NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
107 reportsMileage unknown · Jul 12, 2016
Electrical SystemVisibility
HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHES. MY CELL IS [XXX] I JUST WAN…
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HAVING TROUBLE WITH DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW. IT WILL WORK THEN THE MOTOR/REGULATOR GETS STUCK AND WON'T FUNCTION. THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WILL WORK THEN NOT WORK. I JUST WANT TO FIND OUT WHAT'S CAUSING PROBLEM. ALL WIRES TO SWITCH TESTED POSITIVE POWER IS GOING TO AND FROM MOTOR/REGULATOR TO ALL SWITCHES. MY CELL IS [XXX] I JUST WANT A NAME AND PHONE NUMBER OF SOMEONE WHO CAN FIX THIS IN 07646 AREA CODE. I,E AN EXPERT ON POWER WINDOW PROBLEMS THANK YOU. MY NAME IS [XXX] THIS IS SORT OF A COMPLAINT BECAUSE IT'S BECOME A DIFFICULT DIAGNOSIS I NEED A KIA SPECIALISTS HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10884375
136,000 miles · May 5, 2012
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT METAL DEATHTRAP AG…
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I WAS ON MY WAY TO COLLEGE WHEN I HIT A PATCH OF WET ROAD, WHEN I TRIED TO CORRECT THE SLIDE, THE RIGHT SIDE GRABBED AND PUT ME INTO A SPIN OVER BOTH LANES AND I HIT THE LEFT SIDE GUARD RAIL HEAD ON AT APPROX. 45MPH. AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY FOR EITHER SIDE. CAR IS ALMOST WORTH FIXING BUT I WILL NEVER DRIVE THAT METAL DEATHTRAP AGAIN. THIS IS MY FIRST AND ABSOLUTELY THE LAST KIA I WILL EVER BUY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10457546
Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2011
Fuel System, Other
CAR GIVES OFF A VERY BAD GAS ODOR. EVERYTIME I PUT GAS IN THE CAR, THE GAS INDICATOR ON THE DASHBOARD GOES DOWN AND CAR CUTS OFF ON ME WHEN IM DOING 20 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10415436
Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2011
Power Train
I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK-UP PLAN IN THE MANUAL, WHY DI…
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I AM COMPLAINING BECAUSE MY GEAR SHIFT WON'T SHIFT. IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT SAYS IF THIS HAPPENS TO REMOVE THE SMALL CAP ON THE GEAR SHIFT BOX AND PUT A SCREW DRIVER IN THE HOLE TO MANUALLY SHIFT, WHICH I HAVE HAD TO DO FOR THE PAST FEW MONTHS. IF THEY KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND PLACED A BACK-UP PLAN IN THE MANUAL, WHY DIDN'T THEY FIX IT TO BEGAN WITH? IT WOULD COST A FEW HUNDRED DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE GEAR SHIFT CABLE. WHY SHOULD I HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO DO THIS? I THINK IT IS KIA'S RESPONSIBILITY TO REPLACE MY GEAR SHIFT CABLE. LIKE I SAID, IT IS IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL TO USE A SCREW DRIVER IF THE GEAR SHIFT FAILS. UPDATED 04/21/11 *BF
NHTSA ODI #10396329
60,000 miles · Jan 19, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE FUEL …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 KIA SEPHIA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED AN UNUSUALLY OVERPOWERING GASOLINE ODOR FROM THE BLOWER VENTS WHEN FIRST STARTING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE CONTACT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED A LEAK IN THE FUEL DAMPENER AT THE CONNECTION WITH THE FUEL LINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
NHTSA ODI #10377912
90,650 miles · Jan 3, 2011
Latches/locks/linkages
I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A COFF…
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I JUST TAKE OVER A 2001 KIA SEPHIA FROM MY BROTHER IN-LAW AND HE WARNED ME NOT TO LOCK THE CAR IF I LOCK THE CAR DOORS I MIGHT NOT GET IN OR OUT SOME TIMES, TO DAY WHEN I STARTED THE CAR BUT I COULD NOT CLOSE THE DOOR, THEN I TRIED TO PRESS THE LOCK SWITCH AND SLAMMED THE DOOR, THE DOOR WAS CLOSED, AND I DROVE THE CAR TO A COFFEE SHOP I PARKED MY CAR THERE BUT I COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR, LUCKY ME I CAN OPENED FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE DOOR AND I GOT OUT FROM THERE. AFTER I LEFT THE COFFEE SHOP I HAD TO GET IN FROM THE SAME DOOR WHEN I GOT OUT, WHEN I GOT HOME I CAN OPEN THE DOOR AND THE DOOR LOCKS SEEMED TO BE WORKING PROPERLY, BUT AFTER I LEFT IT FOR ABOUT 2 HOURS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN THE WEATHER OUTSIDE WAS ABOUT -6 DEGREE, I WENT ONLINE CHECKED THERE WERE MANY COMPLAINT WITH THE SAME PROBLEM AND SAME TYPE OF CAR THAT I HAD , I THINK THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT SHOULD BE PRESSURED TO KIA LET THEM RECALL ALL OF THE MODEL WHICH HAD THE SAME PROBLEM TO CORRECT IT! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10373825
