Auto Recall Watch
U.S. public vehicle records

2001 Kia SEPHIA: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

107 owner complaints analyzed

0 distinct recall campaigns

26,872 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2001 model year. Data updated: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage. View data status.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Air Bags:Frontal is the most frequently named component, appearing in 15 of 107 complaints (14.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Braking behavior1816.8%
Transmission and shifting1312.1%
Engine operation98.4%
Electrical and battery issues65.6%
Fuel system concerns54.7%
Steering behavior21.9%

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.

Air Bags:Frontal
15
Power Train:Automatic Transmission
14
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline
8
Electrical System
5
Electrical System:Ignition
5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
5
Structure:Body:Door
5
Air Bags
4
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Air Bags:Frontal15
Power Train:Automatic Transmission14
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline8
Electrical System5
Electrical System:Ignition5
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine5
Structure:Body:Door5
Air Bags4

Air Bags:Frontal: 15; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 14; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline: 8; Electrical System: 5; Electrical System:Ignition: 5; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 5; Structure:Body:Door: 5; Air Bags: 4

Reported problems by failure mileage

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

Under 25,000
15
25,000 to 49,999
4
50,000 to 74,999
5
75,000 to 99,999
3
100,000 to 149,999
3
150,000 and above
0
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00015
25,000 to 49,9994
50,000 to 74,9995
75,000 to 99,9993
100,000 to 149,9993
150,000 and above0

Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0

Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 77 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.

2000
2
2001
16
2002
32
2003
25
2004
11
2005
6
2006
1
2007
2
2008
2
2009
2
2010
2
2011
4
2012
1
2016
1
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20002
200116
200232
200325
200411
20056
20061
20072
20082
20092
20102
20114
20121
20161

2000: 2; 2001: 16; 2002: 32; 2003: 25; 2004: 11; 2005: 6; 2006: 1; 2007: 2; 2008: 2; 2009: 2; 2010: 2; 2011: 4; 2012: 1; 2016: 1

Pattern summary

Air Bags:Frontal leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 13 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 9 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 10001436 · 2002-12-23 (December 23, 2002)

CONSUMER STATES WHEN HAD A ACCIDENT THE REAR SEAT SHOULDER STRAPS DID NOT LOCK CAUSING INJURIES. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10001436 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10002019 · 2003-01-03 (January 3, 2003)

CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED ON WET PAVEMENT AND WITHOUT WARNING THE REAR END WOULD WONDER CAUSING A DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10002019 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004258 · 2003-01-21 (January 21, 2003)

THE VEHICLE BRAKE AND GAS PEDAL ARE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, BUT THEIR FOOT HIT THE GAS PEDAL ALSO, WHICH CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. PH

Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004258 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004493 · 2003-01-23 (January 23, 2003)

THE FLEXLINE SUPPLYING THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST A RETAINER RING AND CAUSED ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE PEDAL. TS SCC

Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10004493 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10004785 · 2003-01-28 (January 28, 2003)

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10004785 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10005209 · 2003-02-03 (February 3, 2003)

VECHICAL AT IDLE WENT INTO HIGH RPM AND LOSS OF BRAKES AND LASTED ABOUT 30 TO 45 SECONDS

Owner-reported narrative. 18,008 miles reported. Look up ODI 10005209 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10008340 · 2003-03-02 (March 2, 2003)

MASTER CYLINDER, WENT OUT THE SECOND TIME. I HAD MY CAR IN THE DEALERS SHOP ON DECEMBER 31, 2002. MY MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT AT 13157 MILES, AND THE MASTER CYLINDER WENT OUT AGAIN AT 14252 MILES (3/1/03). THE CAR WILL BE 2 YEARS OLD IN APRIL. I AM VERY SCARED TO GET BACK IN THE CAR THIS TIME, I AM LOOKING INTO PURCHASING A NEW CAR. THIS CAR IS UNSAFE AND UNPREDICTABLE.*JB

Owner-reported narrative. 14,252 miles reported. Look up ODI 10008340 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10010664 · 2003-03-18 (March 18, 2003)

OVER THE PAST TWO WEEKS, THREE (3) LUG NUTS HAVE MYSTERIOUSLY BROKEN ON THE VEHICLE, TWO (2) ON THE LEFT FRONT WHEEL AND ONE (1) ON THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO WILSON POWELL DARCAR DEALER IN MARLOW HEIGHTS, MARYLAND, WHERE NEW LUGS WERE INSTALLED. TWO DAYS LATER, THE NEW LUG THAT WAS INSTALLED BROKE. *JB

Owner-reported narrative. 55,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10010664 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

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

No recall campaigns are recorded in this snapshot.

