1998 Kia Sephia: complete transmission failure

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 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 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 Jul 23, 2001 · Transmission · GA

Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership, and was informed that a new transmission was needed, however three days lated consumer began experiencing problems again.

Filed Jun 21, 2001 · Body, Transmission · NY

Since purchasing vehicle consumer has had nothing but problems, vehicle has been in and out of repair shop 10-12 times,consumer took vehicle back to repair shop and was told that a new transmission was needed.

Filed Jun 2, 2001 · Brakes, Electrical · NY · crash

In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... Copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.

Filed Feb 7, 2001 · Brakes, Transmission · OH

I bought the car with 7000 miles on it, it has needed 4 brake jobs (every 7k -front then rear then front then rear) in the 28k that I've owned it. The rear brakes do not engage so the front brakes wear out. I had it put on a rack and someone step on the brake pedal, the rear tires could be turned easily. With strong pressure on the pedal, the rear tires were hard to move, but still could be moved by hand. The 2x the rear brakes were serviced, the cylinders had cracked and leaked. A friend has suggested this means the hydraulic pressure is going into the cylinders but they were a 'bad casting' and the pressure isn't pushing the pistons out, but eventually causes them to crack. 09/18/00 a flexplate in the transmission needed to be replaced. Less than 6 weeks later, the car went out of gear as I pulled into an intersection. It could not be driven. It was towed to the dealership and they replaced the transmission, drive shaft, and front axle on the car.

Filed Feb 2, 2000 · Fuel system, Transmission · AZ

Transmission failed. Yh

Filed Jan 7, 2000 · Brakes, Electrical · TN

This car has had new transmission/brakes/radio and battery, and I am waiting on something new to happen soon. I bought this car because I thought that my feet was not aas dependable as a car..my mistake. If the repairs keep up I will have a new car without even trading!!! This car gives new meaning to lemon.

Filed Aug 25, 1999 · Brakes, Suspension · FL

Transmission would make funny noises when shifting into gear. A new transmission was installed. Vehicle still having problems. Brakes: would squeal when applied. Had entire brake system changed twice & problem still exists. Alignment: due to the brakes, the tires were worn out on the inside & had to be changed. *ak

Filed Jul 18, 1999 · Brakes, Fuel system · OH

Break pads and rotors need to be replaced approximately every 3000 miles when car is taken in for oil change. I could not fill the gas tank completely when I first purchased the car because the automatic shut off. Gas tank and float valve were replaced after waiting a month for the parts. Check engine light would stay on and o/d off light would flash, called dealer and had to wait a week for appointment. Dealer stated new coupling was needed. Waited month for part. When I went to pick up car, dealer stated it need a new transmission instead. I waited two weeks for parts. Now car is at dealership again because it will not start. Lights, horn, radio, etc. Still operate