RE: MY KIA SUCKS
by: A_RESKI
7/7/99 4:28 pm
Msg: 3 of 112
I AM IN THE SAME BOAT. LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT MY CAR. ITS A 1998 KIA SEPHIA. I BOUGHT IT LAST APRIL AND LIKE YOU JUST GAVE UP A GOOD, PAID FOR CAR.
1} ON AUG.18 98 I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR THE STARTER WITCH THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN. FOR MY BELTS THEY WERE SQUELING & FOR THE BRAKES THEY ALSO FELT SQUISHY. ONCE AGAIN THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE MY CONCERN
2}ON 1/19/99 I BROUGHT MY CAR IN FOR ONCE AGAIN THE STARTER WITCH THEY REPLACED. THE BRAKES WITCH THEY REPLACED AND ONCE AGAIN THE BELTS & AN EVAPORATION LEAK.
3} 3/29/99 STARTER. NEEDED REWIRING. BRAKES NEEDED REPLACINGBUT DID NOT HAVE PARTS IN STOCK.
4} 4/13/99 BRAKES FINALLY GOT REPLACED AT THIS TIME I SENT A FINAL REPAIR NOTICE TO KIA WITCH THEY DID NOT RESPOND TO UNTIL A MONTH LATER AND I LET THEM FIX THE CAR ANYWAY.
5) (FINAL REPAIR) 6/4/99 THEY PUT A NEW ACTUATOR SHIFT LOCK IN MY CAR BECUASE I COULD NOT GET IT OUT OF PARK AND THEY ADJUSTED THE MASTER CYCLINDER PUSHROD FOR THE BRAKES.
NEEDLESS TO SAY WHEN I PICKED UP THE CAR, ABOUT 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE, THE CAR SLOWED DOWN FROM 60 TO 25 THE BRAKES WERE SMOKING AND THEY SMELLED BAD SO I PULLED OVER AND CALLED THE DEALERSHIP FROM MY CELL PHONE AND THEY SAID BRING IT IN ON MONDAY AND THAT THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THAT WAY.SO I GET BACK IN THE CAR AND GO TO START IT AND I COULDN'T GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. (THE 2 THINGS THEY JUST FIXED) SO FINALLY I GET THE CAR GOING AND A MILE DOWN THE ROAD I ALMOST HIT A MAN BECUASE I STEPPED ON THE BRAKES AND NOTHING HAPPENED.
6/14/99 ONCE AGAIN ADJUST THE MASTER CYCLENDER PUSH ROD. AND REPLACE THE BRAKES.
THEY ARE STILL SQUELING TO THIS DAY AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING WITH MY KID IN THE CAR. AND THE A.G. WON'T TAKE ON MY CASE SO I AM GOING TO PRIVATLY SUE THEM FOR TRIPLE DAMAGES. THIS LIST DOES NOT INCLUDE ALL THE TIMES I BROKE DOWN EITHER.

a former sucker
by: pete894
7/9/99 5:56 pm
Msg: 4 of 112
sorry to hear about your experiences with the piece of crap (what we called our KIA sephia around our huose). i had all of the above problems i finally decided to sell the day my wife and daughter were driving on the highway and the car just died as they were doing about 45/50 mph, and were nearly creamed by a dump truck. i took a 3000 dollar loss (my down payment) but i feel like the worlds been lifted off my shoulders now that ive sold the piece of crap!! ive also heard from a friend in the banking industry that certain banks arre refusing to finance kia for fear of so many people defaulting on there loans because of all these problems. my advice to everyone if rides like a lemon and acts like a lemon then gues what? its a lemon

Kia Class Action Lawsuit?
by: tahirah786
7/10/99 12:19 am
Msg: 5 of 112
I have been having a problem with my Kia since I bought it new in August of 1998. It would be great if others who have had brake problems or other similar manufacturing problems could join in a class action lawsuit against the company. My driver side seatbelt does not snap in and therefore is useless. Does this make sense? The car isn't even a year old. I have a history of brake problems with my car as well.

1997 Kia Sportage - Piece
of Junk by: toni206 (34/F)
7/19/99 6:35 pm
Msg: 6 of 112
I have a '97 Sportage I bought new January 1998. It now has 17K and it is in the shop - it has been in the shop a total of 8 times for a grand total of 18 days! The lemon law in my state requires that the problem with the car repeat itself four times for minor (all those problem must be the exact same problem) or two major one (must be the same problem). Here's the catch I've had three of this problem, two of another, one major, six seperate minor ones. I am not going to give up - I still have 12 months in this state to force the dealer to buy it back. Don't give up and trade it and take that HUGE loss! Fight Back!