Explore the data

Vehicle analysis explorer

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

Data completeness

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

28.0%Usable mileage30 / 107 records
95.3%Valid incident date102 / 107 records
100.0%Valid filing date107 / 107 records
95.3%Ordered incident and filing dates102 / 107 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.

Component complaint heatmap
Component1994199519961997199819992000200120022003
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 DEPLOY*AK 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…

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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
ComponentMileage range (25th–75th percentile)MedianUsable recordsExamples
Air Bags:FrontalToo few reports for a range74,792 mi4 (sparse)
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

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ODI 10046339 · 30,000 mi

CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONT END COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, DUAL AIRBAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY. TWO PASSENGERS SUSTAINED HEAD INJURIES. *AK VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *PH

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ODI 10328228 · 135,000 mi

DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR

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Power Train:Automatic Transmission13,345–28,322 mi17,000 mi7
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 ↗

ODI 10020868 · 23,744 mi

-I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS 4 DOOR. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT.THE INSTRUCTION SIMPLY STATED "TO SHIFT FROM PARK PRESS BRAKE PEDAL". THE BUTTON ,LOCATED IN THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE,THAT HAS TO BE PRESSED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASED, EVERYDAY WHEN PUTTING GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE I HAD TO WAIT 30 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE THE KNOB CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY IN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNTIL TODAY (1 JUNE 03). THE BUTTON WAS COMPLETELY PA…

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ODI 10023371 · 14,000 mi

ENGINE AND LOTS OF OTHERS. *NLM

Look up ODI 10023371 at NHTSA ↗

Electrical SystemToo few reports for a range27,992 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10088107 · 3,000 mi

BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER), AC BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR REPLACED, ALL MIRRORS WERE REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORT IN DOME LIGHT, & IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT 2001, AND WAS PUT IN SHOP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JAN. 2002 AND HAS BEEN THERE 55 DAY…

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ODI 10251098 · 52,984 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS. THE STARTER AND TWO RELAYS WERE REPLACED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IMMEDIATELY RECURRED. THE CONTACT HAS NOT HAD THE VEHICLE DIAGNOSED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. SHE IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 52,984. UPDATED 01/07/09. *LJ UPDATED 01/08/09. *JB

Look up ODI 10251098 at NHTSA ↗

Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineToo few reports for a range15,500 mi1 (sparse)
ODI 10011665 · 15,500 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10011665 at NHTSA ↗

Air BagsToo few reports for a range98,834 mi2 (sparse)
ODI 10048076 · 61,667 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK

Look up ODI 10048076 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10457546 · 136,000 mi

I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT METAL DEATHTRAP AGAIN. THIS IS MY FIRST AND ABSOLUTELY THE LAST KIA I WILL EVER BUY. *TR

Look up ODI 10457546 at NHTSA ↗

Complaint and recall timeline

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

1 reports2024-102026-09

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
MonthComplaintsCampaigns announcedExamples
2024-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2024-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-090None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-100None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-110None

No examples available for this selection.

2025-120None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-010None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-020None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-030None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-040None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-050None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-060None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-070None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-080None

No examples available for this selection.

2026-09 (partial)0None

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.

Age 0Age 1Age 25 reports

2002: 5 complaints · 2003: 1 complaints

Equal observation windows
Model yearThrough age 0Through age 1Through age 2
2002015
2003011
Date coverage across each selected cohort
Date basis for all complaints in selected model years
YearIncident dates usedFiling date fallbacksExcluded dates
2002501
2003101

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
ComponentAir Bags:FrontalPower Train:Automatic TransmissionEngine And Engine Cooling:Engine:GasolineElectrical SystemElectrical System:IgnitionEngine And Engine Cooling:EngineStructure:Body:DoorAir Bags
Air Bags:Frontal—00000
1
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 ↗

1
ODI 10267192

ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND SWELLING IN HER BRAIN, ALONG WITH MANY MANY OTHER INJURIES THAT SHE DID NOT SURVIVE THE CRASH. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! ! ! HOW MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CAR NEED TO BE HIT BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY! SHE WAS WEA…

Look up ODI 10267192 at NHTSA ↗

Power Train:Automatic Transmission0—0
1
ODI 10088107 · 3,000 mi

BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER), AC BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR REPLACED, ALL MIRRORS WERE REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORT IN DOME LIGHT, & IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT 2001, AND WAS PUT IN SHOP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JAN. 2002 AND HAS BEEN THERE 55 DAY…

