1997 Kia Sephia problems
The Kia Sephia is a compact car that was manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors from September 1992 to 2003.
The first generation Sephia was badged Kia Mentor in some markets, and as the Timor S515/S516 in Indonesia. This convention continued on with the second generation version, which was also badged Kia Shuma and Kia Spectra.
First generation (1992)
The first-generation Kia Sephia is the first car that was actually designed by Kia with their own chassis. Engines available were the B-series engines, with the 1.5-liter rated at 59 kilowatts (79 hp), the 1.6-liter 78-kilowatt (105 hp), and the 1.8-liter BP engine at 91-kilowatt (122 hp) from 1994. The car was presented in September 1992 to replace the aging Capital, which was rapidly losing market share. The Sephia proved quite successful, selling over 100,000 in its first full year in the home market (1993). A total of 472,920 Sephias were sold over the life of the original Sephia.
In the United States, sales began in late 1993 for the 1994 model year. This was the first Kia to be exported to the US. An update came in the 1995 model year when grille and tail lights were restyled and all US-market Sephias except California-market RS/LS models got upgraded to the new 1.8-liter DOHC four-cylinder BP engine as used in the Mazda Familia (BG). Kia licensed the engine design from Mazda, but manufactured it themselves.
It was launched in Europe in the spring of 1994 as the Kia Sephia in some markets and in others, including the United Kingdom, as the Kia Mentor. It was similar in size to best-selling European small family cars like the Ford Escort, but was priced similarly to smaller cars like the Ford Fiesta. Its key rivals in Europe were budget-priced Eastern European and Far Eastern imported products including the Daewoo Nexia, Hyundai Accent, Proton Persona and Skoda Felicia. In Brazil, the car went on the market in March 1994. It was only offered with the 1.5-liter twin cam engine with 112 PS (82 kW) and was considered a competitor to the domestically built Chevrolet Omega and Volkswagen Santana. To make a car suitable for the Brazilian market, Kia went through the trouble of studying Brazilian road surfacing and importing 1,000 litres (260 US gal) of Brazilian gasoline to properly program the engine management.
Kia presented a conceptual convertible version of the first generation Sephia, which was named "Kia Sephia Cabrio" at some auto shows.
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Common 1997 Kia Sephia problems
Based on the complaints from owners of the 1997 Kia Sephia, several common problems have been reported:
- Stalls While Idling:
- This issue involves the car stalling when idling, which can be a frustrating problem for drivers. It can be indicative of various underlying issues such as fuel delivery problems, sensor malfunctions, or issues with the engine's idle control system.
- Transmission Issues:
- Owners have reported problems with the transmission not engaging properly, particularly when starting the car. This can lead to difficulties in shifting gears and may require a thorough inspection by a mechanic to diagnose and resolve the issue.
- Electrical Problems:
- Electrical issues are common in the 1997 Kia Sephia, with complaints ranging from faulty lamps ignition to problems with the electrical system. These issues can manifest in various ways, affecting the car's lighting, electronics, and overall performance.
- Acceleration Problems:
- Some owners have experienced issues with acceleration, where the car chokes or fails to respond properly when reaching a certain temperature. This can be a dangerous problem, especially when driving, and may require a comprehensive diagnostic check to identify the root cause.
- Starting Issues:
- Another reported problem is difficulty starting the car, which can be caused by issues with the fuel pump, ignition system, or other components related to the starting process. This problem can be particularly inconvenient and may require professional attention to diagnose and fix.
These common problems with the 1997 Kia Sephia highlight a range of issues that owners have faced over the years. Addressing these concerns promptly and accurately is crucial to maintaining the car's performance and ensuring a safe driving experience.
How much horsepower does a 1997 Kia Sephia have?
122 @ 6000 RPM
Performance
| Horsepower | 122 @ 6000 RPM |
|---|---|
| Torque | 117 @ 4000 rpm |
| Engine | 4-Cyl, 1.8 Liter |
When did they stop making Kia Sephia?
2003
The Kia Sephia is a compact car that was manufactured by the South Korean automaker Kia Motors from September 1992 to 2003.
What kind of engine is in the Kia Sephia?
The Kia Sephia I 1.6i has a Inline 4, Petrol engine with 1598 cm3 / 97.5 cu-in capacity.
Which Kia has the most powerful engine?
And now you are in the ev6 GT. Hundred thousand dollars or 99 590 plus on-road cost to be precise. And you've got the performance Pinnacle of Kia's electric vehicle.
