The Lemon Index
20012nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: brakes
Better years to buy
196 owner complaints, first 3 years 22–23 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2000 Oldsmobile Intrigue 1272000 Chrysler Concorde 1262000 Chrysler 300M 163
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (32,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 196 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recall 04V305000 (seat belts) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Kia sent dealers 15 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “Automatic transaxle diagnosis”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Kia's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 196 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 20K to 50K miles (32K to 80K km) on the car (23 of all 196 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Weather stripping is peeling off on the side of vehicle. Also, when consumer applies brakes, vehicle vibrates.
2000 Kia Sephia owner · NHTSA complaint 861450
More owner reports
Front brakes and rotors had to be replaced on april 2001. Brakes had to be replaced again in october.
NHTSA complaint 897773
The dash liht and tail light fuses short out resulting in no lights and causing poor visibility. Nlm
NHTSA complaint 786459
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 15 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle diagnosis
- A logic change in the transmission control module (tcm)
- Battery cable chafing inspection, repair and replacement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 1
- Seat belts · recall issued 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedRefueling spit back2004
- ClosedSeat belt buckle false latch/malfunction2004
- ClosedRefueling spit back2003–2004
- ClosedSeat belt buckle false latch/malfunction2003–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,600–$2,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl.
Every Kia Sephia year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2000 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-sephia/?y=2000" title="Kia Sephia reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="261" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/kia-sephia/2000/">Lemon Index</a> (2000 Kia Sephia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2000 Kia Sephia reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 3 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 261; 100 is average, lower is better). The Kia Sephia year with the fewest complaints per car sold is 2001.
What are the most common 2000 Kia Sephia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are brakes (39%), electrical (21%) and transmission & drivetrain (21%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sephia have?
1 safety recall (latest: seat belts). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Kia Sephia get?
22 to 23 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Kia Sephia problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 20,000 and 50,000 miles (32,000–80,000 km) (the middle half of the 23 complaints, of all 196 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2000 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2000 Kia Sephia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 21% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Kia Sephia cost in fuel a year?
About $2,600 to $2,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Kia Sephia have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
What Kia Sephia year is better than the 2000?
Nearby, the 2001 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about one and a half times the average car's complaints).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works