2001 Kia Sephia Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 17%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,625miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the air bags of the 2001 Kia Sephia, 17% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,625 miles. 17 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #10457546, filed 2012-05, 136,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10352232, filed 2010-08, 119,583 miles“While going 65 on the freeway I lost control of the vehicle and the vehicle slammed into the center divider. The vehicle hit the divider from the front ending up on its side. Vehicle is totaled and air bags failed to deploy. Obviously this isn't the first time the air bags on this vehicle have failed to deploy sometimes causing severe injuries. A complaint will be filed with the dealership and the manufacturer.”
NHTSA complaint #10020971, filed 2003-06, 65 miles“Consumer's vehicle was involved in a front end collision. Upon impact, dual airbags didn't deploy. Two passengers sustained head injuries. Vehicle was a total loss.”
NHTSA complaint #10046339, filed 2003-12, 30,000 miles“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10267192, filed 2009-04Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 1 | 17% |
| 2001 | 18 | 17% |
| 2000 | 32 | 12% |
| 1999 | 37 | 9% |
| 1998 | 31 | 6% |
| 1997 | 30 | 15% |
| 1996 | 11 | 9% |
| 1995 | 5 | 8% |
| 1994 | 1 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2001 Kia Sephia
21 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 complaintsFuel system
7 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsExterior lighting
4 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2001 Kia Sephia
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology