Kia Sephia transmission failure problems

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 Nov 23, 2006 · Transmission · 44,805 miles · NY

Transmission failure 3 times/ replaced 2 times.

Filed Dec 27, 2005 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · MI

Over the course of the previous few months, prior to the incident, I noticed that the 2000 kia sephia with 80000 miles began to have a hard time with the shifter. It became increasingly more difficult to get the car to shift from park to drive. It continually felt like the shifter was stuck. I ended up having the car towed via flatbed because the car refused to start. After getting it to a mechanic I was told that the transmission had failed, however, being the car only had 83000 miles I sought a second opinion. After contacting the dealer and describing the problem to one of the mechanics (who will not be named), I was told this is a common problem with this make and model kia. That the seal is faulty in the transmission casing and after a period of time dirt and/or water leaks into the linkage causing it to not shift. The way to correct is to either replace the transmission or to have the linkage redone and re-lubricated for proper operation. A third opinion revealed the same information. A kill switch does not allow the car to start unless the car is in park or neutral. So once the automatic transmission was manually shifted into park the car started immediately. It was indicated this problem is common and will more than likely re-occur but that the "treatment" should hold for at least a year. After $485.00 in repairs not including the tow the transmission is beginning to act up again. I don't want this happening to other people and wanted to make sure that this complaint is lodged and urge that transmission issue records be seized because it seems to be a pretty common knowledge thing among mechanics that this happens on this make and model kia sephia. The seals had to be repaired and the linkage properly lubricated to correct the issue. However, reading the kia website for information about transmissions this is supposed to be a non-serviceable area and the dealer is supposed to replace the transmission to the tune of $1800.00 plus labor and taxes.

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 11, 2004 · Transmission · 45,000 miles · FL

Constant problem with check engine light. Transmission replaced on 5/28/04 (47,800 miles). On 7/5/04 had same acceleration problems, dealer found no evidence of problem after having car for 2 days. On 8/3/04 again had same acceleration problems with transmission, again after having car for 2 days, dealer found no evidence of problem. Same day (8/5/04) took car home transmission would not change gears. Pulled off road, put car in park, shut off car, waited a couple of minutes, restarted car, no problem at that point with shifting. Called dealership in brandon (who replaced transmission) spoke with andy advised him what had happened. He stated it was an electrical problem and it was reseting itself once the car was turned off. He said he would get in touch with his technical people to find out what to replace to fix car. I have called andy every day, sometimes twice a day and all I can get from him is his people will not return his call and in turn andy is not returning my calls. The check engine light is still coming on and now you have to bump the starter a couple of times to get the car cranked. The starter was not giving me a problem until the transmission was replaced. All I am asking is for this car to be properly fixed.

Filed Apr 20, 2004 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Consumer had to have the motor rebuilt. *ph the engine was rebuilt because the engine kept overheating. Now the transmission needs to be replaced but the consumer cannot afford to repair it. The starter was also replaced.

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 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 Nov 12, 2003 · Transmission · NY

When accelerating, the driver noticed the vehicle would not gain any power. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership to replaced the transmission. A few months later, the transmission was replace again for the same problem. This is the third transmission that has been placed in vehicle. *ph when accelerating, the driver noticed the vehicle would not gain any power. Consumer took vehicle to the dealership to replaced the transmission. A few months later, the transmission was replace again for the same problem. This is the third transmission that has been placed in vehicle.

Filed Oct 29, 2003 · Body, Transmission · 30,738 miles · OH

Transmission failure.