1997 Kia Sephia car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Sephia problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Service brakes problems
- Hydraulic problems
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 1997 Kia Sephia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 1997 Kia Sephia
The NHTSA has received 266 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1997 Kia Sephia. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1997 Kia Sephia vehicles.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-03-23
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I PURCHASED A 2007 KIA OPTIMA USED IN OCTOBER 2007. THE CAR HAD ROUGHLY 18,000 MILES ON IT WHEN I PURCHASED IT. SHORTLY AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IN LATE 2009, THE DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND HAS REMAINED ON EVER SINCE. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON, EVEN WHEN A NORMAL-SIZED ADULT SITS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-08-08
- VIN: KNAFA1251V5
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD IS WARPED/COMING UP AND HAS BENT/RUINED THE DEFROST/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. IT HAPPENED ALL ON IT'S OWN, WE DID NOTHING TO PROVOKE THIS. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN A WRECK. I AM CONCERNED IF IT HAS CAUSED AIRBAG DAMAGE. IT IS A HAZARD NOT TO BE ABLE TO DEFROST/DEFOG WINDOWS. ALSO THE TAILPIPE KEEPS GETTING HOLES IN IT AND WE HAVE TO KEEP GETTING WELDING DONE ON IT. *JB
VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,INTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-09-24
- VIN: KNAFA1251V5
- Components: VISIBILITY,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE,INTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: DASHBOARD WARPED AND COMING UP AND TOUCHING WINDSHIELD. IT IS BREAKING OR BLOCKING THE VENT/DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM. THEREFORE THE WINDOWS BARELY DEFROST AND THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD. I KNOW OF TWO OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. ALSO "DOOR OPEN" LIGHT REMAINS ON AND DRAINS BATTERY. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1998-03-01
- VIN: KNAFA1256V5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL REMAINS ILLUMINATED. HE DOES NOT KNOW IF THE AIR BAGS ARE WORKING PROPERLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO, ESPECIALLY SINCE HIS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE COST WOULD BE $750 TO HAVE THE SENSOR REPAIRED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE NUMEROUS AMOUNTS OF COMPLAINTS, BUT IT IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 18,355 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 300. UPDATED 09/05/07. *JB
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-03-13
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFA125XV5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: AIRBAG FAILED TO DEPLOY DURING A FRONT END CRASH. INJURIES INCLUDED HEAD,NECK AND BACK .THE CAR WAS TOTALED.*AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-10-02
- VIN: KNAFA1254V5
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-02-01
- VIN: KNAFA1250V5
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I NOTICED A CLUNKING SOUND IN MY FRONT END OF MY 1997 KIA SEPHIA. THIS CAR ONLY HAS 49,000 MILES ON IT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD I NEEDED NEW AXLE SHAFTS ON BOTH SIDES. THE DEALER INFORMED ME HE WOULD HAVE TO ORDER THE PARTS OVERNIGHT AND THAT HE DID NOT WANT ME TO PICK UP THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. THE AXLE SHAFTS ARE CRUMBLING AND HE HAS NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY. HE SAID YOU DON'T SEE THAT IN KIA VEHICLES. THANKFULLY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT BUT HAD I WAITED THE CONSEQUENCES COULD HAVE BEEN DEVASTATING. MY CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS, AND I HAVE ASKED THEM TO HOLD ON TO THE AXLE SHAFTS WHEN THEY ARE REMOVED. *NM
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-10
- VIN: KNAFA1255V5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: DT: 1997 KIA SEPHIA, THE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING. WHEN THE CONSUMER ENTERED THE VEHICLE SHE SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. UPON INSPECTING THE DASH SHE NOTICED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DASH WAS BURNED. WHEN THE CONSUMER CLEANED THE DASH THE CLEANING CLOTH SMELLED BURNED AND THERE WAS A BROWN RESIDUE ON THE CLOTH. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE CONSUMER CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE IT FIXED. *AK *JB *NM
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-08-15
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFA1255V5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DT: CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER CAR ON AUGUST 15, 2005, AND THE AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. WERE STILL UNSURE OF THE EXTEND OF THE INJURIES TO THE CONSUMER. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS UNHELPFUL TO THE CONSUMER. THEY TOLD THE CONSUMER THAT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD NOT HAVE DEPLOYED UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES. ALTHOUGH OTHER INFORMATION THEY SENT HER SAID THAT THE AIR BAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. *AK
