P0741 on Kia: How to Diagnose & Fix
Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off
6 Kia models · 6 documented issues · 1 critical · $150-$5,500 repair
P0741 on Kia by model: symptoms, diagnosis and fix
The 2015-2021 Sedona's automatic transmission (6-speed through 2018, 8-speed from 2019) develops shuddering during gear changes, harsh shifts, and delayed engagement. The torque converter lock-up clutch wears prematurely, and the transmission valve body develops stuck solenoids. Kia released multiple TCU software updates to improve shift quality. In severe cases, torque converter or complete transmission replacement is needed.
Common Symptoms
- Shuddering during 2-3 and 3-4 gear changes
- Harsh or jerky downshifts
- Delayed engagement when shifting from Park to Drive
- Transmission slipping under load (uphill, towing)
- Check engine light with transmission codes
How to Fix
Start with TCU software update at dealer (often free under goodwill). If shudder persists, transmission fluid flush with Kia SP-IV ATF may help. Torque converter replacement ($1,200-2,500) for shudder. Valve body replacement ($800-1,500) for shift quality issues. Complete transmission replacement ($3,500-5,500) for severe cases.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Kia ATF SP-IVOEMKia UM013-CH059
Use for a Kia-specified fluid exchange or level correction only when service history and diagnosis call for it Fitment/availability: 2015-2021 Kia Sedona automatic-transmission branches covered by Kia's fluid guide; fluid specification U…
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Owner tips & cautions
- TipChange transmission fluid every 30,000 miles with Kia SP-IV ATF. Many Sedona transmission failures are linked to neglected fluid changes
Sources for this issue (2)
The 8-speed torque-converter automatic transmission in the Stinger exhibits harsh low-speed shifts, delayed response when pulling away from stops, and occasional gear hunting on hills. The transmission's adaptive shift learning can drift over time, leading to rough shifts. TCU software updates have improved shift quality. In rare cases, transmission repair is needed.
Common Symptoms
- Jerky or harsh shifts at low speeds (1st to 2nd, 2nd to 3rd)
- Delayed engagement when pulling away from a stop
- Transmission gear hunting on inclines
- Shudder during low-speed creeping in traffic
- High RPMs before upshift during normal driving
How to Fix
Have dealer perform TCU software update with latest calibration. A TCU reset (battery disconnect for 30 minutes, then re-learn drive) can recalibrate shift points. Check or change the automatic transmission fluid with Kia-specified ATF. For severe cases, transmission repair or replacement under the powertrain warranty ($2,000-4,000).
Call to confirm they can assess your vehicle and perform the stated work. Search results do not confirm qualification, eligibility or coverage.
Owner tips & cautions
- TipAfter a TCU update, the transmission needs 200-300 miles of mixed driving to fully re-learn your driving style. Give it time before judging the results
- TipChange DCT fluid every 30,000 miles. Many owners report noticeably smoother shifts after a fluid change with fresh Kia DCT fluid
Sources for this issue (2)
Owners of the 2004-2009 Kia Amanti report problems with its 5-speed automatic transmission. Every year uses this gearbox. 2004-2006 cars pair it with a 3.5L V6 of about 200 hp, and 2007-2009 cars with a 264-hp 3.8L V6. In NHTSA complaints, 2004 owners describe the transmission skipping or hesitating going into 2nd gear and from 2nd to 3rd at about 10,000 miles. Another describes the car trying to lurch forward when stopped in gear with the brake on. 2005 owners describe sudden jerks or lunges, hesitation after shifting from Reverse to Drive, and the car seeming stuck in first gear. Dealers often could not reproduce these faults and found nothing stored in the computer. In one case, reprogramming and a maintenance service did not cure the jerking. On the 3.8L cars, one 2007 owner reported the transmission failing at about 80,000 miles. Only a small number of complaints have been filed. Kia issued a January 2007 bulletin (TSB 018) to reset and relearn the transmission's adaptive shift values on the 2007 Amanti.
