2000 Kia Sephia: won't start

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Brakes, Tires · 21,788 miles · OH

Gear shift is my big problem right now with my car. It has been in 3 times in the past 2 years. 1st two times was due to the in-ability to get the car out of park. 1st repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was lubricate the gear shift cable. (accused driver of getting pop in the gear shifter) 2nd repair could not get the car out of park. Repair was to replace the gear shift cable. 3rd repair car stalled on the road and would not start. Repair "free-up shifter shat in transmission (would not go all the wasy in park and was hard to find any gears and would cause a no start)". This is the quote on the back of the repari ticket. When the car was pick-up. The car again refused to start. Was told that the gear shifter on the floor had to be shoved to the consolse to make the car recognize that it is in the "park" location. What I want is fair market value for my car from kia. Right now getting run around. They need more information from the kia repair and service manager before anything else can be done. Right now I am afraid to drive this car because if it stalls on a busy road, it takes about 30 seconds to force the gear shift into the right location to get the engine to turn over. Second complaint is now I am being told that the car needs new tires and brakes (rotors). Again kia blaming the driver, break down is due to bad braking habbits.

Filed Oct 23, 2003 · Brakes, Tires · 21,788 miles · OH

Car died on the road for no reason. Then car would not start. Driver verified that gear-shift was locked in "park" position. Just glad this did not happen on a busy highway. This is the 3rd time the car has been in the repair shop due to getting the car into or out of park. Repairs over the past 18 months have been re-lubricated the gear-shift cable (1st repair). Replace the gear-shift cable (2nd repair). The last (3rd) repair was a re-lubrication of the replaced gear-shift cable and re-adjustment of the linkage so car could recognize that it was in park. These required repairs are being blamed on not driving the car enough. Also having trouble with premature warring on the break rotors and pads. Car has just over 22,000 miles on it. Reason is driver (that is not driving enough) is too hard on the breaks. (my other car has 78,000 miles on it. It is now ready for the 1st break job.) I am also being told that the tires need to be replaced. Again the car has only 22,000 miles on it. I have read reports on the internet that mis-adjustments form the factory can lead to early ware.

Filed Aug 10, 2003 · Electrical · TX

Started having problems with the cigarette lighter (used for cell phone charger) shorting out - pulled fuse so it's wouldn't start a fire. Then at the end of june air conditioner started going on and off when I would hit a bump. Finally went completely out and now being told wiring harness has to be completely replaced. Kia will not pay for because my warranty is out! Scared to drive it because they said wires are melting!!

Filed Jun 11, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · LA

When vehicle was being driven it cuts off without warning. Also, will not start back up. Consumer has to get it towed every time. Then, it is towed back to dealer, yet, dealer cannot find out the problem. Consumer states he is afraid that he or his daughter is going to get hurt.*ak consumer adds there is sudden acceleration then slowing down of the vehicle without brakes being applied. Experiencing fuel relations problems possibly related to the fuel box. It is also possible that the alternator and battery failed.

Filed Oct 10, 2001 · Brakes, Steering · AL

I have had to have a power steering, rack and pinion, 4 sets of brakes going on 5. I have had to have my tires rotated more times than necessary. The brakes makes a grinding, rattling noise when I try to stop. When I press on the brakes it doesn't stop quickly. The gaskets around the door ifs falling off. The radio will shut off for no reason. The heater works when it's hot outside. The windshield was leaking. It has since been repaired. Sometimes the car wont crank after sitting for a while it will crank. The engine light comes on. The glove box fell apart. I have computer problems and wiring problems. The gears are hard to put in reverse and then when it finally pops into gear it makes a loud popping sound. It slow to put in drive and then it will take off real fast almost making you run into something.

Filed Aug 30, 2001 · Engine · PA

1. Driving car and a piece of exhaust fell off 2. Numerous times car would not start. Taken to dealer twice and they said they could find no problem. 3. While driving vehicle with check engine light on it accelerated at a high rate of speed. This happened again when backing out of driveway.