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-08-17
- VIN: KNAFA1251V5
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I HAVE A 1997 KIA SEPHIA RS AND I HAVE REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR BELT 11 TIMES AND 4 OF THOSE HAVE BEEN IN THE LAST 3 MONTHS. I AM UNABLE TO GET ANY ANSWERS ABOUT WHY THE BELT KEEPS BREAKING FROM ANY REPAIR SHOP, OTHER THAN IT MUST BE A SIZING DEFECT BY KIA. THIS LAST BELT WAS REPLACED 6/05 AND BROKE OFF AGAIN 8/17/05. I CAN ONLY SEEM TO GET ABOUT 1-3 MONTH USE FROM A BELT. I CHECKED WITH THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR, WHICH I KNEW AND SHE INDICATES THAT SHE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. I NOW HAVE SPOKEN TO ANOTHER KIA SEPHIA RS OWNER SAME YEAR AND THEY GOT RID OF THEIRS FOR THAT VERY REASON.*JB
VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 1999-08-18
- VIN: KNAFA1258V5
- Components: VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE
- Summary: DT: CONSUMER OWNS 1997 KIA SEPHIA. SHE HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE DASHBOARD. THE VENTS FOR THE DEFROSTER FELL OFF, AND THE DASHBOARD WAS BROWN, WHICH BEGAN AS A SMALL SPOT AND GREW TO COVER THE WHOLE DASHBOARD. SHE WAS CONCERNED THAT THE DASHBOARD FALLING APART MIGHT SOMEHOW AFFECT THE AIRBAGS. SHE SAYS THAT THERE IS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM DASH, SMELL HAS BEEN THERE SINCE SHE PURCHASED VEHICLE. SHE DID PURCHASE VEHICLE NEW.*AK
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-07-30
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFA1255V5
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: DT: THE CONTACT OWNED A 1997 KIA SEPHIA. CONTACT'S VEHICLE REAR ENDED ANOTHER VEHICLE AT 35 MPH . UPON IMPACT, THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY.THERE WERE THREE OCCUPANTS IN THE CAR ALL WEARING SEAT BELTS. THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT BROKE . THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT HAD NOT BEEN ON IN THIS VEHICLE NOR WAS IT ON AFTER THE CRASH. ONE PERSON SUSTAINED INJURIES BECAUSE OF THE SEAT BELT. SHE BROKE TWO RIBS. *AK
SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-03-04
- Components: SEAT BELTS
- Summary: BOTH OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS WILL NOT REATRACT BACK TO NORMAL POSITION, WHICH IS PREVENTING THE REAR PASSENGERS FROM BEING SAFE IF THE VEHICLE WERE TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN CONTACTED BY CONSUMER.*AK
AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-08-05
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFA1251V5
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS
- Summary: CONSUMER WAS DRIVING WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION HEAD ON . SEAT BELT BROKE, THROWING THE CONSUMER THREW THE DRIVER'S WINDSHIELD. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK CONSUMER IS IN A COMA. *NM
AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-06-22
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFA1258V5
- Components: AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD LIFTED UP FROM THE CHASSIS OF THE VEHICLE. ALSO, THERE WAS A HOLE THAT BURNED INTO THE TOP OF THE DASHBOARD. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED WITH THE AIR BAGS NOT DEPLOYING OR DEPLOYING PREMATURELY. *AK *SC *JB
SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-06-01
- VIN: KNAFA1252V5
- Components: SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: PROBLEMS WITH SEAT BELTS AND DASHBOARD. *MR *SC *JB
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-02-15
- VIN: KNAFA1259V5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES FELT BAD BECAUSE I HAD TO PUSH THE BRAKE ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR. AFTER HAVING IT FOR 2 WEEKS OTHER THING STARTED TO GO WRONG. I HAD TO BUY A CAP AND ROTOR AND GET SPARK PLUG AND WIRES. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS MESSING UP. THEY ARE NOT WILLING TO PUT ME IN SOMETHING BETTER. THEY WANT ME TO PAY ON A JUNK CAR THAT I WILL ALWAYS HAVE TO BE FIXING DAY AFTER DAY.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-12-04
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE LOOSES POWER. DEALER INDICATED AND PERFORMED A TUNE UP ON THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER STATES THE PROBLEM IS RECURRING. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *PH
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE PASSENGER SIDE DASHBOARD IS LIFTING UP, CONSUMER BELIEVES THIS MAY CAUSE THE AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-07-01
- VIN: KNAFA1257V5
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD ON THIS YEAR VEHICLE STARTS TO CURL AND IS HEADING TOWARDS THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG WHICH MAY POP AND CAUSE INJURIES OR FATALITIES. THE DASHBOARD ALSO BREAKS THE PLASTIC VENTS WHICH THEN DOES NOT DISTRIBUTE THE AIR ON THE DEFROSTER PROPERLY WHICH THEN COULD ALSO CAUSE FATALITIES OR INJURIES.
