This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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 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 plus labor and taxes.
Constant problem with check engine light. Transmission replaced on 5/28/04 (47,800 miles). On 7/5/04 had same acceleration problems, dealer found no evidence of problem after having car for 2 days. On 8/3/04 again had same acceleration problems with transmission, again after having car for 2 days, dealer found no evidence of problem. Same day (8/5/04) took car home transmission would not change gears. Pulled off road, put car in park, shut off car, waited a couple of minutes, restarted car, no problem at that point with shifting. Called dealership in brandon (who replaced transmission) spoke with andy advised him what had happened. He stated it was an electrical problem and it was reseting itself once the car was turned off. He said he would get in touch with his technical people to find out what to replace to fix car. I have called andy every day, sometimes twice a day and all I can get from him is his people will not return his call and in turn andy is not returning my calls. The check engine light is still coming on and now you have to bump the starter a couple of times to get the car cranked. The starter was not giving me a problem until the transmission was replaced. All I am asking is for this car to be properly fixed.
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.
- Selma, AL, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
While driving engine light came on and overdrive light flickered. Then, vehicle hesitated to accelerate. Per dealership this was due to transmission failure.
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.
Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without the transmission failed causing the vehicle not to accelerate. Dealer replace transmission three times.
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.
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.
Transmission failed while driving vehicle, it would run roughly. When vehicle was driven a certain distance and tried to accelerate vehicle would not accelerate. Contacted dealer and dealer stated warranty expired.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Swartz Creek, MI, USA