Amanti Acceleration Problems

[PaulBenson]

One question I have is when your car is lagging have you ever put the shifter over to the manual side to see what gear it is in? What I have noticed is that if you are coming to stop and do not stop completly the car stays in 3rd gear. Then you start to accelerate and the transmission hesitates trying to figure out what gear. If you push on it hard enough it goes to 1st gear giving you the lurching feeling. Can the lurch / lag be reproduced with the shifter in the manual mode? I just figured all this was created by bad transmission programing. I have an 04 with 58,000 miles and it has acted like this since day one.

[janthony2d]

Haven't tried moving it to manual - but, it usually appears when I start from a stop. One incident was from a stop, went about an eighth of a mile, stopped at a sign and accelerated again and went about another eighth of a mile before it kicked in with a jolt.

I will try moving it to the manual to see what we get. I'm just frustrated that they don't care enough about a new car sale to even return a call when you're having major problems. Thanks!

[aubbon]

I had a 2005 Amanti that lurched and did not accelerate. Dealer could not find anything wrong. Also had transmission replaced at 13000kms. Problem persisted and dealership took back the vehicle and gave us a 2006. Same problems with acceleration and lurching with the 2006. Dealership uploaded a new computer program and now check engine light comes on, no acceleration and vehicle shudders and bucks. Vehicle has been back to the dealership enumerable times this month. Contacted Kia Canada and they advised that they will not buy back car as it is under warranty and dealership will fix. I have started an arbritration process which if successful will require manufacturer to buy back vehicle less a mileage charge. Will never purchase a Kia vehicle again.

[vanpj]

I am amazed that dealership gave you an '06 when your '05 had problems. No luck with my dealer. Kia says the same thing they're telling you. Since dealer could not duplicate problem then THERE IS NO PROBLEM. I've authorized an Atlanta GA law firm that specializes in lemon law to go after Kia. They feel I have a good case. Anyone want the name and address, let me know and I'll gladly get info to you.

[Grizzly]

Something must be different in the US-cars. I never heard from this problem overhere in Germany !

Grizzly

[Wild2005Amanti]

I've had a similar acceleration problem, but not to the drastic degree experienced by others. It will only occur from a dead stop and usually after the car has been off for many hours. It is not a constant problem, just occasional. Seems like a software, or more likely in my opinion, an injection problem. It feels like a fuel boost instead of a tranny issue. Just my take on it.

[GXD154]

I own a 2004 amanti with approx 83000 kms. I had a quarter tank of gas and then filled the tank. I then drove over 100 kms. On the way back (30 kms) the check engine light came on and the car lost power. I could not exceed 40 kms/hour. After stopping, the car would not exceed 20 kms/hour. I called the dealer and the service rep told me to turn off the car, wait for ten minutes and then proceed. After waiting, I started the car and the amanti drove normal but of course the check engine light remained lit. I have already booked a service appointment. Additionally, I hear a whine/whistle at idle.

The car has been great so far without any problems. On this forum it seems that many Amantis have this acceleration problem. Does anyone have a definitive repair?

[caseycat]

I encountered the exact same problem as GXD154 two nights ago. The check engine light is still on but the OBD2 Code Reader can't read what the computer says the problem is (Err1). Now that the car has set for a couple of days I'm anxious to see if it's fixed itself but I'm hesitant about putting it out on the road without knowing for sure if it's going to quit completely. I didn't know if I was going to make it home when it lost power the other night.

[07Jim]

Have an 07 Amanti. The accel. pedal is very sensitive and causes rapid accel if pedal is touched too forcefully. Have found sitting further back in the seat my foot rides on the lower third of the pedal and allows more control. Dealer simply says thats the design. But then, dealers don't really seem to be versed in their products.

[GXD154]

My 2004 Amanti is finally repaired. The sensor that determines the accelerator position worked intermittently. The moment the computer fails to receive an accurate gas peddle position, the check engine light comes on and the car goes into limp mode. My car was repaired under warranty.