Look up ODI 10088107 at NHTSA ↗

0000
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline00—0
2
ODI 898466

WHEN DRIVING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND HESITATE, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES, REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ RESET CODES, AND CHANGED SPARK PLUGS. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 898466 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898494

WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE RESTART AFTER STALLING OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC CHANGED IGNITION CABLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Look up ODI 898494 at NHTSA ↗

000
Electrical System0
1
ODI 10088107 · 3,000 mi

BEFORE 40,000 MILES, HAD FUEL PUMP CHANGED 2 TIMES, STARTER CHANGED 2 TIMES, NEW TRANSMISSION, IGNITION CONTROL MODULE ONCE, DOORS REPLACED DUE TO DEFECT, NEW PAINT JOB DUE TO TRASH UNDER ORIGINAL PAINT JOB, ALL HUB CAPS AND TRIM WERE REPLACED DUE TO FADING AT 10,000 MILES (WHICH FADED AGAIN A FEW THOUSAND MILES LATER), AC BLOWER RESISTOR MOTOR REPLACED, ALL MIRRORS WERE REPLACED, ELECTRICAL SHORT IN DOME LIGHT, & IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. I BOUGHT MY CAR IN OCT 2001, AND WAS PUT IN SHOP FOR THE FIRST TIME IN JAN. 2002 AND HAS BEEN THERE 55 DAY…

Look up ODI 10088107 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 10142014

MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. FIRST, IN JAN. OF '04 THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BLOCK. THAT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($3,800). THEN, 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1,567) AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR AND BELTS REPLACED($975). THE DEALERSHIP ALSO DOES NOT OFFER A LOANER CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT. *NM

Look up ODI 10142014 at NHTSA ↗

00
Electrical System:Ignition00
2
ODI 898466

WHEN DRIVING 25-30 MPH VEHICLE WILL VIBRATE AND HESITATE, AND ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER 6 TIMES, REPLACED FUEL PUMP/ CATALYTIC CONVERTER/ RESET CODES, AND CHANGED SPARK PLUGS. DID NOT REMEDY PROBLEM. *AK

Look up ODI 898466 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 898494

WHILE IDLING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT VEHICLE WOULD DIE OUT. WOULD HAVE NO WARNING. VEHICLE NOT ABLE TO BE RESTART AFTER STALLING OUT. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER. MECHANIC CHANGED IGNITION CABLE, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS.*AK

Look up ODI 898494 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
1
ODI 764172

BOUGHT NEW CAR. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. INSIDE DOOR LOCKS (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). HORN MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND COIL (REPLACED 1 TIME). REAR DEFROST MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 1 TIME.) AIR FILTER COVER SCREWS AND HOLES STRIPPED OUT (REPLACED 1 TIME). AIR CONDITIONER FAN-SCRAPING NOISE (NEVER REPAIRED). OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION (CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT). STICK SHIFT WAS "JUMPING AROUND"-REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD (REPLACED 1 TIME). KNOCK SENSOR MALFUNCTION (REPLACED 1 TIME). DASH DIALS NOT WORKING (…

Look up ODI 764172 at NHTSA ↗

0
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine000
1
ODI 10142014

MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP FOR THE THIRD MAJOR REPAIR IN LESS THAN 2 YEARS. FIRST, IN JAN. OF '04 THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE BLOCK. THAT REQUIRED THE ENTIRE ENGINE TO BE REPLACED ($3,800). THEN, 2 MONTHS AGO, THE ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ($1,567) AND NOW IT IS IN THE SHOP TO HAVE THE COMPRESSOR AND BELTS REPLACED($975). THE DEALERSHIP ALSO DOES NOT OFFER A LOANER CAR AND I CANNOT AFFORD TO RENT. *NM

Look up ODI 10142014 at NHTSA ↗

0—00
Structure:Body:Door
1
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 ↗

000
1
ODI 764172

BOUGHT NEW CAR. SEVERAL ELECTRICAL MALFUNCTIONS. INSIDE DOOR LOCKS (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). HORN MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 2 TIMES). SPARK PLUGS, WIRES, AND COIL (REPLACED 1 TIME). REAR DEFROST MALFUNCTION (REPAIRED 1 TIME.) AIR FILTER COVER SCREWS AND HOLES STRIPPED OUT (REPLACED 1 TIME). AIR CONDITIONER FAN-SCRAPING NOISE (NEVER REPAIRED). OUTSIDE DOOR LOCKS MALFUNCTION (CURRENTLY BEING LOOKED AT). STICK SHIFT WAS "JUMPING AROUND"-REAR MOTOR MOUNT WAS BAD (REPLACED 1 TIME). KNOCK SENSOR MALFUNCTION (REPLACED 1 TIME). DASH DIALS NOT WORKING (…

