Six problems related to manual transmission have been reported for the 1998 Kia Motor Sephia. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Consumer had vehicle towed to dealership, and was informed that a new transmission was needed, however three days lated consumer began experiencing problems again.
Engine check light came on and stayed on. Also, transmission stick shift kept sticking, and engine head gasket blew out. Dealership replaced engine head gasket and stick shift.
This vehicle was purchased in June of 1998, it has been out of service for more than 40 days for repairs for various electrical, braking, transmission, and various other defects that have rendered the car inoperable since February, 1999.
Many problems with the car some have been caused by the dealer.
Vehicle stalls and loses power from 50 mph to 40 mph. Dealers are not able to duplicate problem. Also vehicle has many other defects. Consumer states while traveling 45-55 mph, vehicle will decrease in speed approximately by 3-15 mph, this happens almost on a daily basis. Difficulty shifting into reverse and 5th gear, with vehicle in reverse and on an incline, vehicle will stall while attempting to back up.
Since purchasing vehicle consumer has had nothing but problems, vehicle has been in and out of repair shop 10-12 times,consumer took vehicle back to repair shop and was told that a new transmission was needed.