Total Complaints
461 filings
KIA SEPHIA · model year
461 NHTSA complaints, 57 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2000KIASEPHIA carries 461 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 57 crashes, 3 fires, 45 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2000 SEPHIA is power train:automatic transmission with 36 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components (21) and service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (18). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 2 investigation files overlapping the 2000 SEPHIA. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
461 filings
Crashes Reported
57 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 36 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS | 21 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP | 18 |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 18 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC | 17 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE | 16 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 15 |
| LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH | 13 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:ROTOR | 13 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 12 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 11 |
| AIR BAGS | 11 |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 11 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN | 10 |
| POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION | 8 |
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FRONT SAFETY BELT BUCKLES MAY EMIT A "CLICK" SOUND DURING THE BUCKLING PROCESS THAT IS SIMILAR TO THE SOUND EMITTED WHEN A BUCKLE IS BEING LATCHED, WHEN IT IS NOT.
The contact owns a 2000 Kia Sephia. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart after being jumpstarted. The contact continued to drive; however, the failure recurred 5 times while driving and depressing the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal. After each failure, the vehicle was able to be restarted when jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys and diagnosed; however, no fault code was retrieved. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
The contact owns a 2000 Kia Sephia. The contact stated that while driving at 40 MPH and approaching a traffic light, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was unable to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart after being jumpstarted. The contact continued to drive; however, the failure recurred 5 times while driving and depressing the brake pedal or the accelerator pedal. After each failure, the vehicle was able to be restarted when jumpstarted. The vehicle was taken to a local Pep Boys and diagnosed; however, no fault code was retrieved. The dealer and the manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
Mileage: 130,000
THE SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS IS LOCKED UP & THEY (BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER) SEATBELTS "DO NOT" REEL BACK 2 PROVIDE SECUREMENT OF THE PASSENGER(S). ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EVEN WHEN THERE'S A NEW FUSE & HORN. THERE'S A DEFECT IN THE STEERING WHEEL HORN BUTTON.
Mileage: 34,678
THE SEATBELT PRETENSIONERS IS LOCKED UP & THEY (BOTH DRIVER/PASSENGER) SEATBELTS "DO NOT" REEL BACK 2 PROVIDE SECUREMENT OF THE PASSENGER(S). ALSO, THE ELECTRICAL ISSUE IS THE HORN DOES NOT WORK EVEN WHEN THERE'S A NEW FUSE & HORN. THERE'S A DEFECT IN THE STEERING WHEEL HORN BUTTON.
Mileage: 34,678
I 🅾WN A 2000 KIA SEPHIA & THE FRONT DRIVERS SEATBELT RETRACTS SLOW& DOES NOT LOCK. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT @ ALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK AS IF THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAS SEIZED UP.
Mileage: 34,000
I 🅾WN A 2000 KIA SEPHIA & THE FRONT DRIVERS SEATBELT RETRACTS SLOW& DOES NOT LOCK. THE PASSENGER SEATBELT DOES NOT RETRACT @ ALL. ADDITIONALLY, THE PASSENGER FRONT DOOR LOCK DOES NOT LOCK AS IF THE LOCK ACTUATOR HAS SEIZED UP.
Mileage: 34,000
THE STUPID PASSENGER DOOR WONT CLOSE THIS JUST SO DARN FRUSTRATING IT'S ALSO VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM NOT A VERY HAPPY PERSON RIGHT NOW. YOU SHOULD MAKE CARS MORE SAFE IF SOME ONE HAD BEEN HURT WITH THAT STUPID DOOR I WOULD HAVE SUED YOUI
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE FRONT END. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, HEAD, AND JAW BONE. THE FRONT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER, HEAD, AND NECK INJURIES. THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUFFERED A NECK INJURY. ALL THE OCCUPANTS WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.
