Kia Spectra transmission failure 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 May 26, 2012 · Transmission · 30,000 miles · IL

I purchased 2002 kia spectra in 11/ 2004 with 14,000 miles on it. ( I have all maintenance work documented) . In 2006 I noticed my car would get sluggish and hesitate whenever I would accelerate. It didn't happen all the time. But I did take it in for a tune-up and transmission flush and fill. This was in 10/2006 and I only had 26,000 miles on it .but this problem persisted and it worsened to a point that it took a while before it would shift gears. I would have to hold my foot on the gas pedal and pump it a few times. I took it to a dealer in january 2008 and explained to them what was happening and it was making loud noises. They said the transmission was defective and it needed to be replaced. So I replaced the transmission cost was $1,800.00 they also stated the transmission had been replaced in this car once before. Now this is the second transmission and my car only has 31,442 miles on it. So my car was now running ok at first but it still pauses and jerks when im driving. This happens with my foot on the gas pedal no matter what speed im driving at. It also wont go in reverse when I shift to the reverse gear. This began to happen in january 2012 and with only 50159 miles on it. Again I took it to a local kia dealership and the technician found that the transmission has internal failures, the cost to replace the transmission is $1520.00 installed.

Filed Apr 23, 2012 · Transmission · 31,432 miles · IL

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 kia spectra. The contact stated that the vehicle would hesitate to accelerate from a stop and would exhibit loud noises when driving above 40 MPH. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced. Approximately four years later, the contact stated that the vehicle would not reverse when shifted into reverse. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where the contact was again advised to replace the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 31,432. Updated 09/06/12*lj updated 09/10/2012

Filed Mar 1, 2012 · Transmission · 91,375 miles · AL

My mother bought this car brand new couple years back. Haven't had any problems till now. On my way to work im going around a curve and transmission went out. Thought for a second I accidentally put it in neutral. My transmission never slipped, shifted hard or any other signs of problems. This is crazy, not sure yet if kia is covering they promised warranty.. I really hope so..

Filed Sep 12, 2011 · Transmission · 55,500 miles · WA

In april of 2009 my transmission went out without warning right in the center lane of heavy traffic as I was leaving my home, I had to have the car towed to a transmission shop just to find out that kia would not honor the warranty and the costs ($1550) came out of my own pocket. The repairman told me that this problem occurs quite often with the 2003 kia spectra but there was no safety recall. Now it is september of 2011 and the transmission is going out again! With this vehicle at less than 70,000 miles the transmission should not be going out twice already!

Filed Aug 22, 2011 · Transmission · NY

2005 kia spectra passed inspection as well as all diagnostic tests. Less than a year after owning it at approximately 85,722 miles, without warning, traveling through local streets slowly (at less than 5 MPH) the transmission failed and actually exploded with such force that it left a 12 hole in the top portion of the transmission housing. Transmission fluid in the street and pieces of the transmission fell out. Leaving us stranded five hours from home. Towed to kia dealership, and found out later via pictures, e-mail, phone calls and opinions from mechanics that there appeared to have been a defect in the manufacturing of the transmission. This defect is undetectable with the naked eye (because it was internal), this would not show up in diagnostics nor trip the check engine light. There is no way of knowing this is happening unless you can see inside the transmission by that time it is too late. Looking at the pictures you can actually see through the 12 hole and inside the transmission to see the internal workings. There you will see what is an approximate 3 groove in which a bent pin (from manufacturing) wore away at the metal till there was no more metal for it to hit. At which point it exploded with such force that it ripped a 12 hole in the top of the metal housing of the transmission (with 4 of us in the car at that time). We contacted kia and advised them of situation as well as the expenses to repair and all they gave us was the run around! When asked they would not disclose where they sent the transmission. This is clearly a manufacturing issue and kia should be held liable! Transmissions do not explode! This needs to be investigated. This is a very serious issue and a safety concern! Had this happen at 70 MPH there would have been severe injuries! We have clear detailed pictures!

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Transmission · 71,000 miles · GA · 1 injury

I bought my 2003 kia spectra brand new,kept up with oil changes and maintenance,my transmission went out at 71,ooo miles. I had the so called 100,000 mile warranty on it. They did not cover any of it they said because I live in ga it gets hot,so the warranty wont cover it. Also,I was recently in a fender bender and my air bags did not deploy,and we have also had several trips to the kia place because of minor stuff such as the air not working and the check engine light continually staying on. The 2003 kia spectra's are a joke and if you live were it gets hot or too cold your warranty is of non effect.

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Transmission · 40,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle made a loud grinding noise while driving 20 MPH. The check engine light illuminated constantly and on several occasions the transmission would not release from the park position. The vehicle was taken to service dealers 4 times; where they determined the transmission was defective. On the first visit, part of the transmission was repaired. The vehicle was taken to a different service dealer for the second visit where the entire transmission was replaced. On the third and fourth visits, the service dealer was unable to duplicate the problem.

Filed Dec 9, 2005 · Acceleration, Engine · 48,000 miles · KS

Dt: the contact stated when stopping at a stop sign or while braking or pulling into a parking lot vehicle revved and lurched forward. The vehicle was taken to the dealership numerous times. They were unable to duplicate the problem. *ak updated 1/11/2006 - the transmission line had come off and cause coolant to leak. The line was repair and transmission was flushed but transmission slipped. The transmission was replaced. The check engine light illuminated three times and the dealer replaced the throttle position sensor three times. The engine light illuminated again and this time the dealer replaced the gene pulse assembly. The engine control module was reprogrammed. The engine ran rough intermittently. The dealer replaced the idle speed actuator.

Filed Aug 24, 2005 · Steering · 1,651 miles · MS · crash · 1 injury

We bought a kia spectra 5 on 06/18/2005, a 2005 model. On 06/19/05 the transmission went out (we were the first owners, less than 100 miles) our kia dealership replaced the car after two weeks of trying to repair the problem, on 07/27/05, my husband stopped at a stop sign and turned right, the car would not come out of the turn (husband said nothing on the car would work, steering froze and brakes failed) he then ran up on a curve car sustained over 2800.00 dollars worth of damage to undercarriage, wheels, drive shaft etc. Husband suffered bruises and concussion ( I am an rn he did not see physician) reported to insurance co, insurance appraiser also aware of circumstances and dealer notified, nothing was done. None of the airbags deployed.