2001 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 2001 Kia Sephia problems
The Kia Sephia is a compact car produced by Kia Motors from 1992 to 2003. While the 2001 model is generally considered reliable, there are some common problems that owners have reported.
- Engine Misfires and Plug Wires: Engine misfires are a common issue in the Kia Sephia, often caused by faulty plug wires. These wires may throw a misfire code and should be replaced, with the correct gap set to .028-.032.
- Frozen Door Handles: Another common problem is frozen door handles, which can prevent you from getting in or out of the car or cause the door not to latch shut. Warming up the car with the heat on can help thaw the handle, but it may take some time. Some owners have also found success in using grease or silicon to help, but this is not always effective.
- Random/No Starts: Random or no starts can be caused by corroded battery cables. Regular cleaning of these cables can help prevent this issue.
- Camshaft Sensor Circuit Low Input (P0342): This code indicates a problem with the camshaft sensor circuit, which can cause the engine to stall or fail to start. This issue may be caused by a broken timing belt, which can lead to expensive engine repairs or replacement.
- Fuel Level Circuit Malfunction (P0460): This code indicates a problem with the fuel level sensor circuit, which may not affect the car's performance but can cause the check engine light to come on.
- Transmission Temperature Circuit High Input (P0713): This code indicates a problem with the transmission temperature sensor circuit, which can cause the car to overheat or perform poorly.
- Dashboard Lifted Badly: Some owners have reported issues with the dashboard lifting badly in the 2000 Sephia, which can affect the car's appearance and functionality.
- Check Engine Light On: The check engine light coming on is a common issue in the 2001 Sephia, often caused by engine or electrical problems.
- Stalls While Idling: This issue can be caused by a variety of problems, including engine or electrical issues.
- Airbag Caught Fire on Deployment: This is a rare but serious issue that has been reported in the 2001 Sephia.
- Doesn't Start: Some owners have reported issues with the car not starting, which can be caused by a variety of problems, including engine or electrical issues.
- Engine Problems: Engine issues are a common problem in the Kia Sephia, often caused by faulty sensors or components.
- Electrical Problems: Electrical issues are a common problem in the Kia Sephia, often caused by faulty wiring or sensors.
- Interior Problems: Interior issues, such as dashboard lift, are a common problem in the Kia Sephia.
- Airbags & Seat Belts Problems: Airbag and seat belt issues are a rare but serious problem that has been reported in the Kia Sephia.
- Body Problems: Body issues, such as dashboard lift, are a common problem in the Kia Sephia.
It is important to note that these issues are not necessarily indicative of a widespread problem with the Kia Sephia, but rather a collection of common issues reported by owners. Regular maintenance and inspections can help prevent many of these issues, and prompt attention to any warning lights or unusual symptoms can help catch problems early before they become more serious.
What is the gas mileage for a 2001 Kia Sephia?
Based on data from 12 vehicles, 219 fuel-ups and 63,572 miles of driving, the 2001 Kia Sephia gets a combined Avg MPG of 26.53 with a 0.71 MPG margin of error.
How much horsepower does a 2001 Kia Sephia have?
All 2001 Sephia trim variations have 125 horsepower.
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.
