2000 Kia Sephia

◆ Worse than typical

2000 Kia Sephia
BUILT 2026-09-02

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

2000: 266 complaints

View as data table

Year	Complaints
1986	2
1994	16
1995	64
1996	118
1997	205
1998	491
1999	428
2000	266
2001	107
2002	6
2003	2

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

SERVICE BRAKES 35%

35% of complaints: service brakes — 94 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

NEARLY FATAL CAR ACCIDENT, AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, THE BREAKS DID NOT LOCK UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI report, 20141009

Also filed under AIR BAGS

POWER TRAIN 19%

19% of complaints: power train — 50 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 18%

18% of complaints: electrical system — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing horn and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASH FIRE INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180406

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171112

Also filed under SEAT BELTS

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 18%

18% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 48 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIRE INJURY

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 32 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASH INJURY

Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20150601

THE VEHICLE WAS IMPACTED IN THE REAR WHILE STOPPED. AS A RESULT THE VEHICLE WAS PUSHED INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED UPON IMPACT. *NLM

NHTSA ODI report, 20030416

WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS A FRONT END COLLISION AND DRIVERS NOR PASSENGER AIR BAG DEPLOYED, CAUSING INJURIES. TS CONSUMER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE CHEST AREA, ARM AND A BROKEN NOSE. *JG

NHTSA ODI report, 20030107

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2000 — complaint volume: 266

I 20000710 — PE (closed 20000731)

INCORRECT BATTERY JUMP-START

I 20020306 — PE (closed 20020806)

BATTERY CABLE CHAFING

I 20020806 — EA (closed 20031007)

NON-CRASH ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20030815 — RQ (closed 20040203)

REFUELING SPIT BACK

I 20031014 — RQ (closed 20040227)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

I 20040203 — EA (closed 20040729)

REFUELING SPIT BACK

I 20040227 — EA (closed 20040726)

SEAT BELT BUCKLE FALSE LATCH/MALFUNCTION

R 20040816 — seat belts

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,

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.

Campaign 04V305000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2000 Kia Sephia — pre-purchase inspection

Test/inspect for service brakes issues (94 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for power train issues (50 reports on file for this year).
Test/inspect for electrical system issues (49 reports on file for this year).
Verify recall 04V305000 (seat belts) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1995 ▲ 2001 ▲ 1996

WORST YEARS

■ 1998 ■ 1999 ● 1997

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2000 Kia Sephia reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Kia Sephia is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Kia Sephia?

The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sephia have?

1 recall on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.