Automatic Transmission problems of the 2000 Kia Motor Sephia

Consumer complained about a transmission problem. Transmission has been replaced 7 times. Consumer contacted the better business bureau.

I have had the transmision replaced twice in my 2000 Sephia, and it is about to quit again.

Consumer was unable to shift out of park intermittently. Vehicle been to the dealer on six occasions, and problem has continued. Feel free to provide any further information.

Consumer has had transmission replaced twice. Contacted dealer.

While driving 70 mph overdrive and engine check light came on. Vehicle then dropped down to 20 mph. Towed to dealer, and transmission was replaced. This happened again, and transmission was replaced again. Consumer doubted that it was replaced the second time. She never received anything in writing. On 4 June, 2001 this problem happened again. After a few minutes, she was able to resume driving at normal speed. Consumer believed transmission was defective.

Had the car one moth had bad transmission,1 month later horn sounds off and on.

I have reported this because of the fact that upon failure, due to the fact that the transmission shifts erratically, it caused a near miss at approx 30 miles per hour because the vehicle would move fast enough to get out of the way of an approaching semi-truck.

Our kia Sephia 2000 is a lemon. We have had to replace the brakes four times because of premature ware and shaking due to poor design. We received the car with a dead battery. We are on our third battery. We were on our third set of tires before 30,000 miles. The gear shift will stick so that you can not take it out of park. The weather molding is falling off. Check engine light goes on and they could not keep it from coming on.

When coming out of first gear vehicle will stall. It may stall anytime of the day.

30 Nov 99-blinkers intermittently inoperable (mo=2,415);28 Dec 99-blinkers intermittently inoperable (mo=3,044);13 Jan 00-blinkers intermittently inoperable (mo=3,423);16 Mar 00-blinkers intermittently inoperable (mo=5,268);8 Mar 01-gear shift lever intermittently won't shift(mo=26,471);20 Nov 01-gear shift lever intermittenly won't shift(mo=33,853);30 may 02-gear shift lever intermittently won't shift(mo=33,853);5 Jun 02-gear shift lever intermittenly won't shift(mo=33,933);19 Jun 02-gear shift lever intermittenly won't shift(mo=34,443);20 Jun 02-gear shift lever intermittenly won't shift(mo=34, 536);gear shift assy changed 4 times--company claims can't verify problem. Have two witnesses with signatures from place of employment who have signed statements that they tried to get gear shift lever out of park without success. Car goes out of bumper to bumper warranty in less than 1500 miles. Power train warranty still in effect. Informed company that refund is desired. Filed with bbb here in CA as required. This problem presents a real danger to myself if can't get car out of park; can't trust car.

Horn failure. Dealer notified, and informed consumer that transmission needs to be replaced. They do not know how long before replacement transmission would arrive. Asking NHTSA to look into this matter, and provide additional information.

No summary.

There was a delay in the shifting of transmission while driving. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but the dealer was unable to correct the problem.

Upon test driving a different kia Sephia on the evening of our purchase,I noticed the rough shift of the vehicle. I was told by the sales person that it was a very new car and that it shifted hard because it had not been driven. I accepted that explaination and we proceeded to purchase a different kia Sephia that evening. My wife drove the car to work and noticed that this vehicle shifted very hard also,especially when cold. We called the dealership and mentioned this to the salespreson greg,and he said that the service department would check it out later that week when they repaired a scratch we saw on the spoiler at the time of purchase. They said a 200 mile trip we were planning would help smooth everything out. It didn't. After another week we complained again and were told the car needed 10,000 miles on it before the transmission would smooth out. When we mentioned that seemed strange they then dropped the miliage estimate to between 3000-5000 miles. We feel the design of this car's transmission is faulty and uncomfortable to drive. We were basically told "too bad. . . We don't think so". They even went as far as to tell us that all new vehicles shift very hard. In addition to the very hard shift, our gas miliage is well below the advertised fuel economy information. We were also told this will improve in 7000-10,000 miles. We are very unhappy with this car and would appreciate any help you can give us.

After vehicle had been in an accident fuel system did shut down, causing transmission and other fuel to leak out.

This is the third time to be replaced and fixed (transmission). **dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**765382.

The transmission has been replaced four times since the consumer owned the vehicle. The vehicle is currently in the shop waiting for a fifth transmission.

Car has been towed for repair 8 times in less than 18 months. No safety defect listed.

I have had to have a power steering, rack and pinion, 4 sets of brakes going on 5. I have had to have my tires rotated more times than necessary. The brakes makes a grinding, rattling noise when I try to stop. When I press on the brakes it doesn't stop quickly. The gaskets around the door ifs falling off. The radio will shut off for no reason. The heater works when it's hot outside. The windshield was leaking. It has since been repaired. Sometimes the car wont crank after sitting for a while it will crank. The engine light comes on. The glove box fell apart. I have computer problems and wiring problems. The gears are hard to put in reverse and then when it finally pops into gear it makes a loud popping sound. It slow to put in drive and then it will take off real fast almost making you run into something.