119,583 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury
I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA ON AUGUST 1, 2006 WHEN A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE PULLED INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. MY SEPHIA COLLIDED WITH THE BONNEVILLE AT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SON (FRONT SEAT PASSENGER) WAS THROWN INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHER…
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I WAS DRIVING MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH IN DECATUR COUNTY, GEORGIA ON AUGUST 1, 2006 WHEN A PONTIAC BONNEVILLE PULLED INTO MY LANE OF TRAVEL. MY SEPHIA COLLIDED WITH THE BONNEVILLE AT A 20 DEGREE ANGLE. NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND MY SON (FRONT SEAT PASSENGER) WAS THROWN INTO THE FRONT WINDSHIELD WHERE HIS HEAD WAS LODGED IN THE GLASS. HE SUSTAINED A SEVERE AND PERMANENT CLOSED HEAD INJURY AND NOW REQUIRES 24/7 CARE. IN ADDITION TO SUFFERING A CLOSED HEAD INJURY, MY SON'S KNEE IMPACTED THE INSTRUMENT PANEL TO THE LEFT OF THE GLOVE BOX WHICH CAUSED SEVERE HIP AND LEG INJURIES. KIA DENIED RESPONSIBILITY AND LITIGATION IS ONGOING. EXPERTS IN THE LITIGATION ESTIMATE THE EBS OF THE CRASH TO BE BETWEEN 12 & 18 MPH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10352232
135,000 miles · Apr 30, 2010
Air BagsCrash
DRIVE AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY IN 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10328228
Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2009
Air BagsCrashInjury
ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND SWELLING IN HER BRAIN…
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ON MARCH 28, 2009, MY DAUGHTER WAS A PASSENGER IN A 2001 KIA SEPHIA THAT LOST CONTROL IN THE RAIN DOING ABOUT 50 MPH, WENT DOWN AN EMBANKMENT & RAVINE ON ITS SIDE, STARTED TO OVERTURN, WHEN IT SLAMMED INTO A TREE. THE ROOF ON THIS CAR THEN COLLAPSED ONTO MY DAUGHTERS HEAD CAUSING SUCH SEVERE HEAD TRAUMA AND SWELLING IN HER BRAIN, ALONG WITH MANY MANY OTHER INJURIES THAT SHE DID NOT SURVIVE THE CRASH. WHY DID THIS HAPPEN? THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! ! ! HOW MANY DIFFERENT AREAS OF THE CAR NEED TO BE HIT BEFORE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOY! SHE WAS WEARING HER SEATBELT. IF THE AIRBAGS HAD DEPLOYED LIKE THEY SHOULD HAVE, SHE WOULD PROBABLY BE WITH ME TODAY. SHE WAS ONLY 21 YEARS OLD AND HAD EVERYTHING TO LIVE FOR. THIS *#>*^$ CAR KILLED MY ONLY DAUGHTER! ! ! HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE TO HAPPEN BEFORE KIA GETS THE MESSAGE AND DOES SOMETHING TO PREVENT IT. THESE CARS DO NOT NEED TO BE IN THE U.S.A. KIA HAS BEEN GETTING REPORTS SINCE 2001 THAT THE AIRBAGS ON THIS CAR FAIL TO DEPLOY. THEY ARE GUILTY OF CRIMINAL NEGLIGENCE! ! HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267192
46,000 miles · Feb 21, 2009
Visibility
IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WENT DOWN. IF I PUSHED DOWN, IT …
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IN APR 2005, WHILE DRIVING IN MY 2001 KIA SEPHIA LS, MY CHILDREN COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS TOO COLD IN THE BACK SEAT, SO I ATTEMPTED TO CLOSE THE DRIVER'S WINDOW. AS I DID, I HEARD A LOUD BANG THAT SOUNDED LIKE A GUN-SHOT. THE WINDOW BEGAN TO WORK OPPOSITE OF WHAT I CHOSE (I.E. IF I PUSHED UP, IT WENT DOWN. IF I PUSHED DOWN, IT WENT UP.) SHORTLY THEREAFTER, IT STOPPED WORKING COMPLETELY. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $580.00 TO REPLACE BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AFTER-MARKET PARTS. I WAS TOLD BY A MASTER MECHANIC INSTRUCTOR THAT WHEN THE MANUFACTURERS CHANGED THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS FROM METAL TO PLASTIC PARTS, THAT THEY DON'T LAST ANYMORE. BECAUSE I COULDN'T AFFORD TO PAY THE $580.00 TO REPLACE THE WINDOW REGULATOR, I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO HAVE A THICK PIECE OF PAPER WEDGED IN BETWEEN THE DOOR AND THE WINDOW TO HOLD THE WINDOW UP. IN MAR 08, THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING THEN IN AUG 08, THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR WINDOW IS THE ONLY WINDOW THAT OPENS AND CLOSES. DRIVING AROUND TOWN, I SEE MANY VEHICLES WITH TAPE OR PIECES OF PAPER STUCK IN THEIR WINDOWS, SO I KNOW MINE ISN'T THE ONLY VEHICLE DOING THIS. BOTH OF MY SONS VEHICLES HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. MY NEIGHBORS HAVE POWER WINDOWS THAT DON'T OPEN. I DRIVE A POLICE VEHICLE WITH AUTOMATIC WINDOWS. WHEN OUR VEHICLES' WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK, (WHICH IS OFTEN), THE CITY SHOP REPAIRS THEM RIGHT AWAY. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THERE IS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH THE POWER WINDOW REGULATORS. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED AND SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10259515
NHTSA investigations
3EA04004 · Refueling Spit Back
Opened Feb 3, 2004 · Closed Jul 29, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Additional source detail variants (7)
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly
BASED ON THE LOW RATE OF FUEL SPIT-BACK INCEDENTS (14.3 INCIDENTS PER 100,000 VEHICLES SOLD), A LOW WARRANTY CLAIMS RATE OF 0.02 PERCENT, AND THE LACK OF ENGINEERING INFORMATION THAT WOULD SUPPORT THE PRESENCE OF AN ENGINEERING DEFECT, A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, SEE THE ATTACHED CLOSING REPORT.
RQ03007 · Seat Belt Buckle False Latch/malfunction
Opened Oct 14, 2003 · Closed Feb 27, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:buckle Assembly
INFORMATION RECEIVED AND ANALYZED DURING THIS RQ DISCLOSED THAT MY 1999 AND 2000 KIA SEPHIA AND SPORTAGE VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH MODIFIED VERSIONS OF THE SAME SAFETY BELT LATCH ASSEMBLY AS THOSE RECALLED IN CAMPAIGN NO. 02V-216.THESE LATCH ASSEMBLIES WERE IDENTIFIED AS TYPE A97. ODI ANALYSES INDICATE A CONTINUING TREND OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS FOLLOWING A SERIES OF DESIGN MODIFICATIONS MADE BY KIA TO IMPROVE THE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLY.MY 2001 AND 2002 SUBJECT VEHICLES WERE EQUIPPED WITH DIFFERENT DESIGN LATCH ASSEMBLIES (TYPE DB-6 OR AUTOLIV) AND EXHIBIT A MUCH LOWER COMPLAINT COUNT.THIS RQ HAS BEEN UPGRADED TO AN EA IN ORDER TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH TYPE A97 LATCH ASSEMBLIES.
RQ03006 · Refueling Spit Back
Opened Aug 15, 2003 · Closed Feb 3, 2004
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Gasoline; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly; Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Additional source detail variants (6)
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly:filling/charging
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
Fuel System, Other:storage:tank Assembly
IN JUNE 2000, KIA NOTIFIED ODI OF A DEFECT CONDITION IN APPROXIMATELY 100,000 MY 1998-99 SEPHIA PASSENGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM OCTOBER 17, 1997 TO MAY 16, 1999, THAT COULD RESULT IN FUEL SPIT BACK WHILE REFUELING (EA99-034, RECALL 00V-175).ACCORDING TO KIA, MANUFACTURING CHANGES MADE TO THE ONBOARD REFUELING VAPOR RECOVERY (ORVR) VALVE COULD CAUSE FUEL SHUT OFF BEFORE THE TANK REACHED 95% OF NOMINAL CAPACITY DURING REFUELING.KIA STATED THAT IF THE CONSUMER THEN ATTEMPTED TO ADD MORE FUEL TO THE TANK, FUEL SPILLBACK OR SPITBACK FROM THE FUEL FILLER NECK COULD OCCUR.KIA REPLACED THE ORVR VALVES IN THE RECALLED VEHICLES.ODI HAS RECEIVED 16 COMPLAINTS OF FUEL SPIT BACK ON VEHICLES THAT HAVE RECEIVED THE RECALL AND 5 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL.KIA HAS IDENTIFIED 2 FUEL SPIT BACK COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES THAT WERE RECALLED AND 8 COMPLAINTS ON VEHICLES NOT COVERED BY THE ORIGINAL RECALL.KIA HAS ALSO PROVIDED WARRANTY INFORMATION SHOWING 191 CLAIMS POTENTIALLY RELATED TO FUEL SPITBACK ON NON-RECALLED VEHICLES. ODI HAS UPGRADED ITS INVESTIGATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS TO FURTHER ASSESS THE SCOPE, FREQUENCY, AND TREND OF THE FUEL SPITBACK RISK ASSOCIATED WITH THE ALLEGED DEFECT IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.
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