Automatic Transmission Problems of Kia Motor Sephia - part 1

While shifting transmission down shifted on its own, and the shift lock system failed. Consumer was unable to unlock the shift lever in order to move the vehicle. Consumer had the vehicle towed to the dealer for inspection.

See all problems of the 1998 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

Vehicle had automatic transmission and the gear shift will not stay in park. When parking the vehicle and turning it off vehicle rolled into reverse. Consumer had to use the emergency brake to keep the car from rolling back. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer on 3 separate occasions. Dealer maintained that the defect was not their problem.

See all problems of the 2001 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

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

See all problems of the 2000 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

My car has 30,000 miles on it and the transmission has been replaced 2 times. I have never been given a loaner to use while my car was in the shop. This is very inconvenient when you work.

Sudden brake failure; leakage around windows, trunk; gas splash back (found out there was a recall on this, never fixed by previous owner); fear shift button won't go in to change from park to drive or reverse; transmission hestitates at times, then lunges; car overheats while sitting or driving at slow speed (fan works and radiator full); smell comes from air conditioning when stopped (it really stinks, worse than a skunk); when filling gas tank to full, mark never registers full. I spoke to kia about these problems and they said I'd have to pay to have them fixed. I think there needs to be recalls on these problems as the people at kia are not very friendly nor willing to help out people. We bought this car used and thought some of the problems stemmed from that. However, in researching the brake pad issue, I found many of these same problems began early in the manufacturing of these vehicles. Unfortunately, I am not under warranty like others so have no recourse but to sell this vehicle as soon as I get the brake pads fixed. I do wish the nthsa could do something to help us out on these problems which are not being fixed by kia. Thanks - don't buy a kia Sephia 1999 model. Too many problems.

See all problems of the 1999 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

Consumer had to have the motor rebuilt. 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.

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

While driving transmission light appeared on the dashboard. Then, the vehicle lost speed.

Took car to brenner and they said it was ok the first time. Overdrive kept turning off while driving. 7/03 took my car back and now it needs a transmission and they don't want to put it in, because I did not have them do the maintenance on my car. I showed proof that the work was done. They are way over priced when it comes to main. That is not covered under warranty.

Consumer states that while driving at any speed up hill and with no warning transmission will decelerate even when foot is on the accelerator, and it will be hard for the consumer to control the vehicle. Dealer notified.

Consumer states that without warning transmission shifts into overdrive, downshifts and lurches forward excessively. Consumer had transmission and computer command chip replaced at 18k miles. Problem still exists. Ts.

See all problems of the 1997 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

The vehicle stop while driving, engine remain running but vehicle would not move repair was made at the dealer, but the probblem is reocurring. Ts.

While driving between 40-65mph transmission will downshift, and engine light will come on, making it hard for consumer to control vehicle. Dealer notified.

Vehicle does not have any power. Vehicle has been checked by dealer, who has replaced wire harness/ 2 computer chips, and transmission twice. Vehicle was picked up 7/3/02, and broke down again. Consumer has to have pedal floored for vehicle to move.

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.

While driving at any speed vehicle stalled. Driver was able to restart the vehicle, and took it to the dealer for inspection. Mechanic determined that transmission needed to be replaced, and replaced it. However, the problem recurred, and the mechanic replaced the control module. The problem recurred once again.

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. 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.

Since we bought the car we had a recall on January of 2000 for electrical system. After that we had problems with engine light going on that was due to transmission problems,wish in fact had to be repair twice and replace once. Also air bag light turn on due to alternator problem on 02/05/2002,alternator had to be replace. I would like to see a resolution to this problem because of the matter of fact the car shoulb be under the lemon law. Thank you.

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.

I have had nothing but problems since I bought this car. First it was the rotors and brakes, then all the recalls. Brakes are going again, had to get a new battery after one year. Then the transmission went. The first time was on 11/16/01 and I was out of state. Didn't get a car while it was being fixed. Husband had to rent a car. Only had 24825 miles. I missed three days of work because of it. Now, it hass happened again. On 1/19/02 on my way to work. I missed work that day. Of course it is a weekend and can't get ahold of anybody. It has only been two months since last time and I was told it will never happen again, cause they have a new and improved transmission. Imagine that. Could someone please help me, I am so sick of this car. I need a car I can rely on for work. I have to go on meetings outside and this is kind of hard without a vehicle. If I can't work I can't pay my payments now can I. Cynette cheal, va.

When vehicle is in reverse there is a clunking and rumbling sound. When vehicle is stopping or standing still it makes a loud whistling noise. When entering highway vehicle will not accelerate over 50 mph, gas pedal has to be pushed to the floor. Consumer feels this is very unsafe.

