Kia Motors Consumer Reviews - Page 3

7777 KIA PARKWAY, WEST POINT, GEORGIA -- I fell for the beautiful reminders of the Mercedes and Jaguar. I really wanted and was sold by the price and the 10 year or 100,000 miles "Bumper to Bumper" warranty... As it turns out the warranty is a farce! I have spent so much money on this car. It's not funny at all. I kept bringing in the car for the same reason... over and over again there was always something wrong with the catalytic converter. I looked all over online and did not find any recalls. Does anyone out there know of any recalls for the 2004 Kia Amanti?

When I googled Kia complaints I couldn't find anything... Not until I began searching 20 pages into it. Clearly Kia Motors has a team of people burying complaints so they don't surface immediately, but once you are in 15 to 20 pages deep, all the Kia complaints begin to show up! Just on this site alone there are thousands of complaints! Here is mine:

1. Kia does not honor a bumper to bumper warranty. That the catch to get you to buy, but then they tell you that it's actually a 30K 3 year warranty for some stuff and a 5-year or 60K warranty for the rest. Their dealerships' service departments won't let you even get as little as an oil change elsewhere before they accuse you of not been able to honor the warranty. I was supposed to get loaners during auto repair as well as roadside assistance... Well that's just before 30K miles. After 30K miles, you are screwed. At least that's what happened to me.

2. Kia should recall many of their vehicles... They are worse than Toyota. They are just really good at covering up all their vehicles flaws. I have had the same problem with my Kia since I bought it brand new...12 miles. Catalytic converter.

My Kia has well over 80K miles now. I just got finished spending 2K fixing the lack of acceleration and smoke coming out of the muffler problems in January 2010. The service guy told me I should junk my car and trade it in. The car is beautiful. I've never been in an accident and the body is intact. I can finally begin enjoying the car without a car payment, so I gracefully declined... particularly because he said they would only give me 4K for the trade.

I got my car towed back to the dealership for the same exact problem again on March 25, 2010... same symptoms. The service guy told me I needed to replace the timing belt before it broke and that replacing the water pump made sense because of where the work had to be done. He also fixed some other stuff... The cost for the repairs was $1500 plus. Since they did not have a belt in stock, I had to wait a week. They won't give me a loaner or pay for the rental because as they said... "that expired at 30K miles"

So last week the service guy calls me and says that the car was ready but when they took it for a test drive, the car was smoking and the acceleration was weak (note the reason I brought it in in the first place). He said "the catalytic converter needed to be replaced" and that would be another $800.00. My complaint is this: If I bring them the car with a problem and they misdiagnose and fix the wrong thing... how am I stuck with the bill? I feel I should pay for the replacement of the catalytic converter and not for the other stuff.

I am sure that the catalytic converter needed replacement since I purchase the car, but they just kept patching it until the warranty expired. I wrote to Kia and they have been extremely non responsive telling me I must work it out with the dealership... Why didn't I get the Honda in the first place? Screw Kia! They have fake warranties to lure you in with their poor quality product and crappy repair service! DON'T BUY KIA!

We have a 2005 Sorento that since almost new has had a highly intermittent shifting problem in the defective manual transmission. We have documented several times via telephone and by certified letters to Kia Motors America Inc. When we asked, Kia denied any other documented cases of our problem. Even though we have confirmed that we are not an isolated case at the dealer and this problem is a serious safety issue Kia Inc. refuses to honor their warranty and will not replace our transmission (or anyone's with this exact problem).

For the record, the dealer has been extremely courteous and professional but we understand their hands are tied due to corporate's indifference. We are not surprised that Kia has not duplicated the intermittent shifting problem during test driving but that does not mean it does not exist. Kia will not accept responsibility for their vehicle. Kia Inc. is "dropping the ball" big time. Keep in mind that we are dealing with a defective component that impairs the safety of our vehicle and endangers our lives. (We are not talking about just a luxury item i.e. clock, cd players etc.)

