Model year record

2000 Kia Sephia

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 461 owner complaints on file.

Kia Sephia, 1994–2001 generation
Pictured: the 1994–2001 generation. Spanish Coches, CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V305000

Seat belts: front: buckle assembly

Component
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly
Manufacturer
KIA MOTORS AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
251,594
Reported to NHTSA
2004-06-24
Owners notified
2004-08-16

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.

Manufacturer remedy

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

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train: automatic transmission3630,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components213,000 mi
Air bags: frontal1858,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1866,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc17—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline1619,000 mi
Electrical system1535,600 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch1350,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor1321,788 mi
Unknown or other125,000 mi
Air bags1163,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system11—
Service brakes, hydraulic1120,000 mi
Electrical system: horn10—
Engine and engine cooling: engine818,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission818,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner718,000 mi
Visibility: windshield7—
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery6549 mi
Fuel system, gasoline6—
Structure625,000 mi
Structure: body: door673,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood5—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers5—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system559,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.5—
Seat belts: front: anchorage536,000 mi
Seats568,900 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar5—
Structure: body55,000 mi
Tires521,788 mi
Engine and engine cooling478,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal4—
Seat belts434,000 mi
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly458,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads421,788 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system4—
Suspension4—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer430,738 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor362,325 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly3—
Latches/locks/linkages366,525 mi
Parking brake3—
Power train321,788 mi
Seat belts: front341,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid3—
Vehicle speed control3—
Visibility: glass, side/rear3—
Air bags: side/window2—
Electrical system: ignition: module2—
Electrical system: starter assembly2—
Equipment262,325 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system2—
Interior lighting2—
Parking brake: conventional2—
Power train: axle assembly2328,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum2—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: drum2—
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Visibility240,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls295,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module159,000 mi
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing1—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator1—
Electrical system: ignition1—
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay1—
Electrical system: wiring1—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash145,000 mi
Engine1130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan1—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices135,600 mi
Exterior lighting1—
Exterior lighting: brake lights1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit1—
Exterior lighting: headlights: high/low beam dimmer switch1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: carburetor system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump135,600 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage150,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Fuel system, other1—
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)1—
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal1—
Power train: clutch assembly1—
Seat belts: front: retractor1—
Service brakes1190,000 mi
Service brakes, air123,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock158,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light159,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum: shoes/linings144,950 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder1—
Steering1—
Steering: column140,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Steering: rack and pinion1—
Suspension: front1—
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm165,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint1—
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint1—
Suspension: front: macpherson strut1—
Suspension: front: springs: leaf spring assembly1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: sidewall1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: fan/motor140,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core1—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: windshield: electrical heating element1—

The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Other Kia Sephia model years

All Kia Sephia recalls by year

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.