Common Symptoms
- Harsh, delayed, or skipped shifts (especially into 2nd or 3rd)
- Car lurches forward when stopped in gear with the brake on
- Hesitation or no power after shifting from Reverse to Drive
- Sudden jerks or lunges, sometimes seeming stuck in first gear
- Transmission slipping or failing at higher mileage
How to Fix
1. Check the fluid level and condition first. The 2007 owner's manual specifies Diamond ATF SP-III or SK ATF SP-III, with a transaxle capacity of 10.9 L (11.5 US qt). Kia's ATF application guide (TSBTRA046) lists the correct fluid by model. 2. Scan for stored transmission and engine codes. Dealers often found none when owners reported jerking or lurching. Write down when the fault happens (cold start, a certain speed, after shifting from Reverse to Drive) to help a technician reproduce it. 3. On 2007 cars, ask a Kia dealer about TSB 018 (Automatic Transmission Adaptive Value Reset/Relearn, January 2007). If the check-engine light is also on, ask whether PCM/ECM software bulletins TSB 039 (P0110) or TSB-061 Rev 1 (3.8L) apply to your VIN. 4. If the transmission still slips or loses gears with correct fluid and current software, have a shop diagnose it to decide between repairing internal parts and rebuilding or replacing the unit. The only 2007 recall Consumer Guide lists is for the stop-lamp switch. That switch can affect the brake-shift interlock (the shifter may not leave Park), not the transmission itself. One 2007 owner whose transmission failed at about 80,000 miles reported paying over $2,500 for a used replacement transmission, plus over $700 to ship it.
Call to confirm they can assess your vehicle and perform the stated work. Search results do not confirm qualification, eligibility or coverage.
Sources for this issue (9)
- CarComplaints - Kia Amanti: 2007 transmission slippingforum
- 2004 Kia Amanti automatic transmission complaints (CarComplaints/NHTSA)owner-reports
- 2005 Kia Amanti automatic transmission complaints (CarComplaints/NHTSA)owner-reports
- 2007 Kia Amanti transmission slipping complaint (CarComplaints)owner-reports
- TSB list for the 2007 Kia Amantitsb
- Kia TSB 018: Automatic Transmission Adaptive Value Reset/Relearn (2007 Amanti)tsb
- 2007 Kia Amanti owner's manual specificationsowner-manual
- Consumer Guide: 2004-09 Kia Amantireview
- Cars.com: 2007 Kia Amanti what's newreview
The YD-generation Forte's conventional six-speed automatic (A6GF1 behind the 1.8/2.0 Nu, A6MF2 behind the 1.6T) wears the aluminium valve-body bores that carry the two pressure-reducing valves and the torque-converter-clutch control valve. As the bores egg out, solenoid feed pressure becomes unstable: line pressure control goes off, upshifts flare or momentarily neutral, the 6-4 kickdown lands as a bang, and torque-converter lockup applies harshly or shudders at light throttle around 40-50 mph. It sets TCC-circuit and pressure codes rather than a hard failure code. This is a hydraulic wear failure of the torque-converter automatic and must not be confused with the BD-generation IVT judder or the GT's 7-speed dry DCT shudder - three different transmissions with three different failure mechanisms.
Common Symptoms
- Hard bang on 6-4 kickdown
- Flare or momentary neutral between upshifts
- Shudder or vibration at light throttle 40-50 mph as lockup applies
- Delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse
- Erratic shift points and slipping under load
How to Fix
Start with a genuine Kia SP-IV fluid exchange (not a high-pressure flush) - degraded fluid accelerates bore wear and sometimes quiets an early shudder. The durable fix is valve-body service: either a remanufactured/OEM valve body, or a bore-repair kit (TransGo SK A6MF and equivalents) that re-sleeves the reducing-valve and TCC control-valve bores. A P0743 almost always means the TCC solenoid itself, which Kia addressed in a transmission TSB. If lockup shudder is severe and long-standing, replace the torque converter with the valve body or the shudder returns. No recall covers this.
Sources for this issue (4)
- TransGo A6MF1/2, A6GF1, A6LF1/2/3 Shift Kit valve body repair kit - documented failure modesarticle
- P0743 Torque Converter Clutch solenoid on A6GF1 - Kia TSB TSBTRA051R1 referencearticle
- 2014-2016 Kia Forte 1.6L Turbo A6MF2 Transmission: Problems and Identificationarticle
- Kia Forte Service Manual - Torque Converter Control Solenoid Valve (T/CON_VFS) Removalarticle
The A6MF-family 6-speed automatic can develop harsh or erratic shifting, hard 6-to-4 kickdown 'bang,' shift flares, brief neutral feel during up/downshifts, and torque-converter clutch (TCC) shudder. The root cause is wear of the reducing-valve bores in the valve body, which lets line pressure drift out of spec; neglected fluid (SP4-spec) accelerates the wear. The internal wiring harness is also a known high-failure component on this transmission family, producing intermittent solenoid faults.