Kia dealers have informed us that very few manual transmission Sorento's are sold in the USA so our problem is appearing in very limited numbers. Perhaps too few for a defect to become apparent. If more consumers were complaining of their unsafe vehicles due to defective transmission then Kia would be forced to give this problem the immediate attention it deserves. A recall begins with just one consumer's complaint. We are sickened by their non-solution to our problem. We have documented repeatedly with Kia Inc. that our Sorento is an unsafe vehicle and should not be allowed on the road until its defect has been corrected.

As far as Kia is concerned the problem does not exist. Kia's message to us is that they do not value our safety in a vehicle they manufactured. DISGUSTING! If the situation were reversed the very same Kia Inc. staff adamantly refusing assistance to us would understand how frightening it is to be driving our unsafe Sorento and would insist that Kia Inc. take full responsibility and immediate action to correct the problem. I seriously doubt they would accept Kia Inc. telling them there is nothing they can do to help them.

If those same Kia Inc. employees were behind the wheel of our unsafe Sorento with their families including their young children or young grandchildren maybe they wouldn't be so quick to deny that the problem exists. Here is what happens when we are driving our Sorento: intermittently, suddenly we can not shift gears at all and of course, the vehicle will not move at all. It has happened upshifting in first pulling away from lights and pulling out into traffic and upshifting and downshifting in higher gears. We have been in the middle of intersections, in city traffic and highway driving.

We immediately turn on our emergency flashers and wave other drivers around us while they are honking, yelling, and slamming on their brakes to avoid hitting us. We repeatedly try to shift gears and finally get it to shift again and move to safety. Very unsettling to say the least. My wife is afraid to drive our vehicle and I fear for her, my children and young grandchildren, as well as my own safety. Every time we make a left turn or pull out into traffic we wonder if this is the time it will happen again. Driving is stressful enough without this added dangerous burden! We are absolutely shocked and disgusted at Kia Motors Inc.'s unacceptable customer service.

We are not being unreasonable by asking for a replacement transmission. At this point we should be asking for a replacement vehicle! We don't even know if a replacement transmission will be defect free or have the same problem but we have only asked for new transmission.

Do you like to spend hours on end dealing with crappy telephone menus and listening to crappier music for hours on end? Then you will love Kia Motors Finance.

Impossible to deal or even communicate with. I will be paying off my vehicle, even though financially disadvantageous, to avoid dealing with these incompetents ever again. Avoid like the plague.

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY -- Went to Kia because ad on TV states up to $5000.00 over your current Kelley Blue Book value of your trade in. I am currently stuck with a vehicle I owe about $2500.00 more than Blue Book but Kia sales department wanted me to put $3000.00 down (to make up difference) in order to make a sale. I don't feel like what they advertise is what I got.

Our son was in an accident this afternoon. The entire front-end was demolished. The airbags did not deploy. The engine was twisted sideways and the car is a total loss and the AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! We bought this car for the safety features and price. We now understand that to get the price we were shorted on quality and safety. My sister-in-law's friend also has a KIA and the AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY! I am very concerned and thank God no one was seriously injured. However, this safety problem needs corrected before someone dies.

CARBONDALE, ILLINOIS -- Kia 2009 Sorento had new tires installed and back brakes 1-27-2014, & at that time the oil pan gasket and value gasket was replaced. Had been notified of the oil seepage in Dec. 2013 and since they said not urgent I had work done in Jan. 2014. In Feb. 2014, noticed what I thought was oil leaking on my carport; took car in to dealership and was told they had failed to reconnect a coolant hose. April 8 2014, took car in for regular maintenance, oil change and lube; checklist and computerized invoice was folded in half and handed to me with no comment made about any problems.

The next day (4-9-14) I reviewed the inspection checklist and saw the notation that there was an oil leak from the oil pan gasket and the value cover gasket; these had been replaced 1-27-14. On the computerized invoice it stated that work was recommended but not performed that I would have work performed later. This statement was untrue, I had not been notified of the problem. I talked with Ser. Dept. Mgr. 4-9-14. Made arrangement to get loaner car when work could be scheduled; the gaskets had to be ordered. I told him of the false statement on the invoice. He questioned the tech and was told "he thought he had mentioned it to me".

