NHTSA lists 266 complaints for the 2000 Kia Sephia, 42 of them mention a crash and 3 mention a fire. 29 complaints mention an injury, with 39 injuries and 0 deaths reported.
Data build 2026-10-07.
NHTSA lists this vehicle as KIA SEPHIA.
Model-generated complaint tags: This model year has not been tagged.
Investigations
7 investigations; 0 open.
EA04007
Opened: 2004-02-27. Closed: 2004-07-26.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
THE MANUFACTURER HAS INITIATED A SAFETY RELATED CAMPAIGN TO RECALL THE SUBJECT VEHICLES FOR CORRECTION OF THE SEAT BELT BUCKLE DEFECT.THE CORRECTIVE ACTION IS TO REPLACE THE SEAT BELTS/BUCKLES.THIS SAFETY RECALL PROGRAM HAS BEEN ASSIGNED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NO. 04V305.
Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA04004
Opened: 2004-02-03. Closed: 2004-07-29.
REFUELING SPIT BACK
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
RQ03007
Opened: 2003-10-14. Closed: 2004-02-27.
SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION
INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY K
Systems: SEAT BELTS.
Linked campaign numbers: 04V305000.
RQ03006
Opened: 2003-08-15. Closed: 2004-02-03.
REFUELING SPIT BACK
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF
Systems: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
EA02016
Opened: 2002-08-06. Closed: 2003-10-07.
NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
ODI GATHERED FIRE DATA FROM VARIOUS SOURCES AND INSPECTED SUBJECT VEHICLES TO ASSESS THE SCOPE AND FREQUENCY OF NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES CAUSED BY STARTER CABLE CHAFING.ODI'S ANALYSIS FOUND THAT MOST OF THE SUSPECT FIRES OCCURRED AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD RECEIVED SERVICE REPAIRS IN THE AREA OF THE SUBJECT CABLE.CONSUMER COMPLAINT DATA INDICATE THAT THE PROBLEM EXPERIENCE HAS DECLINED SINCE
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE02028
Opened: 2002-03-06. Closed: 2002-08-06.
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING
Summary unavailable
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Linked campaign numbers: None listed.
PE00026
Opened: 2000-07-10. Closed: 2000-07-31.
INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START
ALLEGE BATTETY MAY EXPLODE IF OWNER'S ATTEMPT TO JUMP-STATE THE VEHICLE BY FOLLOWING THE OWNER'S MANUAL DIAGRAM
Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Linked campaign numbers: 00V205000.
Manufacturer communications
15 manufacturer communications.
Communications by system| System | Count |
|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 4 |
|---|
| POWER TRAIN | 4 |
|---|
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 3 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY | 2 |
|---|
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES | 2 |
|---|
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
|---|
| EQUIPMENT | 1 |
|---|
| PARKING BRAKE | 1 |
|---|
10201529
Date: 2021-09-13. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, STRUCTURE.
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models tha
10133170
Date: 2018-03-02. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING.
PITSTOP - ENGINE COMPONENT RE-USE GUIDELINES - In general, parts and components removed during engine repairs should be considered serviceable, and should be thoroughly cleaned and transferred to the new engine.
10109812
Date: 2017-01-18. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT, EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY.
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners, which are designed to lock into place once fully attached, are utilized in various Kia models and are strictly intended for ?one time use.? Some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washe
10109777
Date: 2016-11-04. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES.
TSB: MANDATORY REPLACEMENT OF LOCKING/SECURITY HARDWARE - By design, certain fasteners utilized in various Kia models are strictly intended for ?one time use?. Though not limited to the following, some examples are: axle shaft nuts with stake collar, cotter pins, washers with locking tabs and other
10091489
Date: 2013-12-06. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: POWER TRAIN.
TSB: AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE CORRECT AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUIDS THAT ARE REQUIRED FOR EACH KIA MODEL. REFER TO THE SHOP MANUAL ON KGIS FOR THE SPECIFIC KIA MODEL, THEN REFERENCE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE SYSTEM/ REPAIR PROC
10026726
Date: 2008-08-28. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: EXTERIOR LIGHTING, PARKING BRAKE.
KIA: ALL MODELS. ARTICLE PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATING TO THE IMPROVED DURABILITY OF BULB LIFE FOR REAR COMBINATION BULB; REAR STOP LAMP/TAIL LAMP BULB UTILIZED ON MULTIPLE KIA MODELS. *PE
10016840
Date: 2004-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
CHARGING SYSTEM UPGRADE. *TT
10005640
Date: 2004-01-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING INSPECTION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. REVISED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN. *TT
10005355
Date: 2003-12-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
BATTERY CABLE CHAFING INSPECTION, REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT. TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, LETTERS TO SERVICE MANAGERS AND DEALERS AND OWNERS. *TT
635757
Date: 2002-09-01. Type: Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions. Systems: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
THIS BULLETIN PROVIDES INFORMATION RELATED TO A SERVICE CAMPAIGN TO INSPECT POSSIBLE INTERFERENCE BETWEEN THE POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE AND THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK. *TT