1999 Kia Sephia: stuck in gear or won't shift

5 of the 422 complaints about the 1999 Kia Sephia describe stuck in gear or won't shift.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 1%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 4 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Stuck in gear or won't shift by model year

2001
1
2000
4
1999
5
1996
2

What owners say

Filed Aug 13, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · CT

The car wouldn't start shortly after I bought it. It took several trips to the dealer in order for them to replace the starter. After the starter was replaced the problem continued and the flywheel was finally replaced. Approximately one week prior to receiving a recall notice on the wiper blades the wipers stopped working during heavy rain on a highway which almost caused me to get into an accident. I have had electrical problems such as the ceiling light going on and off whenever I turned corners. The car battery was even replaced after the new starter and flywheel were put in because the car still had problems starting. Recently the transmission had to be replaced. A week after the transmission was replaced the overdrive light and the engine light started blinking on and off. The car finally stalled and had to be towed. The car was given back to me and I was told that a gasket in the transmission was leaking. A week after that the over drive light and the engine light started flashing again and the car starting driving as if it was stuck in first gear. The car finally stalled again and wouldn't move.

Filed May 22, 2001 · Fuel system, Transmission · AZ

Since earnhardt kia re-ground transmission wiring harness and worked on fuel pump (another recall), car has still stuck in gear, dragged, made grinding sound and shakes from 45 to esp. 55-75 MPH, partic when running hot (over 15 minutes). It also still randomly stalls on cold start or when rainy/wet. Kia consumer affairs called and requested I not take the vehicle back to earnhardt or to thomas motors authorized kia dealerships and to please take it to another dealership and they would call back to confirm a loaner vehicle....which they did not. Sure enough, this morning, on the way to work, it was doing it's usual dragging, grinding, and shaking while I drove except, this time, it stuck in 1-2 gear all the way up to 45mph, then jumped, and then when it went up to 65mph (freeway) right afterwards, I smelled a strange smokey chemical smell and the engine light came on immediately. I was two exits from work so was able to make it to work and called kia and another dealership (childress kia) right away. The vehicle only has 28,800 miles and kess than 2 years old. To make matters worse, I twice had to call kia back when one of their representatives and then the tow truck driver they had arranged to take the vehicle indicated that kia had placed a note in my file that my warranty was "pre-expired." it took calling back, being put on hold numerous times before they finally indicated that they had made an administrative mistake and, of course, still warrantied. This manufacturer has been nothing less than unresponsive and incompetent mechanically and administratively in resolving this vehicles major powertrain defects (past and current) and request investigation remain open until vehicle recalled and returned.

Filed Feb 15, 2000 · Fuel system, Transmission · MO

Defective fuel pump, causing intermittent stalling. Also, gear shift would not shift out of gear. Dealer notified. *ak

Filed Dec 29, 1999 · Transmission · OH

I bought this car just over a year ago. It has been to the shop 9 going on 10 times, not to mention that there have been two recalls within the last month. This is not what I expected out of a brand new car, in fact, this is what I was trying to avoid by buying new versus used. I still have alot of problems with the transmission, it just doesn't shift right. Sometimes I accellerate, but the car goes nowhere. Someday, I will probably get hit. The car starts hard, this was supposedly fixed by some "fix it" that kia came up with, but it still does it. My check engine light keeps coming on, and I think I've come to the conclusion that when it comes on, I am backing up. We have filed a lawsuit on this car against kia, but they have not done anything toward settlement. Court date is 6/99.

Filed Dec 20, 1999 · Brakes, Electrical · MD

Whenever brakes are applied they would make noises.the pedal went to floor. Brake pads & rotors needed replacing due to metal to metal noise. Vehicle had died. Mechanic indicated battery was problem & needed to be replaced. Also, transmission gears would not shift properly & needed servicing.