2000 Kia Sephia: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2000 Kia Sephia: 1 recall, 266 owner complaints and up to 23 mpg combined.
Recalls
1 vehicle recall from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #04V305000 · 2004 · 251,594 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The latch can then pull out of the buckle when tension is applied.
The fix: Dealers will replace both front seat belt buckles. The recall began August 16, 2004. Owners should contact Kia at 1-800-333-4542.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 3 mention a fire, 39 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (79): the most common themes are noise or vibration (28), brake failure / soft pedal (19).
- Transmission & drivetrain (50): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (23), stalls / loses power (8), warning light on (7).
- Electrical (45): the most common themes are electrical failure (16), door / lock issues (5), fire / smoke (4).
- Engine & cooling (43): the most common themes are warning light on (14), stalls / loses power (8), noise or vibration (5).
The 2000 Kia Sephia has 266 owner complaints, ranking #3 of 10 Sephia model years for complaints (1.6× the average Sephia year). Complaints peaked in 2001 (61 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 2 years old, at a median of 50,000 miles. Neighboring years: 1999 (428 complaints, 5 recalls), 2001 (107 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 29 | 23 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 20 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2000 Kia Sephia.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2000 Kia Sephia have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 1 vehicle recall for the 2000 Kia Sephia. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2000 Kia Sephia problems?
Owners have filed 266 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (79), transmission & drivetrain (50), electrical (45).
What gas mileage does the 2000 Kia Sephia get?
EPA ratings run up to 23 mpg combined (1.8 L, Automatic 4-spd), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2000 Kia Sephia repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.