1998 Kia Sephia transmission problems

Filed Jul 18, 2007 · Brakes, Electrical · 80 miles · DE

I brought a new kia sephia in 1998, and had nothing but trouble with it! Transmission was replaced 2 times by the mechanic for kia motors, and needed to be replaced again on 7/2007. Also , the brakes have been replaced 4 times and need to be replaced again. Now the headlights keep turning off while driving at night, but no mechanic can locate the electrical short problem.

Filed Aug 27, 2004 · Transmission · NY

While shifting transmission down shifted on its own, and the shift lock system failed. Consumer was unable to unlock the shift lever in order to move the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Transmission · 44,508 miles · CA

I bought a 1998 kia sephia from toyota carlsbad 2 years ago in may, 2001 that I paid cash for. Right after I bought the kia sephia the check engine light came on. I took it back to toyota carlsbad and they told me that I didn't put the gas cap back on correctly. August, 2002 the check engine light came back on. I took it to my mechanic at future automotive in rancho bernardo and he told me it was the transmission. Future automotive sent the car to mike's transmission in poway. Mike worked and worked on the transmission. It was in his shop four times. The last time the kia sephia was in the shop, it was there for three weeks. Toyota carlsbad told me they couldn't help me because the warranty had expired, but they would gladly sell me another car. When I told them I couldn't afford that, toyota carlsbad told me to take it to an independent repair shop because they could not help me with my problem. Both times the bbb tried to help me, kia stated the first time that the warranty had expired. The second time, kia stated that they wouldn't do anything because your vehicle exceeds the age requirements set out in the manufacturer's program summary. Light comes on. I was informed that I should have taken it back to toyota carlsbad or another dealership. When I stated that I was told by toyota carlsbad to take it to an independent repair shop, I was told to contact the dvm fraud unit. When the transmission wouldn?t shift out of first gear, I had it towed to north county gmc jeep kia in escondido. My kia was at north county gmc jeep kia for six weeks when the transmission failed again. My car has had three transmissions put in the car. The kia tech specialist worked on my car several times during that time. In order to get the transmission work correctly, I replaced the power distribution center, a new fuel filter and a whole instrument cluster. I only needed a small part replaced in the instrument cluster, but I had to buy the whole instrument cluster.

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Transmission · 100,000 miles · MD

While driving transmission light appeared on the dashboard. Then, the vehicle lost speed.

Filed Nov 4, 2003 · Electrical, Lights · 42,000 miles · MD

I bought a 1998 kia sephia in feb of 2000 I have had to replace 3 gear shifters and three transmissions and the car has only been driven 2/3 of the time that I have owned this car. My signal light on one side has never really worked properly and the the headlight constantly shorts out. Of course now I'm out of warranty and still experiencing these problems and many more I dont know where else to turn because all I'm ever told is that's a kia for you. I still have a loan of this car and dont think it's right that almost every year the gear shifter and trans need to be replaced. I would great appreciate any help you can give me because I havent been able to drive the car for the last 2 months because the gear shifter wont come out of park and when it did the trans raced when reaching 2 gear. There is no way anyone should experience this much trouble whether being a used car or not. Please help me.

Filed Oct 8, 2003 · Transmission · NJ

I have had my car for about 7 months, and I have found out that it had 5 recalls and the problems I have had consists of check engine light coming on and o/d light flashing. Also, car acts as if it does not want to go into gear. When it is put into reverse it also seems as if hesitate to crank up as well.

Filed Aug 13, 2003 · Transmission · 12,800 miles · NJ

Vehicle wouldn't start intermittently. About a month ago it started to happen more frequently. Shifter assembly was replaced. Vehicle would also roll while in park. Dealer told consumer that transmission would have to be replaced to solve the problem.

Filed Jan 7, 2003 · Transmission · IN

The transmission was very bad and defective. Vehicle would stop without any warning. Vehicle was taken to dealer 3 times and each time the transmission was replaced for the same problem. Ts

Filed Dec 4, 2002 · Transmission · IN

The vehicle stop while driving, engine remain running but vehicle would not move repair was made at the dealer, but the probblem is reocurring. Ts

Filed Jan 4, 2002 · Body, Brakes · OH

While driving approximately 65 MPH, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred.*ak brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.