2001 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:
- Engine and engine cooling problems
- Air bags problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Service brakes problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2001 Kia Sephia vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2001 Kia Sephia
The NHTSA has received 115 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2001 Kia Sephia. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2001 Kia Sephia vehicles.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2016-07-10
- VIN: KNAFB121X15
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
- Summary: HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHES. MY CELL IS [XXX] I JUST WANT A NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX THIS IN 07646 AREA CODE. I,E AN EXPERT ON POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [XXX] THIS IS SORT OF A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS I NEED A KIA SPECIALISTS HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2012-05-04
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFB121015
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-07-27
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
- Summary: CAR GIVES OFF A VERY BAD GAS ODOR. EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR, THE GAS INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD GOES DOWN AND CAR CUTS OFF ON ME WHEN IM DOING 20 MPH. *TR
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-01-04
- VIN: KNAFB121503
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK-UP PLAN IN THE MANUAL, WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT TO BEGAN WITH? IT WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO DO THIS? I THINK IT IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE MY GEAR SHIFT CABLE. LIKE I SAID, IT IS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO USE A SCREW DRIVER IF THE GEAR SHIFT FAILS. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-09-15
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE FUEL DAMPENER AT THE CONNECTION WITH THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2011-01-02
- VIN: KNAFB121X15
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A COFFEE SHOP I PARKED MY CAR THERE BUT I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR, LUCKY ME I CAN OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND I GOT OUT FROM THERE. AFTER I LEFT THE COFFEE SHOP I HAD TO GET IN FROM THE SAME DOOR WHEN I GOT OUT, WHEN I GOT HOME I CAN OPEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR LOCKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER I LEFT IT FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT -6 DEGREE, I WENT ONLINE CHECKED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME TYPE OF CAR THAT I HAD , I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PRESSURED TO KIA LET THEM RECALL ALL OF THE MODEL WHICH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TO CORRECT IT! *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-08-01
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Crash: 1
- VIN: KNAFB121815
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA ON AUGUST 1, 2006 WHEN A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE PULLED INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. MY SEPHIA COLLIDED WITH THE BONNEVILLE AT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SON (FRONT SEAT PASSENGER) WAS THROWN INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHERE HIS HEAD WAS LODGED IN THE GLASS. HE SUSTAINED A SEVERE AND PERMANENT CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND NOW REQUIRES 24/7 CARE. IN ADDITION TO SUFFERING A CLOSED HEAD INJURY, MY SON'S KNEE IMPACTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED SEVERE HIP AND LEG INJURIES. KIA DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND LITIGATION IS ONGOING. EXPERTS IN THE LITIGATION ESTIMATE THE EBS OF THE CRASH TO BE BETWEEN 12 & 18 MPH. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2010-04-22
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2009-03-28
- Number Of Injuries: 2
- Number Of Deaths: 1
- Crash: 1
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: 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 WEARING HER SEATBELT. IF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE, SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE WITH ME TODAY. SHE WAS ONLY 21 YEARS OLD AND HAD EVERYTHING TO LIVE FOR. THIS *#>*^$ CAR KILLED MY ONLY DAUGHTER! ! ! HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE KIA GETS THE MESSAGE AND DOES SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT. THESE CARS DO NOT NEED TO BE IN THE U.S.A. KIA HAS BEEN GETTING REPORTS SINCE 2001 THAT THE AIRBAGS ON THIS CAR FAIL TO DEPLOY. THEY ARE GUILTY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE! ! HELP! *TR
VISIBILITY PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-04-15
- VIN: KNAFB121515
- Components: VISIBILITY