Kia Sportage Bites The Dust
- Again
by: sue_kaufman
8/3/99 7:11 pm
Msg: 9 of 112
I too have purchased a Kia Sportage (1998). It is a nice looking vechicle, but has been in the shop 7 to 8 times and is barely 1 year old. (I purchased it in April of '98). From the day we drove it home the 4-wheel drive never did work. I was driving the vehicle home one day and the headlight fell out and went rolling across the road (I was on a straight stip of road and had not hit anything). The horn quit working, the back tailgate would not open, the paint on the inside of of the back door is ready to flake off in big chunks and I have had two hub cabs fall off while driving. The engine light went on and I had to take it to the dealership (which is over 1 hour away) a total of 3 times till it was fixed and now my car is in the shop at a Kia dealership because the brakes were giving out, and when they were removed- pieces, parts, dirt and rust fell out. They also threatened to not warrant the warranty on the latest repairs. I have been without a car for over two weeks, (no loaner plan) and was told they were still waiting on parts. What can I do? I am paying hard earned American dollars for a piece of Korean metal that never works- I formally had a Toyota and loved it. I figured the Kia would be of the same quality. Was I wrong!

My Kia is a Piece O' Crap,
too....
by: snexxus
8/10/99 12:57 pm
Msg: 12 of 112
I have serious doubts about this car. I bought a '98 Kia Sephia sedan for my mother to drive. In Ten months and less than 5,000 miles we've had: - Brakes replaced (and they're bad again, rotors are warping) - Gas Guage sender replaced twice (still doesn't work) - Re-painted (it's paint on plastic, not colored molded plastic panels) - Starter relay replaced. The car would just decide it didn't want to run, and die. Then randomly, it would work again. And it burnt out half the fuses in the fuse box, too.
I'm trying to contact the owner of the dealership today about giving it back to then. My mom refuses to drive the car because she's afraid of it.
AND, I have an '88 corolla with 190,000 miles on it, runs great! I have never had a problem with that car, beyond normal wear conditions - brakes, belts and hoses replaced at 140,000 miles. It gets 35 MPG, does not use oil, always starts and runs great. Toyota and Honda are the best out there.
Kia....well, they need to do some work....

my Sportage too.
by: odonihue
8/19/99 1:40 am
Msg: 17 of 112
Well, it looks like I'm not the only one. In late 1997 I purchased a 1997 Kia Sportage at a local dealer in Portland, Oregon. I began having major problems with acceleration, power cutting out, check engine light, similar to other postings I've seen tonight. Then all hell broke loose and I wasn't able to drive the car at all, it spent 3 months in service. I ended up getting the same run-around as you, then I called the Better Business Bureau (800-955-5100). About a month later the BBB really leaned on Kia, and after going rounds with Kia, Kia offered me a complete replacment. I was up graded to an '98 with all options, given leather interior, the works. HOWEVER, now almost exactly one year later I'm back to square one. The new '98 Sportage is in the shop and its problems keep getting worse. I called the Western Division of Kia Comsumer Affairs in Fullerton, California to ask for the Manager (Michelle Carmen) who helped me out last time. Guess what? The numbers had been disconnected. I called Kia's 800 number and was told that they went Bankrupt, and I should call again in the morning to contact offices. (it was after hours). I am really interested in how your case turned out. I myself am thinking about legal action. If you'd like to swap info. send me an email: boycyber@ix.netcom.com

Any Info on Legal Action,
please Post!
by: snexxus
8/19/99 9:50 am
Msg: 18 of 112
If there's any civil actions against Kia, in the sense of a class-action lawsuit, I'd sure like to join in as a plaintiff. These cars really suck! And Kia's Customer Service is non-existent, it's an Excuse Service.
Let's make these people feel the hurt for the crap they have spawned upon us.

by: cashmerecactus
9/19/99 5:43 pm
Msg: 25 of 112
I have been looking at my check engine light for months now and the dealership does not know what to do with it. They have already replaced most of the electrical sensors along with the computer brain. They currently have a call in to Kia manufacturing in Irvine California. My brakes and rotors wore out prematurely and my cigarette lighter launched it's self into the car and onto my foot causing a burn. My child locks were permenantly locked and nobody could get out of the back of the car. my gas mileage has never been anywhere close to the sticker and I drive a 5-speed. On one of my more recent trips to dealer I came across an address, perhaps writing to them would help all of us. Good Luck with your Kia (you'll need it).
Kia Motors America,Inc.
9801 Muirlands Boulevard
Irvine, CA 92619-2401

Note: These messages go on and on. As you can see, I stopped after reading only 25 out of 112. What a nightmare!

