Lookup Kia Transmission by Model Year Engine
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At a Glance
- Fluid matters most. Kia’s own fluid application bulletin assigns SP-III, SP-IV, SP4M-1, SP-IV-RR, SP-CVT1 or a DCT fluid depending on the unit. They are not interchangeable.
- Type is easy, exact code is harder. The table below gives the transmission type and fluid from Kia’s bulletin. Where a public source names the exact code we show it; otherwise confirm by VIN with a Kia parts counter or from the case tag.
- Hyundai shares most of these units, so a Hyundai listing with the same code usually fits.
- Check campaigns: the 2019 to 2021 IVT cars and 2021 to 2023 8 speed wet DCT cars have open Kia campaigns (below).
Which Transmission Does Your Kia Have?
| Model | US years | Engine | Type | Code | Fluid |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forte | 2010 | 2.0L | 4 speed automatic | A4CF family | SP-III |
| Forte | 2010 | 2.4L | 5 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP-III |
| Forte, Forte Koup | 2011 to 2013 | 2.0L, 2.4L | 6 speed automatic | A6 family | SP-IV |
| Forte, Forte5, Koup | 2014 to 2015 | 1.8L | 6 speed automatic | A6GF1 | SP-IV |
| Forte, Forte5, Koup | 2014 to 2018 | 2.0L, 1.6T | 6 speed automatic | A6 family | SP-IV |
| Forte5 SX | 2017 to 2018 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Forte | 2019 to 2024 | 2.0L | IVT (CVT) | C0GF1 | SP-CVT1 |
| Forte GT | 2020 to 2024 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Rio, Rio5 | 2006 to 2011 | 1.6L | 4 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP-III |
| Rio, Rio5 | 2012 to 2019 | 1.6L | 6 speed automatic | A6GF1 | SP-IV |
| Rio | 2020 to 2023 | 1.6L | IVT (CVT) | IVT, confirm by VIN | SP-CVT1 |
| Soul | 2010 to 2011 | 1.6L, 2.0L | 4 speed automatic | A4CF family | SP-III |
| Soul | 2012 to 2019 | 1.6L, 2.0L | 6 speed automatic | A6GF1 (1.6L), A6 family | SP-IV |
| Soul Turbo | 2017 to 2019 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Soul | 2020 to 2025 | 2.0L | IVT (CVT) | C0GF1 | SP-CVT1 |
| Soul GT-Line Turbo | 2020 to 2022 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Seltos | 2021 to 2025 | 2.0L | IVT (CVT) | IVT, confirm by VIN | SP-CVT1 |
| Seltos | 2021 to 2023 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Seltos | 2024 to 2025 | 1.6T | 8 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP4M-1 |
| Optima | 2001 to 2006 | 2.4L, 2.7L | 4 speed automatic | F4A42 / F4A51 family | SP-III |
| Optima | 2011 to 2020 | 2.4L | 6 speed automatic | A6MF2 | SP-IV |
| Optima | 2011 to 2020 | 2.0T | 6 speed automatic | A6LF2 family | SP-IV |
| Optima | 2016 to 2020 | 1.6T | 7 speed dry DCT | 7DCT, confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| K5 | 2021 to 2025 | 1.6T, 2.5L | 8 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP4M-1 |
| K5 GT | 2021 to 2025 | 2.5T | 8 speed wet DCT | confirm by VIN | Wet DCT fluids |
| Sorento | 2005 to 2009 | 3.3L, 3.5L, 3.8L | 5 speed automatic RWD/4WD | confirm by VIN | Kia Red 1 |
| Sorento | 2011 to 2018 | 3.3L, 3.5L, 2.0T | 6 speed automatic | A6LF2 family | SP-IV |
| Sorento | 2011 to 2018 | 2.4L | 6 speed automatic | A6MF2 likely, confirm by VIN | SP-IV |
| Sorento | 2019 to 2020 | 3.3L | 8 speed automatic | A8LF1 family | SP-IV |
| Sorento | 2021 to 2025 | 2.5T | 8 speed wet DCT | confirm by VIN | Wet DCT fluids |
| Sportage | 2005 to 2010 | 2.0L, 2.7L | 4 speed automatic | F4A42 / F4A51 family | SP-III |
| Sportage | 2011 to 2022 | 2.4L | 6 speed automatic | A6MF2 likely, confirm by VIN | SP-IV |
| Sportage | 2011 to 2020 | 2.0T | 6 speed automatic | A6LF2 family | SP-IV |
| Sportage | 2023 to 2025 | 2.5L | 8 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP4M-1 |
| Telluride | 2020 to 2025 | 3.8L | 8 speed automatic | A8LF family | SP4M-1 |
| Sedona | 2002 to 2005 | 3.5L | 5 speed automatic | F5A51 family | SP-III |
| Sedona | 2011 to 2018 | 3.3L, 3.5L | 6 speed automatic | A6LF2 | SP-IV |
| Sedona | 2019 to 2021 | 3.3L | 8 speed automatic | A8LF1 family | SP-IV |
| Carnival | 2022 to 2025 | 3.5L | 8 speed automatic | A8LF1 family | SP4M-1 |
| Cadenza | 2014 to 2016 / 2017 to 2020 | 3.3L | 6 / 8 speed automatic | A6LF2 / A8LF1 family | SP-IV |
| Stinger | 2018 to 2023 | 2.0T, 2.5T, 3.3TT | 8 speed automatic RWD/AWD | confirm by VIN | SP-IV-RR |