Look up ODI 764172 at NHTSA ↗

0—0
Air Bags
1
ODI 10267192

ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND SWELLING IN HER BRAIN, ALONG WITH MANY MANY OTHER INJURIES THAT SHE DID NOT SURVIVE THE CRASH. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! ! ! HOW MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CAR NEED TO BE HIT BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY! SHE WAS WEA…

Look up ODI 10267192 at NHTSA ↗

000000—

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.

4 patterns with matching reports.

Stalling or loss of power

9 mentions · 8.4% of complaints

Median mileage: 15,750 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10004785

WHILE DRIVING AT 35MPH VEHICLE WILL STALL WITHOUT WARNING MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Look up ODI 10004785 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10011665 · 15,500 mi

THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING, THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB

Look up ODI 10011665 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10015425

THE VEHICLE STALLED, AND THEN CAUGHT ON FIRE. *JB

Look up ODI 10015425 at NHTSA ↗

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

Brake response concerns

4 mentions · 3.7% of complaints

Median mileage: 17,372 mi (2 usable records).

ODI 10004493 · 11,000 mi

THE FLEXLINE SUPPLYING THE BRAKE FLUID TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL HAD BEEN RUBBING AGAINST A RETAINER RING AND CAUSED ALL THE FLUID TO LEAK, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE BRAKE PEDAL. TS SCC

Look up ODI 10004493 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10020868 · 23,744 mi

-I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS 4 DOOR. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT.THE INSTRUCTION SIMPLY STATED "TO SHIFT FROM PARK PRESS BRAKE PEDAL". THE BUTTON ,LOCATED IN THE TOP LEFT SIDE OF THE HANDLE,THAT HAS TO BE PRESSED WHILE APPLYING BRAKE PEDAL WILL NOT GO ALL THE WAY IN. SINCE THE DATE OF PURCHASED, EVERYDAY WHEN PUTTING GEAR FROM PARK TO DRIVE I HAD TO WAIT 30 MINUTES OR MORE BEFORE THE KNOB CAN BE PUSHED ALL THE WAY IN. I THOUGHT THIS WAS NORMAL FOR AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION UNTIL TODAY (1 JUNE 03). THE BUTTON WAS COMPLETELY PA…

Look up ODI 10020868 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 10178913

WHEN STARTING THE CAR MOSTLY IN THE MORNING, THE BRAKE FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. THE PEDAL WAS ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR (LEVEL WITH THE CLUTCH) BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. *NM

Look up ODI 10178913 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(brake fail\w*|brakes fail\w*|brake pedal|braking distance|unintended braking|phantom braking)\b

Warning lights and dashboard alerts

2 mentions · 1.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10020335

THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH THEN THE ENGINE SLOWED DOWN. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES BUT COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *NLM

Look up ODI 10020335 at NHTSA ↗

ODI 564218

THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR WAS LOOSE CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO ILLUMINATE. *YH

Look up ODI 564218 at NHTSA ↗

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

Hard or delayed shifting

1 mentions · 0.9% of complaints

Median mileage: Unavailable (0 usable records).

ODI 10051259

THE SEPHIA WAS HIT AT AN ANGLE ON THE RIGHT FRONT CORNER AT ABOUT 30 MILES PER HOUR. THE AIRBAGS DELOYED AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND WIRING IMMEDEATLY CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE CABIN FILLED WITH DUST FROM THE BAGS AND SMOKE. THE POWER WINDOWS DID NOT WORK AT THAT POINT. THE DRIVER COULD NOT SEE THE DOOR HANDLE. SOMEONE OPENED THE DOOR TO LET HER OUT. A PASSENGER HAD RECENTLY EXITED THE CAR OR THE ACCIDENT COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DELPOYED AND WENT DOWN SO FAST THAT THE DRIVERS HEAD WAS JERKED BACK AND LET DROP SO T…

Look up ODI 10051259 at NHTSA ↗

Matching rule\b(hard shift\w*|rough shift\w*|delay\w* shift\w*|shift\w* hard|jerk\w*|lurch\w*)\b