While shifting gears, the vehicle hesitated. The consumer applied the accelerator pedal and the vehicle suddenly accelerated at a high speed. The consumer applied the brakes, but the pedal went to the floor. The vehicle continued to accelerate with excessive speed. The driver turned off the vehicle and restarted it. The consumer was able to drive it to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic informed the driver that the transmission solenoid switch needed to be replaced. Please fill in additional information.
Kia Sephia hesitation problems
25 of the 1,696 owner complaints about the Kia Sephia describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 1999 model year.
- owner complaints
- 25
- worst model year
- 1999
Is there a fix? There is 1 recall for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Stalling 7Check engine light 4Won't start 2Transmission failure 1Won't shift 1Slipping 1
What owners say
I have <45000 miles on my car (2000 kia sephia) and have had to have the front brakes replaced 3x and the back brakes replaced 1x. Also, when I turn on the AC, there is a loud noise from the front of the car. The car hesitates when trying to get up to speed. The car also feels like it is trying to pull something of great weight when driving at 55 MPH. The back seatbelts do not always lock. The dealer informed me that the seat belts are only to lock when the brakes are slammed or the vehicle is hit (so how is a child booster seat supposed to stay put when the vehicle is in motion?)
There was an ongoing / intermittent problem with the vehicle stalling while taking off from a stop position or while driving 25 MPH or more. The vehicle hesitated before it stalled. The vehicle had been to the dealer three times and they were unable to correct/ duplicate the problem. Please provide any further information concerning this issue.
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.
While driving engine light came on and overdrive light flickered. Then ,vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Per dealership this was due to transmission failure.
Vehicles' manual doors are inoperative. The driver side door hesitated to open. After consumer entered the vehicle all four doors unlocked but they will not open, consumer was trapped in their vehicle. A passer bi had to pry open the door from the outside. Manufacturer indicated that this was caused by mother nature. Please provide more details. Ph
This is a complaint regarding equipment on the 1999 kia sephia ls, manufactured by kia in korea on 08/25/98, and targets an extremely important safety item, specifically the driver's seat belt which has a defectively designed latch, since when the tab is inserted securely seated into the latch, it pulls out when pulled, or when one leans forward slightly stressing the seat belt. It is very , very dangerous, and I informed the closest dealer to my location, bay ridge kia when I brought the car in for correction of recall items, but the belt was not on the list. I am informing dot in the hope of preventing anyone from being injured by this defect. I went back to the dealer and at my expense immediately ordered a new latch section of the belt, part no. 0k2ab-57-680-96. Of course I asked, if that part had been modified? The answer was, no surprise, yes. I also had sent a letter to kia service headquarters in san diego , california . Do not hesitate to recall this item, as the belt seems locked, but it isn't.*ea04007*
When driving 25-30 MPH vehicle will vibrate and hesitate, and engine check light comes on. Vehicle taken to dealer 6 times, replaced fuel pump/ catalytic converter/ reset codes, and changed spark plugs. Did not remedy problem.
While driving at any speed vehicle was making a knocking noise. Also, while driving without prior warning vehicle hesitated. Consumer has contacted dealer, dealer determined the cause to be wheel bearing which needed replacing. Please provide any further details.
Transmission replaced twice, wiring to sensor of transmission repaired and grounding wiring to transmission upgraded, however, transmission still slips, it does not shift properly and hesitates when pulling off from a stop. Cj
Related recalls
Power train
- What is wrong
- The electronic speedometer sensor can seize, causing the speedometer and cruise control (if the car is equipped with cruise control) to stop functioning.
- Risk
- The loss of cruise control will cause temporary loss of control of vehicle speed. Loss of the speedometer will result in the operator not knowing the actual speed of the vehicle.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install a new speedometer drive gear, electronic sensor, and flexible shaft assembly.
Recall number 94V134000 · Recall details
Questions about the Kia Sephia hesitation
Which Kia Sephia years have hesitation when accelerating problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1999 (8 complaints), 2000 (7 complaints) and 1998 (5 complaints).
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