Model year record

2000 Kia Sephia

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

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.

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.