P0746 on Kia
Pressure Control Solenoid Performance/Stuck Off
P0746 on Kia vehicles indicates pressure control solenoid performance/stuck off. Au7o has documented this code across 2 Kia models — most commonly on Forte, Rio. P0746 means the transmission's pressure control solenoid 'A' is performing poorly or appears stuck in the off (low pressure) position. This solenoid regulates hydraulic line pressure that applies clutches and bands to make smooth, firm shifts; the TCM detects when commanded pressure changes aren't producing the expected response. A stuck-off condition typically means line pressure stays low. You may experience slipping, soft or delayed shifts, harsh engagement, overheating, or the transmission entering limp mode. Typical repair costs on Kia range from $150 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0746
- •Low, dirty, or degraded transmission fluid
- •Faulty pressure control / EPC solenoid
- •Clogged valve body passages or stuck valve
- •Wiring or connector fault at the solenoid
- •Internal transmission wear (worn clutches, leaking seals)
- •Dirty or clogged transmission filter
- •Faulty transmission control module (less common)
P0746 on Kia by Model
Kia Forte(1 issue)
- A6GF1/A6MF2 Six-Speed Automatic Valve Body Bore Wear - Harsh 6-4 Downshift, Shift Flare and TCC Shudder2014-2018
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.
Kia Rio(1 issue)
- CVT/IVT Hesitation, Jerking, and Delayed Engagement at Low Speed2021-2023
Owners have documented hesitation from a stop, delayed engagement into Drive or Reverse, shuddering at low speed, and inconsistent acceleration behavior from the Rio's Intelligent Variable Transmission (IVT/CVT). These complaints are common enough across Hyundai/Kia small-car applications that service information and dealer software updates have been discussed to address shift logic, drivability calibration, and adaptation behavior. In some cases the issue is software-related; in others, internal transmission wear or pulley/belt problems are suspected when symptoms persist.
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View P0746 across all makes →Frequently Asked Questions
What does P0746 mean on Kia?▼
P0746 stands for "Pressure Control Solenoid Performance/Stuck Off." P0746 means the transmission's pressure control solenoid 'A' is performing poorly or appears stuck in the off (low pressure) position. This solenoid regulates hydraulic line pressure that applies clutches and bands to make smooth, firm shifts; the TCM detects when commanded pressure changes aren't producing the expected response. A stuck-off condition typically means line pressure stays low. You may experience slipping, soft or delayed shifts, harsh engagement, overheating, or the transmission entering limp mode. On Kia specifically, this code is documented across 2 models.
What causes P0746 on Kia vehicles?▼
Common causes on Kia: Low, dirty, or degraded transmission fluid, Faulty pressure control / EPC solenoid, Clogged valve body passages or stuck valve, Wiring or connector fault at the solenoid, Internal transmission wear (worn clutches, leaking seals). Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0746 on a Kia?▼
Repair costs on Kia range from $150 to $4,500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Kia models have P0746 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0746 on 2 Kia models: Forte, Rio.