Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Kia Sephia owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had a car accident where I rear ended another vehicle because I could not stop. After further investigation on my own, I found there is a class action lawsuit against Kia Sephia & sportages for their 1998-2000 models for brake failure. The brakes either completely fail at once or a person is continually replacing brakes/pads, etc. I encourage anyone to file a complaint if they have any similar problems.
Gear shift is my big problem right now with my car. It has been in 3 times in the past 2 years. 1st two times was due to the in-ability to get the car out of park. 1st repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was lubricate the gear shift cable. (accused driver of getting pop in the gear shifter) 2nd repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was to replace the gear shift cable. 3rd repair car stalled on the road and would not start. Repair "free-up shifter shat in transmission (would not go all the wasy in park and was hard to find any gears and would cause a no start)". This is the quote on the back of the repari ticket. When the car was pick-up. The car again refused to start. Was told that the gear shifter on the floor had to be shoved to the consolse to make the car recognize that it is in the "park" location. …
Purchased vehicle approximately 10 days before accident and noticed immediately that the brakes were "mushy" and stopping distance seemed unusual. Individual selling vehicle (not dealer) stated that this was normal for the vehicle. It was hard for me to be certain sinced my previous vehicle is known for very touchy brakes and I thought it might just be an adjustment period. However, I am a careful and patient driver and in 20 years of driving have had only 4 speeding tickets and zero accidents until I drove this car. After approximately 9-10 days the check engine light came on. I was traveling at approx. 15 MPH in heavy traffic with about one car length between myself and the pickup in front of me. The pickup driver slammed her brakes and I slammed mine only to have them go all the way to the floor and provide no resistance. …
Car died on the road for no reason. Then car would not start. Driver verified that gear-shift was locked in "park" position. Just glad this did not happen on a busy highway. This is the 3rd time the car has been in the repair shop due to getting the car into or out of park. Repairs over the past 18 months have been re-lubricated the gear-shift cable (1st repair). Replace the gear-shift cable (2nd repair). The last (3rd) repair was a re-lubrication of the replaced gear-shift cable and re-adjustment of the linkage so car could recognize that it was in park. These required repairs are being blamed on not driving the car enough. Also having trouble with premature warring on the break rotors and pads. Car has just over 22,000 miles on it. Reason is driver (that is not driving enough) is too hard on the breaks. (my other car has 78,000 miles on it. …
When my boy friend went to change the front brake pads on my 2000 Sephia he was told that Kia didn't make pads for my car.we had to purchase new rotors because the old ones were so warped you could hardly drive the car.Kia said there was a defect in the rotors and that replacement ones were avaiable(at my expense).this ocurred in spring of 2003 then in sept 2003 my cv axles went out.my boy friend is an automotive technicianb and he is continuning his education at austin peay state university. He took my car to his professor who is a.s.e. Certified and he was told that the axles most likely went out due to the vibration of the rotors. …
I bought my 2000 Kia Sephia around September of 1999. I had a new set of brakes and rotors at 2000 miles, again at 11000 miles, 20000, needless to say I have had about 6 sets of brakes and four sets of rotors. Not to mention calipers a couple of times. I tried to declare the lemon law on this piece of work but, the dealers would not listen. I did make a formal complaint prior. After all I have been thru I am so sick I have all but, given up... My brakes now, overheat and smell, the pedal goes all the way to the floor, if I had to actually stop without warning I wouldn't be able to . I have resorted to down shifting in sudden instances.the noise is unbearable not to mention embarrassing. I have taken it to several mechanics, and no one can seem to fix it. I don't know what else to do.
I have <45000 miles on my car (2000 Kia Sephia) and have had to have the front brakes replaced 3x and the back brakes replaced 1x. Also, when I turn on the ac, there is a loud noise from the front of the car. The car hesitates when trying to get up to speed. The car also feels like it is trying to pull something of great weight when driving at 55 MPH. The back seatbelts do not always lock. The dealer informed me that the seat belts are only to lock when the brakes are slammed or the vehicle is hit (so how is a child booster seat supposed to stay put when the vehicle is in motion?)
Replaced the rear brake shoes ,because of a noise when the brakes were applied. When the brake drum was removed the on the right side the brake lining fell on the floor. It had separated from the brake shoe. The brake drum showed no sign of over heating such as if the emergency brake was left on.(,checking)all the shoes appear to be failing. .the vehicle has front disc and has 64000 miles on it . The brake shoes appear to be factory. The defective parts are available.
Our Kia Sephia 2000 is a lemon. We have had to replace the brakes four times because of premature ware and shaking due to poor design. We received the car with a dead battery. We are on our third battery. We were on our third set of tires before 30,000 miles. The gear shift will stick so that you can not take it out of park. The weather molding is falling off. Check engine light goes on and they could not keep it from coming on.
Vehicle experienced brake failure while driving in traffic. Consumer just shifted into second gear when traffic started to stop. Brakes were applied but to no avail. Consume kept pumping the brakes but nothing. Two repairs shops stated brake failure. Consumer checked the internet and learned of a class action law suit for brake failure on 1998-2000 Sephia's/sportage's for brake failure.
Brake complaints in other Sephia years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2000 Kia Sephia?
NHTSA has 85 complaints about the brakes of the 2000 Kia Sephia, 32% of the model year's 266 complaints. The component named most often is foundation components (21 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Kia Sephia brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2000 Kia Sephia, though it has 1 recall for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Kia Sephia brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 58,000 miles, and 45% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 13 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.