Bulletins
| Bulletin | Bulletin date | Replacement Bulletin | Item no. | Summary | Added |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||||
| 017 | 09/01/2004 | 10016840 | Charging system upgrade. *tt | 10/12/2005 | |
Consumer Complaints
| Fail date | miles | occurences | Purchase date |
|---|---|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | |||
| 12/06/2008 | 52984 | 1 | |
| 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 | |||
| 01/10/2004 | 3 | 05/25/2002 | |
| 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 | |||
| 01/14/2002 | 3000 | 4 | 10/27/2001 |
| 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 | |||
| 12/01/2001 | 1 | 10/08/2001 | |
| Consumer stated that headlights changed from bright to dim constantly. first they were bright, then they gradually became dim. the consumer took the vehicle to several mechanics and was told by that there was nothing they could do because this was a manufacturer's defect. the headlights never stopped working, they just dimmed enough that it was hard to view in front while driving. *ak there was trouble with the keyless entry. the vehicle locked up would not unlock. while driving, the problem seemed worse at a moderate steady speed. *sc *jb | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS | |||
| 03/01/2001 | 10 | 02/01/2001 | |
| 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 (replaced fuse 1 time). problems started day after i purchased car-should have heeded the obvious warning! do not buy kia! | |||
| 05/30/2002 | 1 | 10/01/2001 | |
| Wires shorted by seatbelt mount under left front seat area, causing turn signal failure. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION | |||
| 03/01/2001 | 10 | 02/01/2001 | |
| 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 (replaced fuse 1 time). problems started day after i purchased car-should have heeded the obvious warning! do not buy kia! | |||
| 06/06/2002 | |||
| Vehicle has a problem with starting, has to crank it four or more times before vehicle would start. vehicle been to dealer on two occasions, and he was unable to correct the problem. feel free to provide any further infromation.*ak | |||
| 09/20/2001 | 4 | 08/01/2001 | |
| Car shut off in traffic on three separate occasions. dealer has replaced several electrical or computer parts and has been unable to fix the problem. i have tolk kia that i no longer want the car (lemon law). kia very hard to work with and get answers from. i have contacted an attorney and local news media to help settle the problem. other kia lemon cases in court at this date. contact me at arsonrat@aol.com if you have similar problems.*ak | |||
| 10/19/2001 | |||
| 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 | |||
| 06/21/2001 | 6 | ||
| 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 | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE | |||
| 10/06/2003 | 4 | ||
| Dealer replaced in the last past three months the following items: ignition coil/fuel injection system twice/wiring harness, and catalytic converter. however, problems still recurred. *ak | |||
| 07/03/2002 | |||
| Vehicle does not have any power. vehicle has been checked by dealer, who has replaced wire harness/ 2 computer chips, and transmission twice. vehicle was picked up 7/3/02, and broke down again. consumer has to have pedal floored for vehicle to move.*ak | |||
| 01/01/2002 | |||
| Vehicle has a problem with a computer chip which causes vehicle not to run. contacted dealer, and dealer was not willing to do anything.*ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING | |||
| 12/16/2001 | 1 | 07/14/2001 | |
| 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 that it did not reduce the whiplash signifacantly.*ak | |||
| 10/06/2003 | 4 | ||
| Dealer replaced in the last past three months the following items: ignition coil/fuel injection system twice/wiring harness, and catalytic converter. however, problems still recurred. *ak | |||
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - FRONT UNDERHOOD | |||
| 07/03/2002 | |||
| Vehicle does not have any power. vehicle has been checked by dealer, who has replaced wire harness/ 2 computer chips, and transmission twice. vehicle was picked up 7/3/02, and broke down again. consumer has to have pedal floored for vehicle to move.*ak | |||