Brake complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Master cylinder, went out the second time. I had my car in the dealers shop on December 31, 2002. My master cylinder went out at 13157 miles, and the master cylinder went out again at 14252 miles (3/1/03). The car will be 2 years old in April. I am very scared to get back in the car this time, I am looking into purchasing a new car. This car is unsafe and unpredictable.
When attempting to make an emergency stop in traffic that came to a sudden holt, anti-lock brakes did not respond. Pedal was applied, and vehicle just began sliding, hitting another vehicle in rear. Air bags did not deploy, and seat belts did not restrain. Kia has been contacted.
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. …
This car has been a constant repair and financial problem for the last 4 years starting two weeks after I purchased the car. It is an unsafe vehicle and can not be kept maintained for safety or reliability it was purchased with 21000 miles on the vehicle and a majority of repairs has had to be fixed. 4 starters, ignition switch, ignition switch wiring harness (ignition still doesn't work), air bag sensor, air bag wiring (air bags still does not work), alternator, front passenger side drive axel broke while I was driving the car, right passenger ball joint fell off the car while I was driving the car, master cylinder and rear brake cylinder went out at the same time while I was driving the car, heater/air conditioning motor. The car has been towed 3 times, and has left me and my children stranded too many times to count. The car is still in need of major repair. …
While applying the brake pedal at 35 MPH the pedal went down to the floor and would not return. This caused the vehicle to rear end another vehicle in front of them. Upon impact, neither frontal air bag deployed. Passenger sustained neck and back injuries, and refused medical assistance.
The brakes on this car are terrible! I have been in and out of the shop since this car was bought. I have had numerous pad and rotor replacements. I even got into a rear-end accident 1 1/2 years ago that I could have avoided with competent brakes. I now have to replace the drums and rear shoes because they have been working overtime to compensate for the poor front brakes. Thanks a bunch Kia! Worst car I've ever driven.
I purchased a Kia in March 02' I used the car for long trips the first year I had owned the car and I had no faults in jan.- feb 03' the car began to shift in to numerous gears and then stall. I was then deployed to iraq. I left the car with a good friend. When I came back he informed me that the car wouldn't start. Dealer said it was the fuel pump. Friend replaced the fuel pump.friend then replaced fuel pump again when car wouldn't start. Friend left the car alone,when it didn't start, until I had returned from iraq. I came back and took the car to midas, due to the fact that the dealer didn't have an idea of what was going on. Midas then said it was the fuel pump. I had it replaced for a third time. Car ran for a day then died. I took the car back to midas they said it was the wiring harness. I had that replaced. Car still didn't start. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Sephia years have brake problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 1998 (256), 1999 (173), 2000 (85), 1997 (75) and 1996 (39) model years. Brake complaints make up 52% of all complaints for the 1998.
Is there a recall for Kia Sephia brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for any Kia Sephia model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Sephia brake problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles; 55% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the foundation components › disc (184 mentions), followed by the foundation components (161).
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.