| K900 | 2015 to 2020 | 3.3TT, 3.8L, 5.0L | 8 speed automatic | confirm by VIN | SP-IV-RR |
| Niro HEV, PHEV | 2017 to 2025 | 1.6L hybrid | 6 speed dry DCT | confirm by VIN | DCT fluid 70W |
| Niro EV, EV6 | 2019 to 2025 | Electric | Single speed reduction gear | none | 70W GL-4 or SP4M-1 |
| Spectra | 2004 to 2009 | 2.0L | 4 speed automatic | F4A42 family | SP-III |
| Rondo | 2007 to 2010 | 2.4L / 2.7L | 4 / 5 speed automatic | F4A42 family (2.4L) | SP-III |
| Borrego | 2009 | 3.8L / 4.6L V8 | 5 speed / ZF 6 speed | ZF 6 speed (V8) | Kia Red 1 / ZF Lifeguard 6 |
Sources: Kia fluid application bulletin TRA046 (2025 revision, 2012 edition), Transend unit listings and Transmission Digest. “Family” means the code family is supported but the exact suffix varies. An earlier version of this page used a worldwide list with errors, for example listing the 2011 to 2017 Optima as A6GF1.
Transmission Campaigns, Recalls and Bulletins
- Campaign SC199: 2019 to 2020 Forte, 2020 to 2021 Soul, 2021 Seltos with IVT. Slipping or delayed acceleration and a check engine light; TCM update and IVT replacement if needed. Kia re-notified owners in February 2026. Kia notice.
- Recall 22V760 (SC250): 2021 to 2022 Sorento and 2021 to 2023 K5 with the 2.5T 8 speed wet DCT. The electric oil pump can fail and cause loss of drive. Recall notice.
- Recall 23V531: 2023 Soul, 2023 Sportage, 2023 to 2024 Seltos. The electric transmission oil pump controller can overheat; park outside until repaired.
- Recall 23V534: 2017 to 2022 Niro and Niro PHEV. Fluid can leak into the hydraulic clutch actuator circuit board.
- Bulletins: SA281 (2017 Forte5 1.6T DCT synchronizer), SA396 (2019 to 2020 Soul 7DCT hubs), SA454 (2021 Seltos 1.6T DCT limp mode), TRA069 (2016 Optima 2.0T and Sorento harsh shifts, TCU reflash).
Check open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What This Repair Costs
| Repair | Typical total cost |
|---|---|
| Fluid and filter service, DIY | $70 to $180 |
| Fluid and filter service, independent shop | $180 to $400 |
| Fluid and filter service, dealer | $300 to $650 |
| Valve body or solenoid pack | $600 to $1,800 installed |
| Rebuild or replacement | $2,500 to $5,500 |
Rough US estimates for planning, not quotes. Prices vary widely by model, parts brand and region, so get a written quote before committing.
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Buying the right parts starts with identifying the right unit. Every row above gets more expensive if the first step is a guess.
When to Stop and Hand It Over
- The unit is slipping, flaring or shuddering. Identify it, but do not expect a fluid change to cure mechanical wear.
- You find metal in the pan during a service.
- The car has no dipstick and the level must be set at a specific fluid temperature.
Reading the Transmission ID From the Car
VIN decoders and parts catalogues get this wrong often enough to cost people money, because mid year production changes are not always reflected. The car itself knows which unit it has, and the transmission control module will tell you.
The YOUCANIC UCAN-II Pro reads Kia transmission control module data including the unit identification and software version, along with transmission specific fault codes that a generic OBD2 reader cannot see. If you are about to order a valve body, a solenoid pack or a filter kit, confirming the unit first is worth the few minutes it takes.
Many of these units have no dipstick and are set through a level plug at a specified fluid temperature, so live ATF temperature is needed to do the job correctly rather than approximately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the transmission code on a Kia?
It is usually on a tag or stamping on the transmission case, and on the vehicle information label under the hood. A Kia dealer can also look it up from your VIN.
Does Kia share transmissions with Hyundai?
Yes. Kia and Hyundai use the same transmission families on many models, so parts and fluid specifications often match between the two brands for the same engine.
Which transmission fluid should I use in my Kia?
Use the fluid listed in your owner’s manual for your exact transmission. Newer Kia automatics and IVTs use specific fluids, and a universal fluid can cause harsh shifting or damage.
Related guides: Most Common KIA Transmission Problems · Hyundai Transmission Problems
