILE A COMPLAINT IF THEY HAVE ANY SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *NLM *CB

Look up ODI 10032551 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10038355

THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. SPEED WAS UNDETERMINED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO COLLIDE WITH A GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES TO REPORT AT THIS TIME, THE VICTIM WENT TO THE HOSPITAL FOR OBSERVATION.*AK

Look up ODI 10038355 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Stalling or loss of power

13 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 62,325 mi (5 usable records).

ODI 10019579

THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD, AND THEN THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. *JB

Look up ODI 10019579 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10037075

CAR SUFFERS INTERMITTENTLY STARTING PROBLEM WHILE HOT OR COLD WITH LOSS OF POWER.DEALER REPORTS ADVISORY ABOUT PROBLEM, BUT STATES ONLY COVERED FOR 3 YEARS OR 36,000 MILES. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF A PROBLEM.DEALER REPORTS FAULTY ENGINE COMPUTER JUNCTION BOX. SERVICE ADVISOR REPORTED A" SHORT IN FUSE BOX" TO ME.*AK

Look up ODI 10037075 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10040869 · 42,450 mi

ENGINE STALLS INTERMITTENTLY FOR NO APPEARENT REASON IN TRAFFIC

Look up ODI 10040869 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(stall\w*|loss of power|lost power|engine shut\w* off)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

13 mentions · 4.9% of complaints

Median mileage: 65,000 mi (8 usable records).

ODI 10003360 · 72,000 mi

Look up ODI 10003360 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10018598 · 549 mi

OUR KIA SEPHIA 2000 IS A LEMON. WE HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES FOUR TIMES BECAUSE OF PREMATURE WARE AND SHAKING DUE TO POOR DESIGN. WE RECEIVED THE CAR WITH A DEAD BATTERY. WE ARE ON OUR THIRD BATTERY. WE WERE ON OUR THIRD SET OF TIRES BEFORE 30,000 MILES. THE GEAR SHIFT WILL STICK SO THAT YOU CAN NOT TAKE IT OUT OF PARK. THE WEATHER MOLDING IS FALLING OFF. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND THEY COULD NOT KEEP IT FROM COMING ON. *JB

Look up ODI 10018598 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10019026

WHEN GETTING MY 3,000 MAINTENANCE. THE SERVICE MAN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT PERFORM THE MAINTENANCE CHECK BECAUSE THE CAR NEEDED A NEW COMPUTER. THE COMPUTER CHIP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, SO THE MAINTENANCE WOULD NOT BE NECESSARY. I'VE CALLED EVERY OTHER WEEK, TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT AND WERE THE ARE ON GETTING THE COMPUTER. HERE IT IS ALMOST JUNE, AND NO REPLACEMENT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUES TO GONE ON AND OFF EVERY OTHER DAY. I AM TIRED OF CALLING THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. I AM A SINGLE MOTHER OF 3 BOYS WITH ONE INCOME. THAT IS WHY I …

Look up ODI 10019026 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(warning light\w*|check engine|dashboard warning\w*|malfunction indicator)\b

Hard or delayed shifting

6 mentions · 2.3% of complaints

Median mileage: 53,626 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10042942

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS SINCE PURCHASE. WINDSHIELD SEPARATED FROM FRAME, MOLDING FELL OFF 4 TIMES DURING FIRST 4 MONTHS OF PURCHASE ALTERNATOR REPLACED TWICE. BATTERY REPLACED AFTER ONLY HAVING VEHICLE 2 MONTHS. AIR CONDITION (A/C) FUSE BLEW TWICE FAN FUSE BLEW ONCE CAUSING VEHICLE TO OVERHEAT. BACK DOORS STICK SHUT. BACK DOORS HINGES RUSTED AND BENT CAUSING SQUEAKING AND NOT COMPLETELY TO SHUT. TRANS SHIFTS HARD AND SOMETIMES STICKS. ENGINE LIGHT AND OVERDRIVE LIGHT BLINKED TRANS WAS SHIFTED BY ITSELF. HAD TRANS FLUSHED SEEMS TO BE OK. CAR SHAKE…

Look up ODI 10042942 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10073780 · 67,251 mi

TRANSMISSION ON VEHICLE WAS FIXED 7 TIMES. *MR THE TRANSMISSION WOULD SLIP, SHIFT HARD AND AT TIMES THE REVERSE GEAR WOULD NOT WORK. FRONT ROTORS WARPED. *NM

Look up ODI 10073780 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10207015 · 40,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN AT 20 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED TO THE LEFT. THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE ROAD CONDITIONS WERE NORMAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DRIVER WAS WEARING A SEAT BELT AND SUSTAINED BRUISES TO HER CHEST. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 40,000.