Common Symptoms
- Hard or jerky shifts
- 6-to-4 downshift bang/clunk
- RPM flare or neutral feeling between shifts
- Torque-converter shudder at light cruise
- Delayed engagement into Drive/Reverse
How to Fix
Start with a proper SP4-spec fluid service and a TCM software update if available. Persistent harsh shifting, gear-ratio or solenoid-performance codes are usually resolved by rebuilding or replacing the valve body (with the reducing valves/solenoids), and inspecting the internal harness for abrasion. In severe slip/shudder cases the torque converter is replaced.
What you need to fix it
Only diagnosis- and fitment-reviewed repair parts are linked here.
- Genuine Kia UM013-CH059 ATF Type 4(M) / SP-IV transmission fluidOEMKia UM013-CH059
Use only for a Kia-procedure fluid service after level, condition and transmission diagnosis Fitment/availability: 2017-2022 Kia Sportage QL six-speed automatic, both 2.4L GDI and 2.0L T-GDI; the current Kia guide lists total fill 7.1 qt…
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases; other part links may also earn au7o a commission. Confirm fitment by VIN before buying.
Sources for this issue (2)
The 8-speed automatic exhibits torque-converter (damper clutch) shudder felt as a vibration around 45 mph and during uphill gear changes, plus hesitation and weak pickup on re-acceleration and merges. Early 2020 units could log P0741 damper-clutch faults; some required full transmission/torque-converter replacement.
Common Symptoms
- Shudder/vibration around 45 mph
- Whole-vehicle shudder during uphill gear changes
- Hesitation and weak pickup on re-acceleration
- Harsh or slamming shifts
- Vibration below 1,500 rpm
How to Fix
Kia service action SA428 (TSB 090, 19 specific 2020MY units built May 18-20, 2020) replaced the entire automatic transmission and torque converter for noise/vibration below 1,500 rpm; later rough-shift/hesitation complaints on MY22 addressed under SA490 (TSB 232) with ECU and TCU software updates. Dealers diagnose via campaign lookup; reflash first, hardware replacement if shudder persists.
Sources for this issue (4)
- Kia TSB 090 (Rev 1) - Service Action: Automatic Transmission/Torque Converter Assembly Replacement (SA428), NHTSA copytsb
- Known Transmission Issues - 2020 (Kia Telluride Forums)forum
- TSB 090 202006 - Transmission & Torque Converter Replacement (SA428)tsb
- TSB 232 Rev 2 - Service Action: Acceleration Logic Improvement (ECU & TCU) (SA490)tsb
P0741 code reference
General diagnostic-code context. The code alone does not confirm a cause for your vehicle; use the applicable issue card and its sources.
Frequently asked questions
What does P0741 mean on a Kia?
P0741 stands for "Torque Converter Clutch Circuit Performance/Stuck Off." This code means the torque converter clutch (TCC) is not working as expected and is effectively stuck off, so the converter clutch isn't locking up the way the computer commands it to. The TCC mechanically links the engine to the transmission at cruising speeds to reduce slippage and improve fuel economy, and the computer compares engine RPM to transmission/output speed to verify lockup. When the expected RPM drop from lockup doesn't happen, it sets this performance code. You may notice higher-than-normal RPM at highway speed, reduced fuel economy, and sometimes elevated transmission temperatures. On Kia it is documented across 6 models: Sedona, Stinger, Amanti, Forte, Sportage, Telluride.
What are the most common causes of P0741?
The most common causes of P0741 are: Low, dirty, or degraded transmission fluid, Faulty torque converter clutch (TCC) solenoid, Stuck or worn valve body / TCC control valve, Failed torque converter (internal clutch worn or slipping), Internal transmission leaks reducing apply pressure, Damaged wiring or connector to the TCC solenoid, Faulty transmission control module (TCM/PCM). The specific cause varies by vehicle.
How much does it cost to fix P0741 on a Kia?
Published repair estimates on Kia range from $150 to $5,500 depending on the model and root cause. If an issue mentions a recall or campaign, check your VIN with the manufacturer or NHTSA and confirm eligibility and coverage with a dealer.
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Content compiled with AI assistance using NHTSA complaints, TSBs, and owner reports. May contain errors. Always verify with your vehicle's service manual.