P0705 on Kia vehicles A fault in the transmission range sensor — the module cannot tell which gear position is selected
P0705 is named on 7 Kia model years (2016–2020): 7 manufacturer filings and 2 owner reports in NHTSA’s files, across Optima, Sedona, Forte, Sorento, Sportage.
Which Kia model years name P0705
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications and complaints| Model year | Filed under | Bulletins | Owner reports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Kia Optima | Electrical System | 2 | — |
| 2017 Kia Sedona | Electrical System | 1 | 1 |
| 2020 Kia Sorento | Power Train | — | 1 |
| 2017 Kia Forte | Power Train | 1 | — |
| 2017 Kia Sorento | Power Train | 1 | — |
| 2017 Kia Sportage | Power Train | 1 | — |
| 2016 Kia Optima | Electrical System | 1 | — |
A model year is listed because the code is named in its own record — a bulletin filed against it, or an owner’s complaint about it — not because every one of these vehicles sets it. Counts are documents in NHTSA’s files, not failure rates.
What Kia owners said
Source: NHTSA complaint databaseOwners’ own words, scrubbed of anything identifying. Unverified reports filed with NHTSA — what was said, not a finding that it was true.
My cars drive SyncUP got this error code Transmission Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction (PRNDLInput) (P0705), took it into kia east the next day, they claimed everything was safe and they couldn’t find anything wrong with it after having 3…
Kia filings that name P0705
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communicationsBulletins and campaigns Kia filed with NHTSA whose summary names P0705. Quote the document number at the service desk — it is a diagnosis the maker has already written down.
- TSBTRA072A_R2 Service bulletin2018-02-12 · Electrical System — Starter Assembly
- TSB - SERVICE ACTION: INHIBITOR SWITCH - REPLACEMENT (SA317A) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the inhibitor switch on some 2017MY Optima (JFa), Sorento (UMa), Optima Hybrid (HEV), Optima Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV), Sportage (QL), Forte (YD), and Sedona (YP), and some 2016-2017MY Optima (JF) vehicles, equipped with a
What P0705 means
Source: SAE J2012 / OBD-IIA fault in the transmission range sensor — the module cannot tell which gear position is selected.
A stored code names the test that failed, never the part that caused it. The record above is what Kia and its owners have filed about it; the code’s page across every make has the whole file.
Common questions
Source: NHTSA files and the OBD-II standardIs P0705 a known problem on Kia vehicles?
It is a documented one: NHTSA's files hold 7 manufacturer filings and 2 owner reports naming P0705 on 7 Kia model years (2016–2020). Whether it is a problem on one particular car is a diagnosis, not a count — but a bulletin that names the code on your model year is the place to start.
Which Kia models does P0705 appear on most?
2017 Optima (2 documents), 2017 Sedona (2 documents), 2017 Forte (1 document).
Does P0705 on a Kia mean it is recalled?
No. Recalls are filed by campaign and matched by VIN; no recall is triggered by a scan tool. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or open the model year's page here for the campaigns filed against it.