Best Features:
This car is affordable.
Worst Features:
You have to have your car repaired as many times as you stop for gas. This car is a disaster waiting to happen!
Who would like this Vehicle:
Anyone who enjoys having their car constantly needing repairs or anyone who would like to be stranded on the side of the road.
Overall Review:
This car is terrible. If you don't have a warrenty, you would be better off getting a more expensive car that is reliable because you will spend as much having this one repaired.

Best Features:
There are NO best features.
Worst Features:
The whole car. It has 24,000 miles on it and almost everything under the hood has been replaced twice if not more. Drums and rotors replaced twice within 2 months. And they already replaced the dash. JUNK!!
Who would like this Vehicle:
A homeless person. At least he would stay dry when it rains.
Overall Review:
This is the worst vehicle I have ever owned. It has been in the shop almost 20 times since Feb.98'. And the Regional Manager does know me by name and my phone number. I have his phone number on speed dial. I would not let your worst enemy drive this car. Thank you for reading my sad story, and have fun finding a good car.

1999 Kia Sephia

Best Features:
room
Worst Features:
GAS MILEAGE!!starting problems, rattles after 12,000 miles, cant count on it running or starting. GAS MILEAGE
Who would like this Vehicle:
a mechanic who is making money working on it or a repair shop
Overall Review:
WORST VEHICLE IVE EVER HAD OR DRIVEN.

Best Features:
Nice looking car....Thats it!
Worst Features:
everything that has to do with this car running!
Who would like this Vehicle:
Someone who does not need a dependable vehicle.
Overall Review:
I purchased this car 4 weeks ago,it had 12,500 miles. Its been back to the shop twice, the first(2 days after I purchased it) due to the water pump freezing up, the battery,and the cooling fan was inoperable. and then today I brought it back to the dealership because the O/D light was blinking and the engine light was on. They tell me I need a new transmission. Do not buy these cars.... I want my money back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Best Features:
Cant think of any...anymore. Bought it because of its look and rebate!
Worst Features:
Everything, Cant possibly fit it all on this page!
Who would like this Vehicle:
Absolutely no one, unless they have a death wish!
Overall Review:
Cant say enough, DO NOT BUY THIS CAR! Owned for 6 months, taken in for service 8 times. Brakes and rotors replaced at 3000, going again at 10,000. Airbags dont deploy (from experience)gas spits out while refueling, defrost barely works. Should be illegal for Korea to sell us such junk!

Best Features:
That it is paid for and I can try to sell it to buy a car that is worth driving again.
Worst Features:
Brakes, Front End, A/C. Power Steering, Engine Power, there isn't any. Clutch. Everything mechanical on the car is poor quality it would seem.
Who would like this Vehicle:
Someone, who like me, had a friend convince them to buy one because they were dumb enough to own one also. I need better friends.
Overall Review:
I have had my car in and out of the shop since I bought it, so far it has had 3 new sets of brakes, rotors, pads. Two front end alignments. It is a bad investment to purchase this vehicle. I am trying to get rid of my KIA as soon as possible. I hate the car. I regret the day I drove it off the lot......

Best Features:
Roomy for a small sedan. That's it!
Worst Features:
Everything! The brakes stink, 2 weeks after I bought it the rear window molding fell off. There are rattles everwhere. Safety stinks, and most everthing else.
Who would like this Vehicle:
No one!!!
Overall Review:
This is a poor excuse for a vehicle of the '90's. I don't care how much money I loose this car has got to go now!! I don't know where my head was when I got this one. Don't even go look at one.

