Attention Kia Customers

I own a 2003 Kia Sedona and a 2006 Sonata and have noticed a few things also. The Hyundai uses name brand parts such as Bosch while Kia uses off-brand, generic parts to keep costs down. Service at my local (35miles) Kia dealer has been dismal, to say the least. They've screwed up more things than they have fixed. Today, I noticed what my wife (it's her daily driver) has been complaining about since having the transmission fluid changed at the dealer. When you shift it into gear, it sits there for about

5 seconds before shifting. Guess what, the fluid level is low and out of sight on the dipstick! Now I have to call the 'service advisor', who is nothing more than someone who writes down what the poor customer tells him, and drive 70 miles round trip to have them put fluid in the transmission, which is what they were supposed to do in the first place.!. A month ago, I had the alternator go south just after picking it up from an extensive fluids and spark plug change, which they talked my wife into. If you look at the manual, none of the fluids except the oil had to be changed to protect the warantee.

Well said Ranger45.

This is to Tom....I would like to maybe elaborate on what Ranger45 is trying to convey to the public.

I am a Warranty Administrator at a local Kia dealership and have worked with Kia Motors America for a few years now....even back when they were exactly what Ranger said "cheap"....All wires regardless of what they were for or their function were all one color, making it difficult to diagnose and repair....also alot of their interior features are not what they are now.

And Yes, even though they might cost 20-30k they still have alot of "cheap" inventions on their vehicles...but as a customer you aren't going to see that. I work with both sides of the spectrum (customers and technicians) and I can wholly understand both sides.

Let me explain...The Kia franchise has come along way in their production

- especially since Hyundai is part of the mix. But when it comes down to diagnosis and mechanical breakdowns, unfortuantely Kia is "behind in the times" compared to other manufacturers...in their computers, wiring habits and such...which I would imagine is what Ranger is referring too.

In saything this, Technicians are often frustrated when trying to repair your vehicle and there is no information, the Techline Assistance cannot help you , therefore alot of times the technician is limited on what he can do and can consider Kia to be "cheap" and "behind the times"

I know, I work with them everyday and I also live with a Certified Kia Technician....lol

Hopefully this will help, just a little..... :)

If you would like more information...you can also post or send my an snipped-for-privacy@comcast.net

On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 15:57:53 -0500, someone posing as Ashorttoy took a five minute break from flipping burgers to boot up the etch-a-sketch and scribbled:

Man, what a pain! As a tech, it must be extremely frustrating trying to call your "technical support" line and getting no answer. How are the shop manuals? Are they at least somewhat extensive?

Also is Kia working to remedy this situation? So far, I've been very happy with my '02 Sedona but can see that - as I approach 60K - I'll be needing something done in the next few years.

Flipping burgers eh?

ANYWAY...... Well, unfortunately the problem with communication with Kia...the tech-line...they answer, but alot of times, they don't know what your problem is or what is causing it. A famous line from Kia Techline is this: "We don't know, when you figure it out, call us back and tells us what the problem was and how you fixed it."

Lol, let me insert this also: I am not badmouthing Kia, just trying to convey that it isn't always easy to fix wierd problems with Kias, alot of them...are great....some of them have their quirks.

As far as manuals....they suck..they don't explain procedures, alot of the diagrams are missing key components and such as that. As far as Kia trying to make better? The problem with that is Kia Motors America is only handing out what Korea is giving them...so....there you have it

And Perfect...glad you love your Sedona...my advice...turn it in when the warranty is expired...the parts can be very expensive! I own a Kia myself, and pads along are about 120.00 a pair.....

you really put your email address upo there, you live dangerously.

I have to say my 2 sportages have been like swiss watches. unfortunly the two kia dealers on long island went out of business over a weekend. (they were owned by a Honda dealer). the people ther were great, they are all unemployed now. I see my fromer saleslady from time to time in the Home depot where I work.For PR they (KIA) leave a lot to be desired. you can't ebven find a parts breakdown that's readable on-line. now they charge for it. I did find this really good site "Automotive Forums.com carChat". there's a Kia service tech who really knows what he is doing, who answers question. so far he has been right on the money each time. The 2001 Sportages have a problem in cold weather, you smell exhaust when it starts, it was a simple clamp change and the feul pressure regulator. think Kia would tell you that. I can't say I have had any other problems. One car came from a dealer, the other I bought on eBay, and have done well with both. My only change was to add a interior light to the top of the cargo area. theirs gets covered if you put anything in the back. cost $5 and some wire snaked behind the paneling.

On Thu, 05 Jan 2006 11:51:05 -0500, someone posing as helix took a five minute break from flipping burgers to boot up the etch-a-sketch and scribbled:

LOL!

It is my throwaway yahoo address. For the most part, all I get are invites to claim my $35,000,000 lottery winnings from some guy in Nigeria.

Okay, that sux!

On Thu, 05 Jan 2006 09:54:20 -0500, someone posing as Ashorttoy took a five minute break from flipping burgers to boot up the etch-a-sketch and scribbled:

Like that? :)

Wow, sounds like me working with Microsoft!

I'd love to turn it in and get a midsize truck, maybe a mid-80's Suburban. :)

Actually my mother is looking at turning in her decade-old dodge for a Sportage. I drove the V6 EX this morning. Very nice little truck.

You may wish to become a poster in the Sorento Forums

I am the assistant manager at a Kia dealership, and I would like to oint out a few problems with your statement. Kia DOES cover adjustments for 12months/20,000km, headlights are covered under warranty for 3yr/60,000km. In your reference to generic parts, NGK platinum plugs, michelin tires etc. are not what I consider sub-par.

The job of a service advisor is to listen, understand, and respond to customer's needs. At no time should the advisor become defensive (if trained properly). Yes customers can be difficult, but their frustation is not your problem, their car's problems are yours.

The dealer has the responsibility to act as a representitve of the factory, thus satisfing your customers needs before the lemon laws/CAMVAMP procedure. (In 5 years, we have never had to settle an issue with an arbritator's assistance.)

Kia boasts and backs up one of the best warranties in the business, during delivery, our service dept. is introduced to the new client, and we go through the basics of car care with these clients.

I hope you have what sucess you can in this industry, another option is looking for a new career, where public service is not involved.

While you as a Service Manager will teach that...I am sorry to say that we all don't have the perfect customers you obviously have in your dealership.

Here in the US...in the North East, we don't know what it is like to have customers such as the ones you speak. We do tell these people EVERYDAY how they need and should care for their vehicles...unfortuantely our most common answer for that is: "Isn't it covered under my warranty."

And yes, you are right about the warranty coverage, although alot of people around here aren't told that when they purchase the vehicle.

So instead of critism think before you speak. And if I was under your leadership I would think you were a pompas ass....

I posted earlier about my 'stealership' and the fact that they wouldn't cover a replacement headlight. Steve says they are covered but my Service Advisor vehemently said 'no way'. As an update to my auto transmission problem, I had to go back to the dealer after a transmission flush, which they said I needed at 30,000 miles to protect my warrantee, which wasn't true (come to find out). The transmission was slow to shift from reverse to first after backing up. They admitted that the level was low so they put in another 1/2 quart. Now it is shifting very harshly under partial throttle. Almost a 'bang'. This will be the third visit of 90 mile round trip for these fools to get it right, if they ever will.

Tom

I am thinking they the dealers dis-service Dept.only damaged you'r Trans. who knows what the guy who they gave this job to really did.

I would fine another place to get it repaired.