2001 Kia Sephia transmission problems

Filed Apr 12, 2011 · Transmission · IN

I am complaining because my gear shift won't shift. In the owner's manual, it says if this happens to remove the small cap on the gear shift box and put a screw driver in the hole to manually shift, which I have had to do for the past few months. If they knew it was going to happen and placed a back-up plan in the manual, why didn't they fix it to began with? It would cost a few hundred dollars to replace the gear shift cable. Why should I have to be the one to do this? I think it is kia's responsibility to replace my gear shift cable. Like I said, it is in the owner's manual to use a screw driver if the gear shift fails. Updated 04/21/11

Filed Apr 16, 2005 · Transmission · 93,000 miles · GA

I was driving down the road and the transmission started slipping. Then another day the car died going down the road. I managed to get off the road, and then I got it started back up ,and was going home and the car stopped running again. When I got it running again I took it home, and I am afraid to drive it again. I bought it at a used car dealer and it only had 37,000 miles on it when it bought it. It is not quite 93,000 miles on it now and I am still having to pay for something that I am afraid to drive. I have replaced the brake pads 3 times.the dya it quit running twice with me is dec. 21 merry christmas to me.I didn't have the money to take it to a mechanic. So I just parked it in my backyard.

Filed Feb 9, 2005 · Transmission · CA

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Driver was able to restart the vehicle, and took it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the mechanic replaced the control module. The problem recurred once again.

Filed Aug 17, 2004 · Body, Electrical · 3,000 miles · LA

Before 40,000 miles, had fuel pump changed 2 times, starter changed 2 times, new transmission, ignition control module once, doors replaced due to defect, new paint job due to trash under original paint job, all hub caps and trim were replaced due to fading at 10,000 miles (which faded again a few thousand miles later), AC blower resistor motor replaced, all mirrors were replaced, electrical short in dome light, & ignition switch replaced. I bought my car in oct 2001, and was put in shop for the first time in jan. 2002 and has been there 55 days since. I have kept up with all required maintenance. Sorry, but this car is junk. And I hate to have had a bad experience buying my first new vehicle.

Filed Aug 12, 2004 · Transmission · 17,000 miles · VT

Vehicle had automatic transmission and the gear shift will not stay in park. When parking the vehicle and turning it off vehicle rolled into reverse. Consumer had to use the emergency brake to keep the car from rolling back. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 3 separate occasions. Dealer maintained that the defect was not their problem.

Filed Apr 22, 2004 · Transmission · VA

My car has 30,000 miles on it and the transmission has been replaced 2 times. I have never been given a loaner to use while my car was in the shop. This is very inconvenient when you work.

Filed Mar 23, 2004 · Transmission · 12,690 miles · KY

Transmission failed while driving. Consumer stated transmission was replaced five times. *ak consumer just had a sixth replacement of transmission.

Filed Jul 9, 2003 · Transmission · FL

While driving manual transmission broke. Dealer replaced clutch and transmission one time. Once again transmission broke, and vehicle was out warranty.

Filed Jun 19, 2003 · Body, Engine · 14,000 miles · OH · crash

Engine and lots of others.

Filed Jun 2, 2003 · Transmission · 23,744 miles · AK

-I am the second owner of this 2001 kia sephia ls 4 door. Here is my complaint.the instruction simply stated "to shift from park press brake pedal". The button ,located in the top left side of the handle,that has to be pressed while applying brake pedal will not go all the way in. Since the date of purchased, everyday when putting gear from park to drive I had to wait 30 minutes or more before the knob can be pushed all the way in. I thought this was normal for an automatic transmission until today (1 june 03). The button was completely paralized. My car had to be towed to the nearest kia service department. They are closed on sundays. Tomorrow (monday) I will report the problem to kia. I think all 2001 kia sephia with automatic transmission must be recalled for the malfunctioning that my car had.