Finally got car in for repairs 4-14-14; drove loaner home, got call car was ready at 245p. When I got home, I compared the inspection sheet from 4-8-14 and 4-14-14... Tire tread depth and remaining brakes front and back were grossly off... From 4-8-14 to 4-14-14 I had only driven 154 miles (mileage is noted on the inspection sheets). I called again 4-15-14. Excuses were made but tech finally said the inspection 4-8-14 was correct. They had hurried to get my car finished and had not done measurements correctly. Things went downhill from there, was contacted by a Manager later that day and told him the entire problem.

On 4-16-14 was contacted by Public Relations who tried intimidation by asking several times "what would it take to make you happy." The third time, I said "pay off my car and give me a three year lease on a new Kia Sorento (no, I did not want or expect that at all but was really tired of this conversation)." I was told, "let me see what I can do."
Long and short is, as of this date have heard no more from that Kia dealership.

GREENSBORO, BATTLEGROUND AVENUE, NORTH CAROLINA -- Yes, My credit is less than perfect, but the Kia dealership in Greensboro, NC on Battleground Ave, put me in the car I wanted and let me drive off the lot with finance papers in hand. I was called back to the dealership less than a week later stating I had additional paperwork to fill out, but once I got there, I was informed they could not get me financed. I then decided that I would cut my losses, take back my trade in and call it even. I was informed that my trade in had been sold and I had no choice but to take a lesser value car... OK... I'm not a pro at this business so I took them at their word, I took a lesser value car but at the same payment amount and what do you know the same exact finance company.

Two days later I lost my job and this past Monday 5/23/2011 I spoke with a representative at that finance company who informed me that they would not be able to finance me due to the jobless issue.

I then contact the general sales mgr and he advised me to come into the dealership to talk. Once I got there his attitude changed for the worse. He paraded up and down the showroom letting customers and agents alike know that he wasn't happy with me.

Now he is mad at me because he could not get me financed not once but twice. I explained to him that since my 2nd visit, I had lost my job and the best thing for us both is to call off the deal, after all, I had already been told by that same finance company that they are unable to buy the loan....so give me back my trade in and call it a day. He then told me that my trade in was gone and he had indeed gotten me financed but would not tell me who that finance company is, he then informed me that he would no longer deal with me, walked away and left me standing in the dealership, no resolution what so ever. He would not speak with me after that but did manage to yell across the entire dealership that he would not be intimidated by any one.... How can you intimidate if you are asking fair & honest questions regarding the deal or the company in which you are supposed to have financing with? Why won't he speak to me? What is he hiding?
I have filed a complaint with the NC Attorney General's Office and have already spoken to one of their representative's who has confirmed that at best, there is something wrong here!!!!

STAY AWAY FROM THE KIA DEALERSHIP in Greensboro, N. C. Battleground Avenue

NORTH BRUNSWICK, NEW JERSEY -- Watch out for this Kia dealer Gateway Kia 720 US 1 North North Brunswick NJ 08902 732-325-6100. I was looking for an orange Sportage with the orange and black inter. Called them Thursday, "Oh yea we have 3 on the lot. Call back Friday evening, "Oh ya still have 3 on lot." Got there Saturday before they opened - drove over 100 miles to get this truck. They open - "We don'T HAVE THEM" so we agreed on an slate gray as long as it had all the options I want. Upgraded sound system with the amp and sub woofer and navigation system. They said the truck was on their other lot in PA and would not release it from there until we signed all the paper work.

I keep telling them it better have all the options I want. They keep saying, "Don't worry we'll take good care of you." Did all the paper work. 4 1/2 hours later truck comes in they go, "Here you go. You been here long enough." Did not show us anything on the truck. Go home. Sent them a fast email thanking them. Then I was rushed to the hospital due to my health. Get home next day. Go out to the truck to set everything. Find out it don't have the navigation and the stereo with the amp and sub woofer. Now they are saying they showed use the invoice. THEY DID NOT. Only a picture of the car on one of their cell phones plus the one guy ** said to me call my lawyer. I was taken.

