Kia carens transmission trouble

We are driving a KIA Carens LS which seems to be having trouble with the transmission. When you put the car in D it seems that it drives in the second gear (slow and no power), sometimes it gets stuck in gear and it doesn?t shift. The remedy to all this is th shut the engine off and then start the car again. I wonder whether it is the car computer or the transmission? Have you ever had this type of question for another Kia Carens?

Does the car have a Winter or snow or ice gear? The linkage or cable may need adjustment.

In North America, where most of us are located, this is known as the Kia Rondo.
In some of the many countries where it is sold, this model is available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed automatic. Which transmission do you have?

Also–
What is the model year?
Is it still under warranty?
Is the Check Engine Light illuminated?
How many miles/kilometers on the odometer?
Have you ever changed the transmission fluid?
Have you bothered to check the transmission fluid?
If you did check the fluid, what did you find in terms of level, color, and odor?

In North America, where most of us are located, this is known as the Kia Rondo.
In some of the many countries where it is sold, this model is available with either a 4-speed automatic or a 5-speed automatic. Which transmission do you have?

Also–
What is the model year? 2000
Is it still under warranty? No
Is the Check Engine Light illuminated? Yes
How many miles/kilometers on the odometer? 160,000,km
Have you ever changed the transmission fluid? No
Have you bothered to check the transmission fluid? No
If you did check the fluid, what did you find in terms of level, color, and odor? N/A

160,000 km is equal to approximately 99,000 miles.

The presence of an illuminated Check Engine Light is significant–even if you did not bother to mention it initially. You should have the stored trouble codes read by an auto parts retailer. In the US, many auto parts retailers do this without cost, but in whatever country you reside, it may or may not be possible to have it done free-of-charge. Regardless, have the codes read, and come back to this thread to post the exact codes for further guidance.

Since you tell us that you have never changed the transmission fluid in this car, the probability is that the transmission is now ready for an overhaul. Whether the Kia maintenance schedule specifies it or not, automatic transmission fluid needs to be changed every 3 years or 30k miles, whichever comes first. Thus, this 10-11 year old car should have had its transmission fluid changed at least 3 times so far. This does not bode well, unfortunately.

However, you should definitely check the level, color, and odor of the fluid. If the color is anything other than a reddish-pink color and/or if the fluid has a burnt smell, then that is a very strong indication that the transmission is…about to fail.

If the color and the odor are “normal”, but the level is low, you can try refilling it with the correct specification trans fluid. However, then you need to follow up with a transmission specialist in order to determine where it is leaking.

Check the trans fluid and then report your findings to us–along with the stored trouble codes–for further guidance.