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-17
- VIN: KNAFA1255V5
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD IS PULLING APART AND THIS IS UNSAFE AND I WORRY ABOUT THE AIR BAGS BLASTING OFF AND OTHER DAMAGE. I KNOW THIS PROBLEM IS PREVELANT TO THIS CAR ALSO THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE BREAKS THEY SQUEAK HORRIBLY, BUT THE BREAK PEOPLE SAY THEY DON'T NEED TO BE REPLACED, UNSURE OF THE CAUSE.*AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD CAME LOOSE AND LIFTED FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE.*MR. THE MOLDING STRIP AROUND THE REAR WINDOW WAS LOOSE.*TS *JB
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: THE DASHBOARD AREA, IN FRONT OF DRIVER'S SEAT DEVELOPED "BURN" SPOTS AND SINCE THEN POPPED OUT, NEAR THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. AS A RESULT, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED RESPIRATORY PROBLEMS AND BLURRED VISION WHEN DRIVING FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE SUN CONTACTED THE DASH AND HAD GIVEN OFF SOME TYPE OF CHEMICAL. *AK THE BURN SPOT WAS APPROXIMATELY 12 INCHES IN DIAMETER. EVERY THREE TO FOUR DAYS IT CREATED A FILM ON THE INSIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD(THE SIZE OF THE BURN AREA) AND ALSO HAD GIVEN OFF AN ODOR. THE ODOR MADE THE CONSUMER'S HUSBAND SICK AND HER SISTER'S EYES BURN. *SCC *JB
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-11-24
- VIN: KNAFA1253V5
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: WHEN THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN TRAFFIC WHICH MADE IT A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *NLM PH *JB
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2003-05-17
- VIN: KNAFA1252V5
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
- Summary: TOOK CAR INTO DEALER BECAUSE BRAKES WERE PULSING. SERVICE CONSULTANT SHOWED ME A SERVICE BULLETIN INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE ORIGINAL ROTORS AND THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THEM WITH A NEWER DESIGN THAT WAS NOT SUBJECT TO HEAT WARPING. THE EXTRA COST TO ME FOR REPLACEMENT ROTORS $110 ABOVE THE COST OF REPLACING THE PADS AND CALIPHERS, WHICH INCREASED THE TOTAL COST OF THE BRAKE JOB TO $307.
1997 Kia Sephia recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 1 recalls for different components of the 1997 Kia Sephia.
- Manufacturer: KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
- Components: SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
- Summary: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE SAFETY BELT BUCKLE MAY "FALSE LATCH" AND EXPOSE THE DRIVER TO UNRESTRAINED MOVEMENT DURING A CRASH.
- Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
- Remedy: OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 20, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.
Negative 1997 Kia Sephia car reviews
Positive 1997 Kia Sephia car reviews
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Well, at first I had some problems, but I decided that I wanted to street race in this car. So, I rebuilt my motor with some performance parts, and it has worked out great! I put aluminium pistons with aluminium rings, and the block was cut by 20, plus some more modifications. Right now, it did about a 15.1 on the 1/4, so it's pretty good.
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Hey there! Did you know that Kia has come a long way? They used to get a bad rap, but now they're on track to becoming one of the top 5 automakers in the world!
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This was a fantastic 2nd car and it would have carried me all the way through college if I hadn't hurt it so badly. It's peppy and moves when you ask it to, making it great for road tripping. Although it lacks cruise control, it gets good gas mileage. The car was overall easy to own, with smooth shifting and a quiet engine. It was also easy to work on as long as you could find the parts. I feel like I got an amazing value for what I paid for the car.