Look up ODI 10207015 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Battery drain and no-start mentions

4 mentions · 1.5% of complaints

Median mileage: 21,788 mi (3 usable records).

ODI 10018598 · 549 mi

Look up ODI 10018598 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10043482 · 21,788 mi

CAR DIED ON THE ROAD FOR NO REASON. THEN CAR WOULD NOT START. DRIVER VERIFIED THAT GEAR-SHIFT WAS LOCKED IN "PARK" POSITION. JUST GLAD THIS DID NOT HAPPEN ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THE CAR HAS BEEN IN THE REPAIR SHOP DUE TO GETTING THE CAR INTO OR OUT OF PARK. REPAIRS OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS HAVE BEEN RE-LUBRICATED THE GEAR-SHIFT CABLE (1ST REPAIR). REPLACE THE GEAR-SHIFT CABLE (2ND REPAIR). THE LAST (3RD) REPAIR WAS A RE-LUBRICATION OF THE REPLACED GEAR-SHIFT CABLE AND RE-ADJUSTMENT OF THE LINKAGE SO CAR COULD RECOGNIZE T…

Look up ODI 10043482 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10070775 · 21,788 mi

GEAR SHIFT IS MY BIG PROBLEM RIGHT NOW WITH MY CAR. IT HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES IN THE PAST 2 YEARS. 1ST TWO TIMES WAS DUE TO THE IN-ABILITY TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. 1ST REPAIR COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. REPAIR WAS LUBRICATE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. (ACCUSED DRIVER OF GETTING POP IN THE GEAR SHIFTER) 2ND REPAIR COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. REPAIR WAS TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. 3RD REPAIR CAR STALLED ON THE ROAD AND WOULD NOT START. REPAIR "FREE-UP SHIFTER SHAT IN TRANSMISSION (WOULD NOT GO ALL THE WASY IN PARK AND WA…

Look up ODI 10070775 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

Fuel smell or leak mentions

2 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 762815

DAUGHTER DRIVE CAR IN HOSPITAL 05/12/02 AND 06/06/02 FROM FUEL LEAK BACK INTO CAR, CAUSING HER TO PASSOUT, DIZZINESS,/ NAUSEA/ VOMTING AND DIFFCULT IN BREATHING AND HEADACHE. *AK

Look up ODI 762815 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 875579

WHEN FILLING VEHICLE UP FUEL LEAKS OUT FROM THE FILLER NECK, AND THE VEHICLE IS NOT FULL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK

Look up ODI 875579 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(fuel leak\w*|gas leak\w*|gas(?:oline)? smell|smell\w* (?:of )?(?:fuel|gas))\b

Steering assistance concerns

2 mentions · 0.8% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 753059

I HAVE HAD TO HAVE A POWER STEERING, RACK AND PINION, 4 SETS OF BRAKES GOING ON 5. I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY TIRES ROTATED MORE TIMES THAN NECESSARY. THE BRAKES MAKES A GRINDING, RATTLING NOISE WHEN I TRY TO STOP. WHEN I PRESS ON THE BRAKES IT DOESN'T STOP QUICKLY. THE GASKETS AROUND THE DOOR IFS FALLING OFF. THE RADIO WILL SHUT OFF FOR NO REASON. THE HEATER WORKS WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE. THE WINDSHIELD WAS LEAKING. IT HAS SINCE BEEN REPAIRED. SOMETIMES THE CAR WONT CRANK AFTER SITTING FOR A WHILE IT WILL CRANK. THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. …

Look up ODI 753059 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 888707

WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, CAUSING LOSS OF CONTROL WHICH RESULTED IN A COLLISION. *AK DRIVER'S WAS INJURED DURING ACCIDENT AND THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *YH

Look up ODI 888707 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule

\b(power steer\w*|steering assist\w*|steering lock\w*|steering wheel lock\w*)\b