A death trap
This car is very poorly made.
I totaled this car at five miles an hour. The engine was pushed three inches into the fire wall! This is the worst car ever. I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 27th May, 2001
The lowest of low
In the past two years, we have have had the transmission changed twice.
The starter was replaced.
And a few other recalls (wipers, gas, etc).
I got what I paid for... a lemon. I expected a basic car that could carry me reliably from point A to point B. As time passes, travelling between points becomes more difficult. Kia's customer service is no help. Instead of listening to complaints and correcting problems, their representatives simply say, "What do you want us to do?" Never again, will I purchase a Kia.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 4th April, 2001
I don't know where these people are purchasing their vehicles, but I have owned my 1998 KIA Sephia for quite sometime now, I bought it used with over 80k miles on it, It is a very good running car, I cannot say it is the greatest as I said I bought with over 80k miles and of course used cars are going to have their problems, nothing serious like transmission problems or anything like that, but the car was not well taken care of by its previous owner, So if you take care of your car it will take care of you.
As far as recalls go I have had 2 recalls on my sephia and it was no big deal, a little inconvenient as it does take time out of my day, I never received notice, I simply brought my KIA into the dealer for regular maintenance, they told me it had recalls and fixed them that day, no charge, so if someone has a problem with their car I understand how your experience would put you off on buying another, but KIA is the same as any other manufacturer, these things are mass produced, and there will be good ones and bad ones, it's not perfect.
Since I had the car, the door panel cracked and the piece on the bottom of the seat cracked.
The overdrive is put in the car backwards. It is on when I start the car and I have to turn it off.
It was recalled for the wipers which did not work and it was also recalled for something to do with the gas department. With a new car I should not have to miss work to fix it.
This car is built poorly and is a piece of junk, I would never buy another one. Very disappointed.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No
Review Date: 16th September, 2000
The over-drive system of the car allows the transmission to shift into 4th gear. 4th gear conserves fuel, but it does not accelerate as well. Turning the O/D off restricts the car to 3rd gear, which is not very efficient on your fuel. Only turn off the over-drive if you are passing cars or are trying to accelerate. The O/D system seems to be installed right, turning on when you start the car. Only turn off the O/D when you need to.
3rd Nov 2004, 10:57
Listen buddy as someone that also has a 1999 Kia Sephia, that guy is 100% right. I've also in the past 2 years had to get a new transmission. A Chip in my Kia has been replaced 3 times in the last 2 years, theres been at least 6 recalls like the guy said. And the air bags don't even work and another car crashed into me.
LEMON!!!