7th Nov 2007, 19:47

How do I check the transmission fluid on a 2000 kia sephia, is it the container in front of the battery?

7th Mar 2008, 16:22

Does everyone understand check engine lights area a result of your government, IE: the EPA, making ALL vehicle manufactures conform to the Clean Air Act? As a person who understand the complexity of the systems, the check engine light is the "symptom" the "cause" can be a one of many sensors that control the air/fuel mgm't system, including, but not limited to the transmission controls. So next time the light is on, thank the EPA.

14th Apr 2008, 15:14

Hello I have a 2002 kia spectra. my transmission went out a month ago. I took it to the shop and had the torque converter replaced at $1200. a few weeks later it went out again and the shop guy says it might be the torque converter clutch. But I've done a little research and the transmission will run without the converter clutch. I feel like I've been scamed. please help.

30th Apr 2008, 21:14

I bought a brand new 2004 KIA Spectra. I've had so many problems with it, I don't even know where to start.

The first week I had it continued to take in my CDs and not eject them. They replaced the CD player.

They replaced the passenger seat because the air bag sensor didn't work (and it still doesn't work correctly.)

Then it took me SEVEN visits to the dealership to fix my air vents. Simply, air was coming out of all of the vents when I just wanted it to come out the face or only the feet.

In these visits I had many different people lie to me. I called KIA corporate just to get a man who hardly spoke English and didn't seem to care one bit about the disrespect I received.

My speedometer stops working when I travel on the highway (long distances at high speeds.) Guess what? KIA won't fix it unless they actually see it NOT working. My speedometer for crying out loud! Constant nonperformance.

I am very unhappy with my buy and I've been looking to trade it in only to find that I'm being offered $10,000 less than what I paid for it 4 years ago. It has less than 35,000 miles on it. I will NEVER buy another KIA again.

7th May 2008, 21:06

I am the proud owner of three Kia vehicles, a 2006 Spectra, a 2006 Sportage, and a 2008 Sorento. I have had great service from these vehicles and support the notion that I feel safe when driving them. I have all my service completed by my dealer in accordance with Kia suggested service and have no problems.

9th Jul 2008, 11:41

I have had a 2004 Kia Spectra for 4 years now and getting very annoyed with the check engine light problem. I have tried a new gas cap but it keeps going on and off.

29th Jul 2008, 10:48

My family owns or has owned 5 Kias including Sephia, Spectra, and Optima. I'm very satisfied with the way all 5 have run but they all had the CEL come on occasionally. The most frequent was a 2001 Spectra that the CEL would come on when it was rainy and cold then go out when the weather improved. If you're really worried got to parts store as mentioned in a prior post and let them pull the code for you. The code will tell you the specific problem.

21st Aug 2008, 14:07

Wow, I just came across this site. I have an 04 Spectra with 69,000 and recently have been having transmission issues. I am really nervous after reading all of your postings. Can't believe this, there must be course for civil action, they are certainly cutting corners at Kia. I've had countless other issues:

Air conditioning broke after 20,000

Two wheel bearings replaced by 40,000

E-brake replaced at 60,000

Both rear wheel cylinders replaced at 60,000

And carpeting replaced (unexplained hole), rubber molding came off two of the windows and the rear hatch and my lighter doesn't work now, so I can't charge my cell phone or use GPS.

Overall very disappointed with this vehicle. I bought it new and have taken great care of it and have followed all recommended maintenance.

A friend also had a 02 Kia Spectra, and I remember she had a lot of issues. She ended up getting rid of it at 80,000. I've saved all of my maintenance records for this purpose.

25th Aug 2008, 11:09

I have a 2004 Kia Spectra and bought it used last year. It has 60,360.00 miles on it. But in the past year I have had problems which were resolved but I am having a problem with it again. I have been to two dealership here in Texas in the past two weeks and as I am writing this now I have it there now as we speak. My engine light keeps coming on. They have put a fuel tank and a purge valve, a sensor for the fuel and a gas cap. (a vapor leak as the code says) This is really fustrating. I just don't know what else to do. I get worried that when I drive the car the engine light is going to come on. I really like my car. I know that engine lights are there for a reason but at times they can be annoying.

30th Oct 2008, 19:05

I once owned a 2004 "new" Kia Spectra, and the automatic transmission did not shift. Came to find out the sensor in the computer was not telling the transmission when to shift. So about 10 months after buying the car, Kia finally finds a problem with it and puts a temp fix on the car, because they did not know how to fix it. It was a joke; I tried going out for the lemon law and I lost because they put a temp fix on my car. As far as I was concerned it still was not fixed. What about all of the damage that was done to the transmission and what was still being done. The transmission still did not shift right after that.

The car also had problems with the air bag sensor in the passenger's seat, and whenever I would drive and the wind was hitting the right side of the car right, I would hear this loud annoying howl for my drive.

This car was a joke. I pity the person who bought this car after me, because one thing leads to another, and the whole car will end up dying; ever single part will need to be replaced because it never left the factory right.

22nd Dec 2008, 01:39

So, you guys suggesting don't buy kia spectra? Because I just thinking to buy kia spectra. Sad...

: (

2nd Feb 2009, 13:58

I just bought a used 2004 KIA Spectra at the end of Nov. 2008. (A Little of 2 months ago) The odometer was around 58k miles. Now my check engine light is on and I have 61k miles on it. The dealership's profound thought is that is could be nothing or it could be something. The only specific advice I got was it could be the gas cap. And to top it off, they are not willing to run a diagnostic for free. I was not well informed that if you buy a used KIA, the warranty changes to 5 years, 60K miles. So if you are interested in a used KIA, please be well aware of that BS fact.