Comments: 1-15, 16
Car stalls.
Fuel spills over when filling.
Brakes squeal.
Dash rattles.
Air conditioning takes long time to cool the car.
Defogger takes 15 minutes to fully work.
Car idles loudly.
Engine sounds like a bird is stuck.
When it needs a new tire, takes 3 months to get a replacement from the factory.
Front hood installed incorrectly.
Wind noise extremely high when the windows are rolled up.
The tires do not handle very well on the road, and driving in the rain is down right dangerous.
Would never recommend to anyone, not even an enemy.
When taken in for a service, constantly get the runaround. Two recalls have gone out on this model, and I have not received a notice of either one. I found out from a safety website after the service dept of my dealership told me they could find no reason why my car was stalling and that the fuel problem was a result of the gas pump, not the car, even though it had happened numerous times at different stations.
Kept telling me that the hood was not making any noises, even when it was so loud that people 10 feet away heard it.
Uncomfortable to drive. Because the back of the car is elevated, you have to twist around to see behind you, leaves you with a stiff neck.
I feel that they allow people to drive this car even though they know that it is dangerous. Should not have to put up with this from a brand new car.
I saw in your comments that you visited a website or two. Did you do any background research on Kia products? I subscribe to numerous car mags and visit consumer websites before purchasing any make of car. Both Motortrend and Car and Driver stated that the Kia Sephia was the worst car they ever tested. Kind of scary since they tested the Yugo in the 80's. Good luck. I hope you get some results from the manufacturer.
I totally agree, I have a 1999 Kia Sephia! They just recalled the gas spillage, get it checked out plus these are the other recalls I have had - 2 times I have had bending rotors, 1 time recall on the wiper link, 1 time gas spillage, 1 time loose fuel pump connections, I still have a electric connection somewhere which I just can't wait to get recalled. Please get everything checked for a recall that I had for your safety, and please do spread the word!
I bought a 1999 Kia Sephia. With all the defects described.
This car absolutely SUCKS. I can't believe they are allowed to sell it in the US. In all their commercials they compare it to a Honda Civic. That's like comparing a water pistol to an AK-47. Down with Kia. The bad thing is you can't even think about trading this car cause a dealership will laugh out loud and pay YOU $50 just to get that cursed car off their lot.
That's what you get for buying some Korean designed piece of trash. Read up on a car before you start flinging money in Korea's pocket.
I purchased a new LS model in July of 1999. I have had to take it in for the two recalls mentioned above, but I also know that many cars get recalls their first two years on the market (research that fact if you don't believe me).
I have only had one problem with it so far. There was an electrical problem that caused my driving lights to stay on even when I turned off my car.
I won't lie to you and say that this is a great car, but for the price I paid, I don't have too much to complain about. It is a point A to point B car and nothing more. It gets the job done. I don't regret buying it, and if you are considering it as your next car, test drive it and decide whether you can put up with its shortcomings for the price that you are paying.
For the same price as a brand new Kia Sephia... you will be better off buying a used Honda Civic. Perhaps this is why Kia went bankrupt and had gotten acquired by Hyndai. Then again, I still wouldn't want to own a Korean car. I wouldn't mind trying one out, but I do not want to own one. This is all coming from a person who is half-Korean! - Reinhart.
If you want muscle, buy American.
If you want quality, buy Japanese.
If you want sophistication, buy European.
If you want a death wish, buy a Yugo.
You are right, the Sephia is my first car and the dealer did EVERYTHING to sell it. Unfortunately I fell for it. It's a piece of trash. Anyone thinking of buying it STOP! When you realize you wanna trade it in you'll end up owing them money, even if it's paid off!
I bought a Kia in February of 1999. It had 14 miles on it and ever since it hit the 12000 mile marker I have had nothing but problems. I had to take it in for 3 recalls, my brakes went out once, I had to replace the rotors twice, the pads once, my battery and my muffler fell off and that's not covered under warranty. It doesn't get good gas mileage anymore, the steering sucks, you can't get any parts except from the dealership and they are too expensive to bother with and nobody will buy it. Kia you suck.
Hey, don't rag on the Yugo. I was in one when I was in Europe and it's not that bad. It would be like $5000 new here if it was sold. For the money you people spent, you could've gotten some nice American or Japanese cars that might not look as nice or be as fast, but they would last you a decade or two.
I remember when TOYOTAS and HONDAS sucked, give the little guy a break.
I can't believe I was dumb enough to think that just because a car is new that I won't have to fix it for a while. Well that's what I thought before I bought a kia. I have a 99 kia sephia and I can honestly say that I hate this car. I've had a 90 pontiac sunbird, and a 94 grand am, and those cars have a fraction of the problems that I have now with a kia. No local garages can even work on the cars, they either don't have the parts or the software to work on them. Kia is by far the worst car that has ever been produced next to the Edsel.
That's strange... I must be one of the "lucky" ones. I bought my Kia Sephia (not an LS) in 2/1999, and I currently have around 43,000 miles on it. The only major repair I've had to have done with it so far is a replacement of the brake hardware because I let it go too long before getting it seen. Otherwise, I've had NO problems what-so-ever with my Kia... it even "survived" a 950 mile drive recently with absolutely no complications.
I am happy with my 2001 Kia Sephia so far. We have a wonderful dealer. My glove box had a blemish, it was replaced. My horn is intermittent, but I'm sure when I call my dealer it will be taken care of. We have 12,500 miles (when purchased it had 35 miles) and no problems like you guys have reported. I hope I am not speaking to quickly.
The tires are getting worn, but I plan on getting different ones anyway. November 9, 02 I will have the car 1 year.
We had a 98 KIA and see all the trouble everyone is having we have the same problems, just dies going down the road, and brakes have problems too, still paying for a car cannot use.It's a good car as long as you don't drive it out of your drive way. They should recall these cars, with all the trouble everyone is having with them..
Doh, great, I just reserved a Kia 2001 Sephia. Darnit...