- Summary: IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WENT DOWN. IF I PUSHED DOWN, IT WENT UP.) SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $580.00 TO REPLACE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MASTER MECHANIC INSTRUCTOR THAT WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS CHANGED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FROM METAL TO PLASTIC PARTS, THAT THEY DON'T LAST ANYMORE. BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE $580.00 TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE A THICK PIECE OF PAPER WEDGED IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP. IN MAR 08, THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING THEN IN AUG 08, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW IS THE ONLY WINDOW THAT OPENS AND CLOSES. DRIVING AROUND TOWN, I SEE MANY VEHICLES WITH TAPE OR PIECES OF PAPER STUCK IN THEIR WINDOWS, SO I KNOW MINE ISN'T THE ONLY VEHICLE DOING THIS. BOTH OF MY SONS VEHICLES HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. I DRIVE A POLICE VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. WHEN OUR VEHICLES' WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK, (WHICH IS OFTEN), THE CITY SHOP REPAIRS THEM RIGHT AWAY. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2008-12-06
- VIN: KNAFB121915
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2007-12-18
- VIN: KNAFB121315
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WATER WAS COLLECTING INSIDE THE DRIVER SIDE TAIL LIGHT HOUSING. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE WARRANTY WAS NOT BUMPER-TO-BUMPER AND WOULD NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE UNDER WARRANTY. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 33,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 32,000.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-08-12
- VIN: KNAFB121015
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: IN AUGUST OF 2006 I HAD TAKEN MY CAR IN FOR BRAKES. COMING TO FIND OUT MY BRAKES WERE BAD, I NEEDED NEW ROTORS AND MY WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT. CAUSING ME TO LOSE MY BRAKES ONE DAY ON MY WAY TO WORK. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED IN TO HAVE IT FIXED. CALLED THE DEALER THEY SAID THERE IS NO COMPLAINTS ON THIS. HAD THE CAR FIXED.. TOOK THEM 6 HOURS TO BLEED THE BRAKES. TOOK THE CAR HOME, THE NEXT MORNING WENT TO LEAVE AND HAD NO BRAKES AGAIN. HAD IT TOWED BACK TO SHOP. HAD TO BLEED BRAKES AGAIN, THEN IN DECEMBER I WENT TO LEAVE FOR WORK AND THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, I HAD NO BRAKES. GOT THE CAR TO THE SAME SHOP THAT FIXED IT THE FIRST TIME. COMING TO FIND OUT THE WHEEL CYLINDERS BLEW OUT AGAIN CAUSING BRAKE FLUID TO LEAK ALL OVER MY BRAKES. THEY HAD TO REPLACE MY WHEEL CYLINDERS AND BRAKES . THEY WANTE TO CHARGE ME LABOR SINCE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART. I REFUSED TO PAY THE LABOR. WE TOLD THEM NOT TO TOUCH THE CAR UNTIL WE CALLED THEM BACK. (I THINK THEY KNEW I WAS CALLING SOMEONE ELSE) THEY CALLED ME BACK NOT EVEN 5 MINUTES LATER AND THEY OFFERED TO EAT THE COST OF THE LABOR. SO IT WAS FIXED FOR NOTHING AND TO THIS DAY IT STILL ACTS UP. I THINK THIS SHOULD BE A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS SINCE I READ MORE OF THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO OTHERS. *JB
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-08-26
- VIN: KNAFB121615
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
- Summary: 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
EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2006-06-15
- VIN: KNAFB121715
- Components: EQUIPMENT
- Summary: DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WITHOUT WARNING THE RADIO STOPPED WORKING AND THERE WAS A BURNING ODOR. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE RADIO AND FOUND MELTED WIRES. THE CONTACT REPLACED THE WIRES AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SEEN BY A MECHANIC. *AK
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-01-10
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: 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
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-05-03
- VIN: KNAFB121615
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: DT: DASHBOARD SEPARATED FROM WINDSHIELD WITHOUT WARNING. DRIVER'S SIDE CAME LOOSE, AND NOW THE OTHER SIDE WAS LOOSE. MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED, AND THEY SAID THEY HAD A RECALL ON THAT PROBLEM. DEALER HAS NOT BEEN CONTACTED YET.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-11-21
- VIN: KNAFB121115
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING. THEN ANOTHER DAY THE CAR DIED GOING DOWN THE ROAD. I MANAGED TO GET OFF THE ROAD, AND THEN I GOT IT STARTED BACK UP ,AND WAS GOING HOME AND THE CAR STOPPED RUNNING AGAIN. WHEN I GOT IT RUNNING AGAIN I TOOK IT HOME, AND I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. I BOUGHT IT AT A USED CAR DEALER AND IT ONLY HAD 37,000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT BOUGHT IT. IT IS NOT QUITE 93,000 MILES ON IT NOW AND I AM STILL HAVING TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE. I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKE PADS 3 TIMES.THE DYA IT QUIT RUNNING TWICE WITH ME IS DEC. 21 MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.I DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY TO TAKE IT TO A MECHANIC. SO I JUST PARKED IT IN MY BACKYARD.*AK
STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-01
- VIN: KNAFB121515
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: AT COLD TEMPERATURES DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HAD TROUBLE OPENING AND CLOSING. WHEN TAKEN TO DEALER FOR SERVICE THE SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED. THERE WAS AN INCIDENT WHERE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING AND SUDDENLY THE DOOR OPENED. CONSUMER HAD TO HOLD THE DOOR SHUT UNTIL SHE ARRIVED AT HER DESTINATION.*AK
POWER TRAIN PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-05-02
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED VEHICLE STALLED. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND REPLACED IT. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED, AND THE MECHANIC REPLACED THE CONTROL MODULE. THE PROBLEM RECURRED ONCE AGAIN. *AK
SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2005-01-24
- VIN: KNAFB1216Y5
- Components: SEAT BELTS,EQUIPMENT
- Summary: MY THEN 10 YEAR OLD SON GOT STUCK WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT WOULD NOT RELEASE. TO GET HIMSELF OUT HE ALONE PUSHED HIS HIPS FORWARD. THIS BROKE THE SEAT BELT MECHANISM. AS OF LATE OUR FRONT SEAT BELTS HAVE BEEN DIFFICULT TO ENGAGE. TODAY, AFTER DRIVING AROUND FOR ABOUT 5-10 MINUTES, I REACHED OUT MY WINDOW AND MY SEAT BELT DISENGAGED. I HAVE BEEN VERY CAREFUL TO BE SURE THAT I AM PROPERLY BUCKLED BY SECURELY LATCHING AND THEN PULLING FIRMLY ON THE BELT AS WOULD HAPPEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I DID THAT THIS TIME BUT IT STILL CAME UNLATCHED AFTER I WAS SURE I WAS SAFE. *NM
EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-10-01
- Components: EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: WHILE BACKING OUT PASSENGER'S SIDE TAIL LIGHT FAILED TO COME ON. CONSUMER REPLACED THE LIGHT FIXTURE WITH A FUSE AND BULB, BUT PROBLEM RECURRED. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE PROBLEM COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. *AK
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2004-07-17
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH CONSUMER HEARD A LOUD NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND PULLED OVER. CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER'S FRONT TIRE BLEW OUT. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR INSPECTION. MANUFACTURER INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE TIRES THAT WERE PUT ON THE VEHICLE WERE THE INCORRECT SIZE. *AK
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-01
- VIN: KNAFB121415
- Components: LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
- Summary: IN FREEZING TEMPATURES DOOR LOCK FREEZE UP AND ARE UNABLE TO BE OPENED FROM EITHER THE INSIDE OR OUT. ALSO DOOR LATCH WILL FREEZE AS WELL CAUSING DOOR TO NOT LATCH PROPERLY UNTIL CAR HAS WARMED UP.
POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,WHEELS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2002-01-14
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE,WHEELS
- Summary: 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 DAYS SINCE. I HAVE KEPT UP WITH ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE. SORRY, BUT THIS CAR IS JUNK. AND I HATE TO HAVE HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE BUYING MY FIRST NEW VEHICLE. *JB
Negative 2001 Kia Sephia car reviews
Positive 2001 Kia Sephia car reviews
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Hi there! I'm so glad to hear that you're a satisfied Kia customer! Your brand new car, including taxes and fees, was only about $12,000, which is such a great deal. I completely agree that buying new is well worth it, especially when you're deciding between a cheap new car and a used one that costs just as much. I used to have used cars, and it was always a hassle to deal with the repair bills every month. With a new car, you don't have to worry about that! I know that newer cars have a higher insurance cost, but the peace of mind that comes with having a reliable car is priceless. There are so many 'cheap' cars out there, but I'm glad you chose the Kia. It's such a dependable car! Thanks for sharing your experience with us.
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I'm so glad you found a vehicle that meets your needs! It's great to hear that it gets over 32 mpg and has lots of pick up and speed. The lumbar support sounds like a real plus, especially if you have a bad back. It's also wonderful that it has never needed a repair and copes well with heavy mountain driving and high gas prices. Although it seems like the body may dent easily and it loses some power when the AC is on, overall it sounds like a great vehicle for the price. Thanks for sharing your experience with us!
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I bought my 5 speed Sephia brand new in '01 and have never had a problem. I think this is a great investment. I do regret to say I am thinking of trading my car in after a few years (and 2 children) but the good news is that I'm getting another Kia! It's such a dependable car!
