Used 2001 Kia Sephia Consumer Reviews
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Easy to fix, not much protection in accident.
Amber, 01/31/2020
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought a 2001 Kia sephia in 2013 with about 150,000 miles on it. Fit in my budget perfectly, had a few problems here and there but small easy things, battery, headlights, usual maitenence. It was okayish in the snow, Pennsylvania weather. Slid like crazy on wet roads, shook like crazy going down the highway, thought I'd lose pieces just going down the road. The car was great for having 1 child, then had my second, still decent room. Then the 3rd came, not really much room for everyone. The A.C has also never worked and that car got super hot, too hot to drive my kids in it, so some days we couldn't do anything. Boyfriend hit a deer, then months later tapped the back of another car, it was pretty easy to do body work on it. Super rusty in spots, the floors underneath the car, near the bottom of the doors, ect. The dash was warped up from the sun when I bought it, every other sephia I've ever seen also has too, so that looks funky. And in 2018 after 5 long years with the car, on my way home from work, I got t-boned by someone running a red light. I was going from about 10-15 mph, if that, just pushing the gas to get through the intersection safely, so I never looked at my speed. The other car was going 45. It's totalled. I'd say it would be a great first car but I'd never want to risk anyone's life. After TBI and a fractured spine, I highly research safety before buying a car now.
22 Years, and won't quit
John, 04/17/2023
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
For a car that has never spent one night in a garage, and has endured the weather of north eastern Montana. Where the winters are one of the coldest, and the summers get pretty hot. I can't believe how reliable this car has been.In the first 17years, the only thing i have done is the routine maintenance. The last 5 years i have replaced both sides of the front axle half shafts, starter motor and power steering hose. Nothing else was done with the engine, transmission or exhaust in the 22 yrs i have owned this car. For a car with 188,000 miles,I am extremely happy with my Kia Sephia. I don't believe i have spent over $500.00 for parts and labor for this car, not including routine maintenance,which i do about 80% of. This car has been great. The only major complaint i have with this vehicle is a design flaw with the AC. When its on while driving, it feels like your pulling a small camper, it really bogs down the engine. Between the good gas mileage, good acceleration,great reliability, i am hoping to get an extra 50.000 miles out of my Kia Sephia.
Sloppy
fourthrowe, 06/24/2006
2001 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 3 people found this review helpful
Ok, I know it's not a Honda, but when I had to borrow my friend's Integra, and got back in my Kia, all I could think was "sloppy." The shifter, the brakes, you name it, sloppy. It has never failed me, even with 163k miles. I still love the sag-proof roofliner. Some people have problems with the dash buckling, I haven't seen it yet. Oh, and I was wrong in my other review about the Mazda engine/Getrag designed tranny, that was '98 and previous Sephias. I certainly would not recommend this car to a friend just because it's slow AND gets bad mileage. I average 23mpg city/hwy. Highway only is 33mpg. Also, this car will scare you if you go over 80mph. It acts like it's in a hurricane.
Glad they are out of Production
Kaylalee, 07/27/2009
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Honestly, I thought we were getting a good deal. Really cheap...SO NOT WORTH IT! Since we got the car we have put about $6000 in repairs. Not only have we replaced the ENTIRE brake line once, we have also replaced the roters twice, the battery twice the spark plugs about 12 times, the alternator, a cylinder, the fan belt (4 times in less than 4 years). The driver side door no longer works (leaving the driver to climb over the seat and try their luck at the passenger door which only opens from the outside. When it's cold the doors don't close so you have to wait for the car to heat up enough to close them or hold them while going down the road. The car is quite literally a death trap.
No so good
Mikesue98, 12/01/2002
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Not to be trusted, in 2 years had 3 brake master cylinders changed, 3 mufflers (they would brake), molding would come off, auto transmission stick would freeze in the winter, doors would freeze frequently in the winter, electrical problems, would get a burnt smell on long trips, wheel bearings had to be replaced
Deceiving
Blaze, 02/10/2003
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
Thought I was getting a great deal. After the first year everything went downhill. My car has had a new transmission, a new alternator, and now they're not sure if it needs a new starter or what. Great warrantey except it takes a week for them to figure out what is wrong with it. Also, if the least little thing hits the car (rock,etc.) it leaves major dents. My mother ownen a differnt Kia and traded it in after 3 months due to problems it had. Please, some one take this peice of junk!
Like a Go-Kart
FastWRX, 06/25/2005
2001 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
When the car is working it drives like a go-kart. It has little get up and go but when it goes in to 2nd gear it starts to slow down. I think the only good thing about the car is the gas mileage when the car is working. One major problem I've had with the car is the alternator belt and bracket. I've had to replace the belt 5 times now, and the OEM bracket is such a poor design. It's a good 1st car if you have the money to keep fixing it all the time. Other than the repairs it's been a great little car.
My first car
NoMoKias4Me, 03/13/2003
2001 Kia Sephia 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I bought it brand new with 1 mile on it. 3 days after buying it, it was back at the dealer for 4 days. When I got it back, they had replaced the computer, the fuel injector and something else (can't remember). 2 Days later, back at the dealer. This time for about 1 week. When I got it back, they had supposedly put a brand new tranny in it. Well, just a few days later guess where it was? Yep! At the dealer for almost 2weeks. This time, when I got it back, I learned that last time they had put a reconditioned tranny in it and that this time they put a brand new one in it.
Repairs are frequent
Ryan, 12/04/2007
2001 Kia Sephia LS 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
The car is okay but i've only had it since aug 08 and it already has many problems. It needs a new gear shift cable, possibly a new transmission, a new battery, new front strut mounts, the emerg brake is stuck on and the whole dash blinks when the signal light is on. Like everybody else says the body is just like a pop can. Also all the rubber lining on the doors is falling off. I find this repair list ridiculous because the thing only has 106,000 kms on it. The previous owner hit a pole with it and now the trunk leaks like crazy. This is my first car and I'm 17. I only have a part-time job. I guess the car will be siting in the driveway a little longer.