2001 Kia Sephia Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 7%of 107 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 37,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the fuel system of the 2001 Kia Sephia, 7% of the 107 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 37,500 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I am just a little disgusted by the fact that I bought a brand new vehicle so that I wouldn't have to worry about repairs for awhile. I bought a 2001 Kia Sephia in august of 2001 and it is now july 2004 and my fuel pump has failed twice now. I have had vehicles in the past that have had well over 100,000 miles before ever having to replace a fuel pump. I feel that they should last more that a year or year and a half. I also had the shifter replaced due to a defect. This is a part I have never had to repace on a vehicle even with 300,000 miles!! The fuel pump is my biggest compaint however. …”
NHTSA complaint #10081302, filed 2004-07, 15,000 miles“Car gives off a very bad gas odor. Everytime I put gas in the car, the gas indicator on the dashboard goes down and car cuts off on me when im doing 20 MPH.”
NHTSA complaint #10415436, filed 2011-07“The contact owns a 2001 Kia Sephia. The contact stated that the vehicle exhibited an unusually overpowering gasoline odor from the blower vents when first starting the vehicle. The failure would occur intermittently and became progressively worse over time. The contact inspected the vehicle and discovered a leak in the fuel dampener at the connection with the fuel line. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unavailable. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10377912, filed 2011-01, 60,000 miles“Dealer replaced in the last past three months the following items: ignition coil/fuel injection system twice/wiring harness, and catalytic converter. However, problems still recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10042366, filed 2003-10“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.”
NHTSA complaint #8003426, filed 2002-02Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2001 Kia Sephia
21 complaintsAir bags
18 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
18 complaintsElectrical system
15 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSeat belts
9 complaintsBody and structure
9 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 29, 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