The Lemon Index
20002nd generation
Worse than average · most complaints: engine
86 owner complaints, first 3 years 23–24 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2001 Oldsmobile Intrigue 1252001 Chrysler Concorde 1142001 Chrysler 300M 77
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 19 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Kia sent dealers 11 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 86 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 11K to 23K miles (18K to 38K km) on the car (19 of all 86 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
When filling up gas tank to full and driving 140 miles gas gauge will read empty. Also, engine light is constanly coming on because of a 02 sensor failure. Please provide any further information.
2001 Kia Sephia owner · NHTSA complaint 8003426
More owner reports
Transmission is not working properly,.gears have become harder to change, and when driving, transmission will slip at times. Contacted dealer. Please provide further information.
NHTSA complaint 8015794
My car has 30,000 miles on it and the transmission has been replaced 2 times. I have never been given a loaner to use while my car was in the shop. This is very inconvenient when you work.
NHTSA complaint 10067652
Problems Kia told dealers about
Kia sent dealers 11 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Automatic transaxle diagnosis
- A logic change in the transmission control module (tcm)
- Automatic transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin provides information relating
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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
- 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.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★☆☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2,500–$2,600 (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. 2001 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 2001 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/kia-sephia/?y=2001" 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/2001/">Lemon Index</a> (2001 Kia Sephia reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2001 Kia Sephia reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew about one and a half times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 166; 100 is average, lower is better).
What are the most common 2001 Kia Sephia problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (27%), transmission & drivetrain (19%) and electrical (17%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2001 Kia Sephia have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Kia Sephia get?
23 to 24 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2001 Kia Sephia have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 19% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2001 Kia Sephia cost in fuel a year?
About $2,500 to $2,600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2001 Kia Sephia have?
1.8L 4-cyl.
Is there a better Kia Sephia year than the 2001?
Not nearby: the 2001 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Kia Sephia years within 3 model years of it.
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