6th Dec 2007, 13:08

I bought a 2000 Kia Sephia used with 112k on it two months ago. I should have known to be more cautious when the seller handed me a maintenance record the size of War & Peace. The car has had the coils, spark plugs, brakes, & tires ALL replaced. It's had the transmission worked on. In TWO months I have taken it in 3 times to get the brakes worked on. I also had to replace the entire fuel line because it started leaking & busted. I went to start my car this morning & there was nothing & now I'm being told that my alternator must be replaced. On top of that I can FEEL the transmission dying...it's so rough to shift. I will never buy a Kia ever, ever again.

2nd May 2008, 23:32

I have a 1996 Kia Sephia. I like this car very much. I have the 1.8 engine. Very good car; cheap on gas, I get 32 to 35 mpg.

31st Jul 2008, 22:32

I bought a 2000 Kia Sephia last year from a private owner. I have to start out by saying that all in all, for the money, so far it has been a pretty good little car. However I did have to have the head off the motor and planed because it was warped and leaking the coolant out all over the place, that was within the first two months I had the car. Keep in mind though that it had around 98k on it at the time the head got warped. The engine kept trying to overheat in hot weather, even after having the head planed. Had the radiator replaced about 2 1/2 weeks ago, and that seems to have fixed the overheating problem. The check engine light is on, but that doesn't seem to make much difference in how the car runs. Also it went through the thing I have seen mentioned above with the fuses, it was burning them out a lot there for about 3 or 4 months but that seems to have stopped. The ac still runs pretty cold, although it slows the car down considerably with it on, so I just turn it on and off at stop lights and places where I have to stop & go. The glove compartment latch has been stubborn since I've had the car and did finally break last week, now I'm looking for a place that has one, if anyone knows, please email me at piano4eva11382@yahoo.com. I now have it taped shut, which is not too bad since I keep stuff in the console.

This car has never broken down on me or left me stranded. I paid $3000 for it with 96k on it. Could be better, could be worse, but right now it is doing pretty well.

6th Aug 2008, 20:26

August, 2008.

Well I have also a Kia Sephia 2000, but I bought it cheap from a friend of mine. A door was crashed and I had to fix it.

I have the same problems with the windows on the driver's side; they don't work front or rear.

The car has 126,000 miles. I bought the master switch for the windows. It makes no difference.

The AC looks to be working fine.

The car moves bad when I stop at lights, but I just put it on neutral at every light and it gets calm.

Same problem with dash; I need glue or something, it came off at the front.

Pulley was sounding bad; I bought penetrating oil and it helps.

Had a problem with a new battery at the beginning; charged 3 times, problems. It looks to be fixed after I'm running the car every day.

19th Aug 2008, 14:30

I bought a Kia Sephia 2000 in 1/10/2001 - I have since:

Replace tires every year in the rear.

Get new brakes and rotors every year.

Dashboard is coming off.

Driver seat broke and had to replace.

Weather strip in back comes off on passenger side.

Had to replace idling modulator twice 150$ each time.

Had to replace door handle on drivers side cause the locking mech., locked up and wouldn't turn anymore.

Replaced thermostat.

Rear drum brakes.

Currently now having to get brakes replaced again, rotors turned and since the car won't brake easy they think it may be a brake booster problem. I also constantly have the problems with the fuses too. My headlights are fogged and have dim lighting. There is always something with this car... I don't recomend Kia.

27th Aug 2008, 00:16

I bought a 2000 Kia Sephia in 2001 with 9000 miles on it. The car has been sitting in my drive way for 2 years.

I fixed the transmission and fuel injection, then the car would not start, so they charged the battery, then replaced the battery, then got it started and it broke down again, leaving the dealership they fixed it again, and a week later it was dead.

The worst car ever. Makes you more bitter when you are paying car payments and have had to become a one family car.

4th Sep 2008, 07:57

Don't ever buy a KIA. I bought a brand new 2 miles on the odometer 2006 KIA Rio for my wife. Let me tell you that their warranty is a crock. I have had to buy 2 sets of tires. The air bag light came on so we took it to the dealer, it turned out that the seat belt switch was bad. They ordered the part and 2 weeks later replaced it. 2 weeks after that the light came on again. 1.5 years after purchase the battery was bad. I called the dealership and they said they would replace it for a pro rated price but I had to pay the 39.99 charge to test it. I went to auto zone before hand and had the car tested for free. All together Kia wanted almost 100.00 to replace the warrentied battery. I bought a better battery at auto zone for half of what kia wanted and it has a 3 year warranty. Don't trust Kia. KIA = KILLED IN ACTION or KEEP IN ASIA

15th Oct 2008, 17:34

We have a 99 Kia Sephia, it is the worst car I have ever owned. We have spent thousands of dollars in repairs. Most parts had to be purchased through the dealer.

We have replaced the battery 3 times in the last 2 years.

We have replaced the fuel filter, it won't shift properly, the dash has never opened, the air will not work past the second notch, the OD light has been on for several months.

Every time I go to the dealership to pick up another part, they know me by name, I have had to buy so many, and every time I pick up the part, the guy in the parts department, always tells me he promises that they make the cars better than they used to, and asks if I want to trade it in for a new one. I told him if I could afford a new one, I would not purchase a KIA.