2004 Kia Spectra transmission problems

Filed Jul 20, 2012 · Transmission · 100,932 miles · MI

I went into kroger's and picked up a few items. When I was done, I left the store and got back into my car to finish running some errands. I started my kia- spectra and she purred like a kitten- as usual. I put my car in reverse to back out of the parking space but my kia would move. I was pressing the peddle and my car did not move. I could hear the car revving up but I wasn't moving. To make a long story short- I had my kia towed to the dealership for an inspection and was told that I needed a new transmission and it would cost me between $2200-3600. I was devastated and shocked. My kia was working just fine. I never had any indicators that the vehicle was having problems. None of my dashboard indicator lights flash or light up. My car has been parked for the last three months because I could not afford to cover the repairs. I purchased my vehicle 4 years ago and have taken it to the dealer for all the regular scheduled maintenance to maintain a well-functioning vehicle. I was laid off from my job over 5 years ago. I paid $8,700 for my kia using monies from my prophet sharing to cut down on living expenses so that I could stay on top of things between jobs. I was assured by the dealer that my vehicle was certified and would remain in great condition if I kept up with the necessary vehicle maintenance. I did everything I was suppose to and my vehicle is no longer in service. The dealership I take my vehicle to for service, advised me to contact your organization and report my issues concerning my vehicle. My car should be on the recall list because this vehicle is prone to defective transmissions. I am on a fixed income and I need my car repair. Please let me know if I can get my car repaired under a recall. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Aug 29, 2010 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · AZ

I have a 2004 kia spectra that has an issue sticking in third gear. It started a month after I bought the car brand new. I noticed it when I first pulled out of a side street on to a main road and when I pushed on the accelerator the car was barely moving. Thank god no on coming traffic was coming, cause yes I would of caused an accident. When I took it in to kia they said they could not find any issues. Then a month or so later I was accelerating off an exit ramp and the transmission stuck in third gear. I had to pull off the side of the road. When I stepped on the brake it reset and I was off again. I again took it to kia and they kept it all day, but still said they could not find an issue. It felt like the car was in park and I was pressing on the gas. This has happen 6 more times, but kia says they have not found any issues on their computer. Now the car has no warranty so I just live with it.

Filed Jan 14, 2009 · Transmission · 15,000 miles · WI

My fiance's bought a kia spectra.... I have noticed for awhile that at freeway speeds its ok... Getting to and coming down from freeway speeds however is a interesting time... The car for about 2-3 secs. Revs and doesn't slam but seems to ease into gear then jerks forward... Passing other vehicles is not done often due to this problem. And when getting on the off ramp the motor down shifts and revs. Way to high then same as before eases into gear and jerks backwards. Then while on city streets the transmission has a much larger stall before getting into gear 4-5 secs. And this time is slams into gear producing torque steer. I had her take it in and said they couldn't find anything. So I never further persuade it.. Because nothing was going to be done. Have worked at a dealership before. They did however see that the speedo would flip out and not work at sit at 40 MPH at a dead stop then as you got to 20 MPH it would climb insanely then sit there they have fixed it 3 times and the third seemed to be the charm. So I am wondering if there has been a recall about there transmissions. I don't remember when exactly when this happened but mileage was about 15k and still happens till this day at 58k. So I drive it because I worry for her safety and my sons.

Filed Oct 19, 2008 · Transmission · 66,298 miles · SC

The car will suddenly accelerate while driving. It will also lunge when shifting into gear, forward and reverse. It does not occur everytime the vehicle starts. We brought it to the dealership twice for this problem. The first time they said they couldn't duplicate the problem. The 2nd time they said that it is normal for RPM's to go up when the engine is cool. When the car lunges, the brakes have to be depressed as hard as possible to stop the car. It sounds like the same problem they had with the kia amanti.

Filed Apr 16, 2008 · Engine, Transmission · 36,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2004 kia spectra. While driving 50 MPH, the engine revved when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The failure occurred four times. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but they were unable to find a defect. The failure mileage was 36,000 and current mileage was 40,000. Updated 5/30/08 *cn the consumer stated the transmission slips from a stop it feels as though it is in neutral. Updated 05/30/08

Filed Apr 4, 2006 · Electrical, Transmission · 18,400 miles · NY

Dt*: the contact stated while shifting gears, the transmission lurches. The dealership determined the computer is not sending the proper signals to the transmission to shift gears. The dealership is unaware of how to repair the vehicle. Updated 5/3/2006 - *nm

Filed Oct 14, 2005 · Acceleration, Transmission · 7,590 miles · WA

Dt: the consumer stated that her transmission seemed to be slipping. She had taken the vehicle to dealership three times to be examined. The dealership could not find the cause of the problem. The consumer stated that the problem occurred between 20-40 MPH. This was an intermittent problem but occurred more frequently. When this happened the consumer had to pull the vehicle over and place the vehicle in park then back to drive. Even though there was a temporary fix, the vehicle was still hard to pull over when in traffic. The consumer had been in contact with kia, and they took her information and had the dealership call her back. When the consumer was at the dealer, they simply examined the vehicle, then gave it back to the consumer and told her that there was nothing they can find that is wrong. The dealership made the uncomfortable when they treated her like she made up the problem. The consumer is considered applying for the lemon law in her state. *ak (12/08/05) the rpms would increase but the vehicle would not go faster. Kia replaced the computer board in relation to the transmission. *sc updated 1/25/2006 -

Filed Jun 28, 2005 · Electrical, Transmission · GA

Dt: consumer has filed a safety complaint #6259431 with federal trade commission. Concerning automatic transmission failure on same issue as stated in odi #10125427. Also, consumer spoke with the manufacturer kia motors. Manufacturer said someone would be in contact with consumer within 3 days. It has been 2 weeks and consumer has not heard anything. Consumer said that transmission shifted into a lower gear for no reason. Last time vehicle was at dealer it would not go very fast, and the engine was very sluggish. Consumer said that it was like trying to pull out in a higher gear than 1st or 2nd. Gear. When driving on the highway at 70 MPH the car would down shift to a low gear and it would drop to 35 MPH. Dealer indicated that something was making the vehicle drop into safe mode, which caused vehicle to stay in second gear. Dealer replaced transmission control module (TCM), replaced the throttle body, and has done something to the grounds. In february the dealer replaced the transmission . Currently they replaced the TCM, added a new computer , and adjusted linkage cables for transmission. However, consumer maintained that problem became worse.

Filed May 13, 2005 · Transmission · 30 miles · GA

Transmission gear will not change. Vehicle locked while in traffic. Dealer was not able to duplicate the problem.*ak the transmission continued to lock up and produced a burning smell. *bf

Filed Apr 3, 2005 · Transmission · 8,000 miles · IL · crash

The gear shift slipped out of drive into neutral and pulled to the right striking a parked car. Extensive damage to both cars, no injuries however. In october of 2004 the transmission slipped out of drive as a truck was approaching while making a left turn. The car did move by putting gear shift into neutra as the driver tried anything to get out of the wayl. This car is on it's third transmission, with less than 10,000 miles on it.