Transmission Stuck In Gear Problems of Kia Motor Sephia

Over the course of the previous few months, prior to the incident, I noticed that the 2000 kia Sephia with 80000 miles began to have a hard time with the shifter. It became increasingly more difficult to get the car to shift from park to drive. It continually felt like the shifter was stuck. I ended up having the car towed via flatbed because the car refused to start. After getting it to a mechanic I was told that the transmission had failed, however, being the car only had 83000 miles I sought a second opinion. After contacting the dealer and describing the problem to one of the mechanics (who will not be named), I was told this is a common problem with this make and model kia. That the seal is faulty in the transmission casing and after a period of time dirt and/or water leaks into the linkage causing it to not shift. The way to correct is to either replace the transmission or to have the linkage redone and re-lubricated for proper operation. A third opinion revealed the same information. A kill switch does not allow the car to start unless the car is in park or neutral. So once the automatic transmission was manually shifted into park the car started immediately. It was indicated this problem is common and will more than likely re-occur but that the "treatment" should hold for at least a year. After $485. 00 in repairs not including the tow the transmission is beginning to act up again. I don't want this happening to other people and wanted to make sure that this complaint is lodged and urge that transmission issue records be seized because it seems to be a pretty common knowledge thing among mechanics that this happens on this make and model kia Sephia. The seals had to be repaired and the linkage properly lubricated to correct the issue. However, reading the kia website for information about transmissions this is supposed to be a non-serviceable area and the dealer is supposed to replace the transmission to the tune of $1800. 00 plus labor and taxes.

See all problems of the 2000 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

When vehicle is in reverse it does not move, only after pressing the accelerator lightly it slams into gear throwing the vehicle backwards, vehicle gets stuck in first gear at 30 mph when the air condition is in, and does not exceed this unless the accelerator is pushed to the floor, at which point the vehicle shifts an extremly hard shift into second gear, the transmission has been replaced three times including the upper transmission case seal, however consumer is still experiencing problems.

The gear shifter gets stuck, it is hard to release from park.

The gear shifter gets stuck, it is hard to release from park.

Driving at speed of 65mph, vehicle will downshift, stuck in gear and vehicle will not move.

See all problems of the 1996 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

When changing gears from park to reverse the shift lever becomes stuck between gears, cause unknown. Please give any further details.

See all problems of the 1998 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.

The car wouldn't start shortly after I bought it. It took several trips to the dealer in order for them to replace the starter. After the starter was replaced the problem continued and the flywheel was finally replaced. Approximately one week prior to receiving a recall notice on the wiper blades the wipers stopped working during heavy rain on a highway which almost caused me to get into an accident. I have had electrical problems such as the ceiling light going on and off whenever I turned corners. The car battery was even replaced after the new starter and flywheel were put in because the car still had problems starting. Recently the transmission had to be replaced. A week after the transmission was replaced the overdrive light and the engine light started blinking on and off. The car finally stalled and had to be towed. The car was given back to me and I was told that a gasket in the transmission was leaking. A week after that the over drive light and the engine light started flashing again and the car starting driving as if it was stuck in first gear. The car finally stalled again and wouldn't move.

See all problems of the 1999 Kia Motor Sephia 🔎.