Mileage: 86,000
THE LOCKS FREEZE UP IN COLD TEMPS, ENOUGH TO TWIST AND BEND MY KEY. EVEN TRYING TO FORCE IT OPEN FROM THE INSIDE DOES NOT WORK. I ALMOST BROKE MY THUMB TRYING TO FORCE IT OPEN UNLESS YOU PUT A HEATER IN THE CAR FOR A LONG TIME. *TR
Mileage: 80,000
NEARLY FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE BREAKS DID NOT LOCK UP. *TR
Mileage: 190,000
NEARLY FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE BREAKS DID NOT LOCK UP. *TR
Mileage: 190,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THE TURN SIGNAL LIGHTS FAILED. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WOULD NOT FUNCTION AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHTING FUNCTIONED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.
Mileage: 100,000
2000 KIA SEPHIA DOOR LATCHES DO NOT WORK WHEN WEATHER IS FREEZING AND DASHBOARD CURLED UP NOT ALLOWING DEFROST OF FRONT WINDSHIELD. *TR
Mileage: 37,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, THE ENGINE WOULD RACE FIRST AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD MOVE FORWARD. THE OVER DRIVE LIGHT STAYED ON AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WOULD BLINK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE DEALER CHANGED THE SENSORS FOR THE LIGHTS. HOWEVER, THE OVER DRIVE AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHTS WERE CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 162,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 162,384. UPDATED 11/03/10. *LJ
Mileage: 162,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES NONE OF THE DOORS LATCHES FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ITS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41000. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED, THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO HOLD DOOR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE DASH BOARD WAS FALLING APART. UPDATED 08/20/10.*JB
Mileage: 25,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPPED BELOW 25 DEGREES NONE OF THE DOORS LATCHES FUNCTION PROPERLY AND ITS DIFFICULT TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 25000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41000. UPDATED 03/01/10 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN TEMPERATURE DROPPED, THE DOOR LOCKS DID NOT LATCH. THE CONSUMER STATED SHE HAS TO HOLD DOOR WHILE DRIVING. ALSO, THE DASH BOARD WAS FALLING APART. UPDATED 08/20/10.*JB
Mileage: 25,000
IN NORMALLY OPENING THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR FROM THE INSIDE IN COLD WEATHER, THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE BROKE BECAME INOPERATIVE. THE ONLY WAY TO OPEN THE DOOR WAS BY ROLLING DOWN THE WINDOW AND OPERATING THE DOOR USING THE OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE. OBVIOUSLY THIS IS A SAFETY PROBLEM IF THE CAR NEEDS TO BE EXITED QUICKLY. *TR
Mileage: 66,525
MY WIFE OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA,WE WERE IN A HEAD ON COLLISION AT 40MPH AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I WAS ASKED TO MAIL PICTURES OF THIS ACCIDENT TO KIA AND JUST RECEIVED A PHONE CALL BACK SAYING THE IMPACT WAS TOO HIGH FOR AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT,ARE YOU KIDDING ME,THE WHOLE FRONTEND OF THE CAR IS TOTALED AND THAT'S THE BEST ANSWER YOU CAN GIVE ME,OH YEAH HE SAID HE WAS SORRY. *TR
Mileage: 113,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS STOPPED WORKING. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING HEAVY RAIN CONDITIONS AND THE WIPER MOTOR CONTINUED TO ACTIVATE; HOWEVER, THE WIPERS WENT INTO A VERTICAL POSITION AND WOULD NO LONGER OPERATE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 138,000.
Mileage: 138,000
REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE SHOES ,BECAUSE OF A NOISE WHEN THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. WHEN THE BRAKE DRUM WAS REMOVED THE ON THE RIGHT SIDE THE BRAKE LINING FELL ON THE FLOOR. IT HAD SEPARATED FROM THE BRAKE SHOE. THE BRAKE DRUM SHOWED NO SIGN OF OVER HEATING SUCH AS IF THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS LEFT ON.(,CHECKING)ALL THE SHOES APPEAR TO BE FAILING. .THE VEHICLE HAS FRONT DISC AND HAS 64000 MILES ON IT . THE BRAKE SHOES APPEAR TO BE FACTORY. THE DEFECTIVE PARTS ARE AVAILABLE. *TR
Mileage: 63,890
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.