MYRModel Year Report

2000 Kia Sephia

◆ Worse than typical
2000 Kia Sephia
BUILT 2026-10-10

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
266
Recalls
1

Campaigns on file for 2000

Investigations
7

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

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

2000: 266 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19862
199416
199564
1996118
1997205
1998491
1999428
2000266
2001107
20026
20032

Known problem areas

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

Service brakes

35% · 94 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Nearly fatal car accident, air bags did not deploy, the breaks did not lock up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-10-09

Also filed under Air bags

Power train

19% · 50 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

CRASH

Electrical system

18% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing horn and 12v/24v/48v battery.

CRASHFIREINJURY
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, 2018-04-06

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, 2017-11-12

Also filed under Seat belts

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 48 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and exhaust system.

FIREINJURY

Air bags

12% · 32 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
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, 2015-06-01

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-16

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-07

Safety timeline

1 recall · 7 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2000Complaint volume 266 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2000-07-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2000-07-31 Incorrect battery jump-start
  3. I
    2002-03-06Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-06 Battery cable chafing
  4. I
    2002-08-06Engineering analysisClosed 2003-10-07 Non-crash engine compartment fires
  5. I
    2003-08-15Recall queryClosed 2004-02-03 Refueling spit back
  6. I
    2003-10-14Recall queryClosed 2004-02-27 Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
  7. I
    2004-02-03Engineering analysisClosed 2004-07-29 Refueling spit back
  8. I
    2004-02-27Engineering analysisClosed 2004-07-26 Seat belt buckle false latch/malfunction
  9. R
    2004-08-16Seat belts04V305000 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…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began August 16, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2000 Kia Sephia — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 94 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 50 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 49 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V305000 · Seat belts
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years2 years

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 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.