This the third letter I have sent you. I want to complaint about my kia, I can't take it anymore, this car is making me sick. This car has caused me many inconvinience from missing work, getting late to work, leaving early from work, my daughter had missed school, getting late to school, and plus a lot of headackes. This car its only two years old, its a new car, I'm still paying for this junk. And it does not qualify for the lemon law because the same thing had to happen in order to qualify, but the thing is that every time is a different problem and the botton line is that im driving a lemon and no one can help me. No safety defect listed.

I have already contacted the manufacturer in several ocasions. Filed a complaint with the bbb auto line, but case was closed because car is not a lemon. The dealers have not been able to find the problems of the transmission and the ignition. Kia had said that they were working on a "good faith offer" but after the bbb closed the case, did not hear from them anymore. I do not wish to keep the car. Kia has not honored the warranty promise; therefore they are in default of the warranty. Kia dealers won't check the car if computer does not prompt a code. The last time I dropped the car at the dealer, left it for over 5 days for them to inspect and notified kia of this action, but they could not find the intermittent problems. Monthly payment on car is $422. 52. Can't afford a defective vehicle, besides of paying for tow trucks and missing from work due to car failures. Transmission have broken twice. Every time they fix it, it does not work for long. This car is no longer reliable and I do not wish to waste my time at dealers. They have not been able to repair the problems. I am desperate for a solution. I would appreciate your advise before a procede legally.

Repair attempted 4 times, still not fixed, lost 30 days of work thus far. No safety defect mentioned.

Engine and lots of others.

This vehicle has been in the shop 4 times for various brake problems and although repairs were made I do not have any confidence in the reliability of this car. And, now that transmission had to be replaced, with such low mileage, I don't want to drive the car. I find it hard to believe that kia is not aware of all the problems with their vehicles! thank you for looking out for our safety.

-I am the second owner of this 2001 kia Sephia LS 4 door. Here is my complaint. The instruction simply stated "to shift from park press brake pedal". The button ,located in the top left side of the handle,that has to be pressed while applying brake pedal will not go all the way in. Since the date of purchased, everyday when putting gear from park to drive I had to wait 30 minutes or more before the knob can be pushed all the way in. I thought this was normal for an automatic transmission until today (1 June 03). The button was completely paralized. My car had to be towed to the nearest kia service department. They are closed on sundays. Tomorrow (Monday) I will report the problem to kia. I think all 2001 kia Sephia with automatic transmission must be recalled for the malfunctioning that my car had.

I bought my kia Sephia in 1998. Since then I have had the brakes fixed 2 times and tay replaced once. I have had the transmission replaced also. Recently my car has been riding very sluggish. When I press on the gas it makes a very loud sound. When I tr to accelerate the car does not seem to want to change into gears. It also constantly makes a loud humming sound when I am at about 40-50mph. This car has given me nothing but trouble and $$$. I am tryin to figure out if there has been a whole bunch of recalls I did not know about or if there is something that I may be able to do here to save money. I still owe 9,000 and feel like I am constantly inconvininced bringing the car in for constant repair. Help!.

Have taken vehicle for fuel pump problems over 6x. . 3 recalls & still seems to run hard/stall. Transmission first brought in on 1/1/00, they couldn't diagnose and then 3/23/01 diagnosed for same problem- repaired. Now sticks in 3-4th gear. All 4 original tires have separated and been replaced (15k miles and 24k miles). Electrical still causing powertrain and accessory-related (radio) recurringly fail. Car is extremely dangerous and kia/dealership fails to diagnose/repair only until recall on exact prev brought in problems occur (and keep recurring). This partic vehicle is extreme hazard/liability to drive. (tiresize: 185/65r14)( dot number: tire size: 185/65r14 ).

While driving at highway speeds transmission line seal that leads to motor cracked and ignited a fire, causing total loss of vehicle, without warning.

Consumer has had transmission replaced twice. Contacted dealer.

Engine check light would stay on, vehicle overheated & overdrive would blink on/off. Ground wire was suppose to be fixed,but vehicle caught on fire. Vehicle was totalled. Manufacturer said they couldn't do anything, filed a lawsuit. Warranty was not up on vehicle.

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.

Tires was replaced Feb. 29th 2000 plus alignment and flywheel replaced in transmission . After that heard rubbing nioses when I turned wheel lt. To rt. Asked mechanic about niose he stated I know what it is , when he came back to return my car (he stated) it was your mounts to the transmission was not aligned, bolts . Plus this is my second kia Sephia and I not getting any help with the problems and I could go on and on , but I would write a best seller. Thanks for listening.

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