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I am proud to say that my experience with Kia has been exceptional. Despite some negative experiences reported by other Kia owners, I was confident in my decision to purchase a Kia Sephia in April 1998, even though they were just being introduced to my area. Since then, I have purchased a second Kia and both have proven to be reliable with one having 59,000 miles and the other 19,000 miles. I am confident that they will continue to perform well as their mileage increases.
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I bought my Kia with 6,800 miles on it and now, with over 115,000 miles, I can confidently say that it has been a reliable car. I have had to replace a few parts such as plugs, wires, water pump, and alternator, as well as 2 sets of CV's on each side, but nothing out of the ordinary. I have even taken it on long road trips across the country 7 times and it has never let me down. I know there are some negative opinions about this car, but I feel fortunate to have had such a positive experience with it.
Additional sources
More sources of information about 1997 Kia Sephia problems:
Q&A: Kia Sephia 1997 Engine Issues - DTC P1500, Idle Control ...
May 4, 2009 ... You can test this motor by using a voltmeter, backprobe the wires on the iac motor, put one voltmeter leak on each of the two wires, start ...
Idle Air Control Valve, 97 sephia | Kia Forum
Mar 23, 2008 ... You're right, Idle Speed Control - ISC (IAC) problems are fairly common. Take a look at the in web sit in my sig and you'll find a lot more ...
What's Wrong with the Kia Sephia?
Dec 31, 2018 ... Worst Issues ; dashboard lifted badly in the 2000 Sephia. 3 ; check engine light is on in the 2001 Sephia. 2 ; stalls while idling in the 1997 ...
Common Problems With '03 Sorento | Kia Forum
Apr 6, 2006 ... Problem Starting And Idling. 2 replies 2K views. R · 1G (1993 - 1997) Sephia. Posted by rob061883 Updated Feb 10, 2005 · Common Probelms With 97 ...
Q&A: 1995 Kia Sephia - Common Issues & Troubleshooting
Mar 26, 2009 ... My kia sephia is a 1995 and some times when you are driven along it just dies on me some times it will start back up and - Answered by a ...
Other years of Kia Sephia
Are you having problems with your 1997 Kia Sephia?
Cedrick Miller 2024-11-26
Despite experiencing an idling problem during the warranty period, this vehicle has proven to be a reliable and enjoyable ride. While idling, the engine fluctuates between not receiving enough or too much gas, causing it to stall at stops. However, this issue has not prevented the vehicle from running smoothly while in motion. Although the dealership attempted to fix the issue by replacing the sensor three times, the problem persisted. Despite this setback, the vehicle has surpassed 150,000 miles and continues to run strongly with no unexpected maintenance issues, aside from the idling problem. The interior shows some wear and tear, but this is to be expected given the mileage and usage. Overall, this vehicle has been a great investment, providing excellent handling in various conditions such as mountains, snow, and curves.
Eliezer White 2024-10-24
You've done a great job maintaining your car with regular oil changes, plug replacements, and even new tires! It's impressive that you've been taking care of it since 1997 and it's still running strong with 97,256 miles on it. Although there are a few minor issues such as the interior top window dash being bent upward from heat and the fan motor not turning on for heat or air, it's great that you're checking the fuse to troubleshoot the problem. Overall, your car has been very reliable and it's understandable that the engine light can be temperamental. You did the right thing by having a mechanic check it out and confirming that everything is okay. Keep up the good work!
Alex Sporer 2024-09-26
As of this date, the car has 34k miles on it. It has accumulated quite a few pieces of paper from the dealerships that serviced it for one problem or another. I'm hoping to find someone who would be interested in buying it.
Alejandrin Luettgen 2024-08-01
I completely understand that Kias have had a bad reputation in the past, but I have to say that my own Kia has been incredibly reliable since I purchased it brand new 7 years ago. While it did experience some typical brake issues during the warranty period, Kia quickly resolved the problem by introducing better brake pads. I have taken my Kia on numerous trips and use it extensively for work, and it has never once let me down.
Norris Bednar 2024-05-21
Congratulations on your new car! It's great to hear that the engine runs smoothly and is responsive despite having 148,000 miles on it. The car also handles well and has decent gas mileage at 28 mpg. Although there are a few minor issues such as the radio not working, the check engine light being on, and no turn signals, I believe it will still be a good car. Additionally, as someone who is 6 feet tall, you have plenty of room and it can seat 4 people fairly comfortably. Overall, I would definitely recommend a Kia, even an older one with a lot of miles. Thank you for sharing your experience with us!