I call the BBB to make sure other people don't get screwed like I did by trusting this dealer. If they want to they can buy the radio I was promised that would be in the truck and navigation. WATCH OUT FOR THIS DEALER!!! If they can get over they will.

ORLANDO, FLORIDA -- After much excitement of leasing my first vehicle as a college graduation present to myself, I quickly had buyers remorse. Two days after signing my lease for a '06 Kia Sportage, I received a faxed copy of the paperwork, which was incorrect and didn't match the hard copies I had walked away with. Kia Finance had inputted the wrong monthly payment amount. It may not seem like a lot but at $3.17+ more a month ($135.00+ over the total lease time frame) adds up. Thank goodness my dad caught their error. Moral: CHECK EVERYTHING and then DOUBLE CHECK AGAIN!

Things were OK for the first few months with the new car, but I learned that the paint on my car scratches off very easily. Something as small as a twig could chip the paint. Cost me $100.00 to fix. Also, beware of the stock tires on Kia compact SUVs. The tread wears very quickly. I am about 7,000 miles under the agreed 3 year mileage amount and my tires are barely keeping 1/8 inch tread, and I'm not a car mechanic, but that doesn't sit right with me. I'm sure Kia will make me pay for that too at turn in time...joy.

But here's the kicker. I'm 6 weeks away from freedom (my lease expires soon!) and looking at other vehicles. After 3 years of leasing, my credit report shows no record of me leasing from Kia. I call Kia Financing to question about this, and the customer service people are rude and unhelpful. Took 3 separate transfers to speak with someone who knew what they were talking about. (I was an account major, and it's really not this hard people!) Turns out, City Kia (Orlando Dealership) faxed a typed copy of my paperwork (not the originals) to Kia Financing with the incorrect SS#. So, joy to the world, now my credit report is screwed up.

Again, it took 3 separate days of phone calls, trips to the Social Security office, the dealership, and my personal bank, multiple faxes and a half dozen rude customer service reps before Kia recognized THEIR error. Correction of this issue is still pending, and my patience is just about up.

Final Thoughts: Buyers/Leasers beware. Perhaps I have just managed to have the worst luck ever with this company, but I will never recommend anyone to buy a Kia. Their cars don't hold up well and their customer service is terrible. I personally had to lease because of my financial status at the time, but I would strongly advise against buying for sure. My 2 cents... Thanks for listening. Good Luck! Never again Kia, never again.

27320, NORTH CAROLINA -- I bought a 2005 Kia van with 6 miles on it in April 06. So needless to say it was new. It has just turned 32k in just under two years. When I first bought the van it had a shake in it. The Greensboro dealership could not find anything wrong. I also had to send it back to the shop for the door locks not working with the remote. There was also a chatter with the fan when you cut the van on or off. The final time I had it in the Greensboro location it had around 26k and they turn the break rotors to see if that would take care of the problem. They said they fixed the doors and the chatter with the fan.

As soon as I got in the van, cut the switch on it chattered. By the time I got on the highway I could tell the shaking had not been fixed also. Somewhat disappointed I took it home. I wanted to wait until I thought of what I should do . 7k later I took it to be inspected by an local company. Thinking there would not be any problem. They found the problem. The steel belts in the tire were not only broken but by this time showing through the tire. So I had to buy two tires that day and take it back.

Finally I took the van to another dealer ship in Eden NC (Tri City). The service manager looked at the tires I saved and could not believe it. The van did stay at their place for two weeks but I have to admit everything but the chatter with the fan was fixed. He did hear it but could never get it to chatter while the van was there. They did however put new struts on the front, line the front tires, order a new transmitter and receiver for the van. The only thing I paid for was the oil change. I will not buy another Kia due to the bugs that really need to be worked out with their product but I will be heading back to Tri City for my Dodge product.