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This car is very dependable. The only issue I have encountered is that the AC comes on when using the windshield defroster. Additionally, the oval shape of the trunk makes it difficult to fully utilize the spacious trunk space, despite the seats being able to fold down. The design of the trunk to backseat oval shape is quite ridiculous.
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Hi there! I'm so glad to hear that you've been enjoying your Kia since your purchase in 1999. It's great to hear that you haven't had any troubles with it. If you're interested, we'd be more than happy to help you purchase another one. Let us know if you have any questions or if there's anything we can do to assist you!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2001 Kia Sephia problems:
Most Common Issues 98-2001 Sephia | Kia Forum
Apr 11, 2011 ... Most Common Issues 98-2001 Sephia · 1. Plug wires= Throws a misfire code · 2. Plugs upon replacement= Plugs always say "pre-gapped" they will be ...
2001 Kia Sephia engine codes and problems - Maintenance ...
Jun 3, 2014 ... This should be an interference fit engine so codes, sensors, and whatnot are out of the loop at this point as the engine likely has severe ...
What's Wrong with the Kia Sephia?
Dec 31, 2018 ... Worst Issues · dashboard lifted badly in the 2000 Sephia. 3 complaints · check engine light is on in the 2001 Sephia. 2 complaints · stalls while ...
Common Electrical Problems in 2007 Kia Spectra - Q&A
Mar 13, 2012 ... Some of these have issues with the wiring under the main fuse box under the hood. I would start by opening up the box and looking for corrosion.
Kia Sephia Problems and Complaints - 2 Issues
Top Kia Sephia Problems · Kia Issues New Alternator to Replace Weak One. 27 people have reported this. 7 · No Crank or No Start Due to Cracked Flex Plate. 12 ...
Other years of Kia Sephia
Are you having problems with your 2001 Kia Sephia?
Giles Watsica 2024-11-06
I have experienced issues with my car since it reached 40,000 miles. Despite multiple attempts to fix the problem, it continued to lose power and jerk while driving, similar to the experience of learning to drive a manual transmission. Although the codes kept blowing out, Kia Motors has consistently supported me throughout the process. I am still working to resolve the issue, and have also noticed some paint peeling near the trunk of the car.
Jamaal Padberg 2024-10-21
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share my experience with my Kia that I purchased brand new in 2001. It has been a great commuter car for me and I'm happy to report that it just turned over 51000 miles! Recently, I took it on a road trip from St. Louis to Woodbridge, VA (30 miles S of D.C.) and was impressed that I only used 2 tanks of gas for the 800+ mile trip. My son was amazed too! I've also taken it to TX, AR, and MS with no problems at all. Of course, I've kept up with regular maintenance and have only had to replace a right front strut assembly, tires, and brakes. The only issue I've had is crossed wires that make my windshield wipers come on when I turn on the A/C. This happened after some less-than-stellar body work, but overall, I'm still very happy with my small 4 cyl Kia. It runs well, but is starting to show its age with a constant rattle from the engine heat shield.
Dusty Hahn 2024-10-06
With our 10-year warranty, you can expect peace of mind and worry-free driving. Our little car is not only affordable, but it also boasts good gas mileage and a low cost of ownership. We want to make sure you have the best driving experience possible!
Elwyn Ondricka 2024-09-15
I have owned quite a few different cars, but my KIA is my favorite. I bought it from a used car dealership on the 1st of February, and it only had 86,000 miles on it. I absolutely love this car! It has some minor hail damage, but all in all, it looks and runs great. As a mother of three teenage children, I don't need a lot of horsepower in a vehicle, and this car is perfect for us. My children and I both adore it!
Alek Farrell 2024-09-12
Engine and transmission have been reliable so far. However, the brakes, electrical system, air conditioning, body, and interior are cheaply built. Unfortunately, this car does not perform well in snowy conditions, which can be dangerous. The brake and electrical problems have persisted since day 1, requiring numerous trips to the shop. Overall, this has been the worst car I have ever owned. I wish I could have my 13-year-old Nissan Sentra back!