2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Brakes
Brakes leads by volume: 89 of 289 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (34) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | vs. 2000 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–2,850 | 2,600–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 23–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20 / 26–29 | 19–22 / 28 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–404 | 370–386 | |
| Complaints filed | 289 | 147 | |
| Recalls issued | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 48 | 34 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 46 | 32 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra?
Brakes: 89 of 289 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Kia Sephia/Spectra?
EPA estimates $2,700–$2,850 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 29 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $2,700 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 20 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 51 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 52 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 15 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Electrical | 46 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 89 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 0 |
| Steering | 10 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 15 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 55 | 34 | 0 | 34 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 37 | 4 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 24 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Other | 25 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY · Campaign 04V305000 · Jun 30, 2004
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THE LATCH CAN THEN PULL OUT OF THE BUCKLE WHEN TENSION IS APPLIED.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT BUCKLES. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 16, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT KIA AT 1-800-333-4542.