Transmission complaints by model year
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I test drove the vehicle and it drove fine. After I signed papers to buy the vehicle, I drove it home. On the way home I was doing the speed limit which is 65mph but I always stay a little under that speed limit. I got to about 65 and boom it was like the transmission had come through the floor and it felt as if I was going to be ejected from the car! That scared me to death!!! After that it started dragging so I had to exit the highway and drive the city streets with my emergency flashers on because I could do no more than 35-40 MPH. I got the car nov 2016 and this happens everytime I drive it. Its doing the same thing just sitting in a drive through. It kicks back so hard it hurts my neck. It feels like someone hits me from the back everytime. I would really y like to know where I can have this repair taken care of because this is very dangerous. …
When going down the interstate, it feels like I hit something (I did not). My speed decrease so much that it turned off my cruise control. Glad no-one was behind me. It started feeling very slugish with high rpms. I stopped for about 20 minutes. Restarted my engine light came on, and it would not shift out of 3rd gear. I stopped again this time for over an hour. Started my car and drove another 15 miles. It shift fine. Chwck emfine light was still on. Next, morning started my car and drove. I had no problems. 4 days late, driving my car 38 miles and had the same problem. This time with the same issue, take off is very very slow. This is not a constant problem. I never know when the problem will start.
I purchased my 2007 Spectra5 used with 155,000 miles on it. The engine had no codes or any stored codes. It ran fine until I filled it up with gas. I DO NOT overfill the tank because I understand EVAP issues. After filling up the vehicle would stall at idle and occasionally lose power (momentarily) at highway speeds (55 mph and up). Obviously this is an extremely dangerous situation! Once the gas level got below 1/2 tank the issues went away...but now I ONLY fill the tank to halfway and the problems arise again every so often. Since there are no codes present I cannot replicate the issue without possibly damaging components further and I already replaced the battery, plugs, IAC valve, MAF sensor, and oil to try to remedy this problem. …
I was driving on the interstate about 65 MPH. All of sudden, the car lost all forward motion power. When I pressed the gas, the rpms increased, but the car did not get any power. The engine continued to run without problem. After stopping on the shoulder, I put the car in park and turned off the engine. After starting again, I put the car in drive, the forward power was working again and the car shifted fine. Transmission fluid was changed at 110,000 miles. Suspecting transmission, I took to a transmission specialist. I was given the following information: error code p0750 shift solenoid; error code p0755 shift solenoid b; error code p0760 shift solenoid c; error code p0765 shift solenoid d. Was given price quote to fix, but encouraged to contact Kia dealership about problem as they had seen this before on other similar Kia spectras. Called dealership to inform them of problem. …
While driving at freeway speeds vehicle suddenly slams down a gear or two causing moderate whiplash,and scaring the living crap out of myself and any passengers, upon having vehicle inspected by an ase certified repair technician he confirmed my complaint and stated that car seemed to be going into either second or third gear causing the vehicle to jerk and slow rapidly accompanied by loud bang or clunk noise and making me loose control of vehicle problem only occurs once vehicle is warmed up and at operating temperature, had transmission and electrical components inspected by professional transmission repair (atra) certified repair facility the owner of this shop told me specifically that he has seen this same problem with numerous kia spectra models ranging from about 2003 through 2009 yr models , kia denies that the vehicle has a problem that is manufacturer error related and stated …
Problem is the check engine light came on/off and on again. Fault codes were p0700 and p0748 as done at autozone. Some type of fault with the transaxle (p0700) or failed transaxle control module/failed linear solenoid valve/open or short cicuit condition in the linear solenoid control. While driving the car shutters hard car shifts fine when engine is cold. When engine warms up (after driving about 10 miles) while cruising in 4th gear, a lurch is felt from the drive train and the trans down shifts to 3rd gear. Shifting to neutral and back to drive doesn't help. The trans stays in 3rd gear. Shutting the car off and let it cool down and it is back to working normal again. Thinking about replacing the shift control module. Fix link.... …
2005 Kia Spectra has automatic transmission problem. Several Kia mechanics at various Kia dealerships (banner, pat peck, and Kia of slidell) say performance is normal, but it slips out of gear on the highway, almost putting our family in several accidents, because it scares us so much. Our family loves the Spectra, and takes very good care of it, but this unsafe condition has made anyone we know fearful to ride in it, when they feel it bucking in and out of gear, on the highway. Please convince Kia to stand behind this car, and repair it to the condition we were promised - thank you. The car has always done this, from what we remember, and various times Kia service people have said that this is just the way the Spectra is - the last visit, they convinced us to flush all of the fluids, to take care of any issues, once and for all, and now it is worse than ever. …
Tl contact owns a 2005 Kia Spectra. The contact stated when he engaged the clutch pedal to change from neutral to first gear, the clutch arm became stuck and the vehicle would not shift into gear. A mechanic consulted with the consumer and stated that the clutch arm failure appeared to be heat related as the metal expanded in hot temperatures and caused the arm to bind up. A call to the dealer was made who refused warranty, but otherwise service.. The failure and current mileage was 43,000. Updated 07/18/11
Frequently asked questions
Which Kia Spectra years have transmission problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2003 (16), 2004 (16), 2002 (12), 2001 (8) and 2007 (8) model years. Transmission complaints make up 18% of all complaints for the 2003.
Is there a recall for Kia Spectra transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain recall for any Kia Spectra model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Kia Spectra transmission problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles; 60% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the automatic transmission (43 mentions), followed by the manual transmission (5).
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.