Best Features:
Room for four, that's about all so far.
Worst Features:
Where do I begin? Slow, uncomfortable, loud, VERY jiggly, my kids literally can't sit still for 30 seconds.
Who would like this Vehicle:
NOBODY, I repeat, NOBODY could LIKE this car. Maybe the price, but not the car.
Overall Review:
I CAN'T believe I bought this thing! I'd be better off buying a used Fiat Uno.

Strengths:
-Decent Acceleration
-Handles resonably well
-Ride quality acceptable
Weaknesses:
-Frequent repairs
Similar Products Used:
1989 Mercury Tracer: vastly superior to Sephia
Review Summary:
Paid about $9000. I have owned this vehicle for almost three years.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. Even someone I hated...
It has been in the shop more times than I care to enumerate. A "sample" of the problems:
-Check Engine Light comes on (many, many times)
-Door side moldings fall off (many, many times)
-Dash Warped
-Main engine harness burnt up. To Kia's credit they did pay for the repair despite the fact that it is 9,000 miles out of warranty.
Sportages are being recalled for a "similar" problem. Mine just died suddenly and smoke started pouring out from under the dash. This could have been serious if I'd been up on the Interstate.
-Brake rotors warped
-Emissions hose defect recall
-Emissions valve failure
-Seatbelt on passenger side (front) won't stay latched
-Need I continue?

Submitted by Cathy Harvey from Barneveld,NY,USA
Date Reviewed: 3/10/00 5:41:14 PM
Used product for 1 to 3 years
Model info: '98 Sephia

Strengths:
Interior room, head room, price
Weaknesses:
Complained for 2 winters it wouldn't start below +10 degrees F. before dealership "found" TSB. Since has had 2 TSB's & 2 recalls done. Needed front brakes replaced at about 30,000 miles (never had to have brake work done on any other previous cars before 75,000...lots of highway driving). Have bumper to bumper 100,000 mi. warrenty but dealership says it doesn't cover brakes, now htey're making noise again (65,000 mi.). Dealership now reports pipe between muffler & catalitic converter needs replacing to the tune of $260 (bumper to bumper?).
Similar Products Used:
poorly... '94 Eagle Talon didn't need brake work till 117K mi...'91 Colt Vista 4wd over 90K. etc.
Review Summary:
Initial price may be resonable, repair cost & down time are not...the dealerships seem to know they have gotten into a bad situation & are backpeddling to get away with whatever they can. It took complaints to the new car Kia phone surveys and constant inquireries for block heaters for the Sephia that finally pushed the dealer to admit there was a TSB addressing the problem & " out of the goodness of their hearts" they made the repairs even though they weren't covered under the warrentee(?) at no charge.

Submitted by Marc Phelps from Virginia Beach, VA, USA
Date Reviewed: 12/12/99 7:18:39 AM
Used product for 1 to 3 years
Model info: 98 sephia

Strengths:
Looks, Cheap Price
Weaknesses:
Where to start! Brake rotors warp every 1-2000 miles causing pads to brake. Automatic Transmission constantly searching for a gear. Door seals tend to fall off. No horsepower, don't try any risky passes. Gas milage is not near as good as advertised, average about 300 miles a tank in town. Many little flaws such as A/C cutting out, headlights fill up with water, etc
Similar Products Used:
1991 Ford Escort GT, 2000 Honda Civic EX
Review Summary:
I was lucky, KIA bought my Sephia back. In the 9 short months I owned it, it was in the shop at least twice a month, 18 times total. It is a good looking car, very similar to a Toyota Corrola, but no where close in performance.My main problem was with the brakes. I found out that the company that supplied KIA with thier rotors went bankrupt, and believe me I know why. They are made too thin, which causes them to warp fast. The dealership and factory were good about trying to fix it, but you can only try so many times. If you want a good looking cheap car, the Sephia is for you, but good luck getting fixed after your short 3/36 warranty runs out!

Submitted by nikki from nj
Date Reviewed: 11/15/99 3:27:52 PM
Used product for 6 months to 1 year
Model info: kia sephia 1998

Strengths:
audio system-after fixed probs
reasonable power for what you are getting
Weaknesses:
may problems that the kia dealer did not even know how to identify
Review Summary:
one side of the cars electrical system went down
the engine was missing a bolt
the radio still is not fixed...its the third one
rotors needed to be fixed right away
ect..
and the dealer would not believe the problems were wrong


Note: The reviews listed on this page and on the previous page are just some of the bad reviews that I found when I was making this website. There are many more like these out there, but I think you get the idea.