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Kia

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Common Kia Problems • Brakes • Stalling • Sudden acceleration • Transmission • Collision Damage • Just everything! --- News • Kia.com Rated Best Web Site for New-Vehicle Shopping • Kia Owners Awarded $6 Million in Class Action • Hyundai Offers $85 Million to Settle Horsepower Suit • Kia Aces J.D. Powers Survey • Horsepower Overstated

Kia's parent company, Hyundai, admits it overstated the horsepower on certain Kia and Hyundai models. Oh, but don't worry, the CEO said, people don't buy these cars for their power anyway. that's an understatement.

In fact, there are so many problems with Kias it's hard to know where to start. Most cars have one or two problems that tend to be dominant -- Ford's 3.8l V-6 engine, to pick an infamous example. But with Kia, pretty much everything seems to go wrong.

More recently, Hyundai and Kia raised eyebrows when they finished unexpectedly high in the J.D. Powers Initial Quality Survey. The Powers Survey is highly regarded but perhaps "initial" quality isn't the problem? Check the complaints listed to the right and judge for yourself.

Michelle of Oregon City, OR November 12, 2009

In Sept of 2007 I purchased a New Kia Rio for my daughter. In December of 2007 she was in a accident that totaled the Kia. during the accident the air bags in the car didn't deploy. Her car and a Toyota land cruiser meet coming around a corner bending the Kia between the front and back passenger doors. In August of 2009 I bought my daughter a used 2003 Kia Rio so she would have transportation to go back and fourth to school.In October of 2009 she was in another accident where she rear ended a truck punching a hole through her license plate and riping her bumper off and pushing in the whole front of her car. Again no deployment of the air bags.

Robert of Baltimore, MD November 1, 2009

My 1997 Kia Sportage has had it's gas tank assembly deteriorate without my knowledge and the steel cover sheathing fell off the tank on I 95. I was never told of a gas tank recall, however Kia did issue a gas tank recall for the 1997 Kia Sportage and others for gas tank leakings and assembly corrosion. The recall notice came out in March 2008 by Kia.I have to get it repaired or replaced and am afraid to drive the car until then.This means a rental or borrowing a car from family.I have no idea what it will cost and how long it will take to get fixed..

I know it is the gas tank assembly because I had to get under the car to pullout the metal which had fallen off the fuel tank and drug down I95 until I could reach a gas station.I found the recall notice for the gas tank from Kia Motors own website dated March 2008..I WANT KIA TO PAY FOR THE INSTALLATION AND PARTS OF THIS FUEL TANK.

Margaret of Jacksonville , FL October 28, 2009

Took my 414.00 and than notified me that my engine has sludge in it. Also premier KIA closed/bankrupt and my car was taken by Bank of America transported to Orange Park KIA and than they treated me horrible and I feel discrimated against as a female and plan to take action.

samuel of brunswick, OH October 28, 2009

Our 2005 Kia Sedona Van developed a coolant leak. We took it to a local repair shop. They replaced the rusted out rear heater lines at a cost of 359.89. A few days later we discovered this has been a common problem on the Sedona vans for several years. There is a Kia TSB issued for this problem. The redesigned Kia replacement lines have a protective coating to prevent this problem. I contacted Kia via internet asking for reinbursement. They called and said their 100,000 mile rust out policy doesn't cover heater lines. Our van had 85,250 miles on it. I was told to contact the Kia dealer where we had the van serviced. They acknoledge the problem (they replaced many of these lines at a cost to costomers over 500.00) but said our vehicle was not covered for this problem.

Nancy of Linden, VA October 28, 2009

First, within the first 10- 20K miles I noticed that my transmission/FWD did not work properly, I complained that the wheels would lock or it would not go into four wheel drive. especially, in re verse! I took the car to Parsons Kia, Winchester, Where I purchased the car. They kept the car a day, and told me they could not find anything wrong with the car. I believe I took it back again, when I had them do an oil change, again, they said they could not find anything wrong with the car. I remember our conversation. So, what happens when I get to 100K miles and than all of a sudden you find something wrong! Well, they told me that I documented it so it would show I had an issue with the transmission.

I took the car in for a 60K mile warranty work (not cheap by the way) I again complained to Parsons Kia that the transmission did not seem right, and told them it would clunk - Again, they said their was nothing wrong. About a week or two after I had my car in for the Warranty work, that I paid for. The car would not start. I took the car back to KIA and again told them that there was something wrong with the transmission., I had a friend drive it and he noticed it too. SO it went back to KIA for 1) not starting 2) the Transmission or something as I said was most wrong!

WELL, after 3 plus weeks, Kia put on and off my front axel, replaced my transfer case . I got the car back, within a DAY I called back Parsons KIA I told them the car shimmied and did not shift right, I took back the car. I was told that AGAIN there was nothing wrong. It was my tires. I had my tires balanced and rotated at Costso, I had purchased very good tires and my tires are good and have several miles on them 30K at least according to Costso.

WELL, here we are... my car went to Kia AGAIN my latest trip was August 7, 1009.. Still they could not find anything wrong with my transmission. I told them the clutch was tight, it still shimmied, and I could not shift into third and the car clunked at low speeds. Kia, said nothing they could find--If they drove it, like I suggested! They would have noticed it--VERY noticeable.

I took my car to Hunyadi, I relationship company to KIA--GUESS what. My transmission is shot--third gear is nearly gone! The gears are replaced with a new transfer case. According to Hunyadiâ, My estimate to get fixed is 4,700.00. This car is still under Warranty, I have 74K miles. My feeling is KIA wants me to go over the 100K so they won't have to pay for the transmission.

Bridget of Peru, IL October 26, 2009

i bought a 2003 kia sorento in 2005 with 17000k. i was very pleased with the vehicle up until oct 2009. i had 61,309k and was 2 hours from home in a very rural location, when my cam shaft went out. by the grace of god I was able to drive it a few more miles into a town to a ford dealer.the sound that this car was making was very scary.i had the car checked by the mechanic who said that it would take 4-5 thousand dollars to fix! the warranty only went 5 years or 60,000k. no warning-no check engine light-nothing!i had noone to call for a ride 2 hours away so i traded it that day for a ford edge. (buy american!)i called kia and although they sympathize with my situation there is nothing that they can or will do! i was'nt asking for a new car. i wanted an explanation or something. all she said was "i'm very sorry"and i said no your not or you would do something.i will never buy another kia in my life.all I can say is buyer beware! they are good out of the gate but not much for stamina!!

victor of cairo, Egypt October 21, 2009

I bought a car half a year ago and 3 weaks ago while i was driving, it stopped on the high way. I took to the kia service and the motor is damaged. The car had water and oil. I check each day. To everybody i asked, the car is still under warranty and has to be fixed by them . They try to make reasons that i was the mistake. THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE, a warranty is a warranty.....it is not fair that they want to charge me around 4000, then i told them i have 6 cars bought for my own company from kia. And i will upgrade this rio kia car to a better one and pay the difference. They offered me a very cheap price and screwed me more and more........What are they doing.....now we are the 3rd weak and they just do not care......is there a way to return all the cars and change the company......or such big companies are careless????? I need my car fixed as it is there mistake and the car is defect........please help me.

Katie of Syracuse, UT October 17, 2009

We bought our 2005 Kia Rio brand new at the end of 2005. We were looking for a "reliable" car that was affordable and would have a great warranty. Famous last words. The sales people really talked up the 100,000/10 year warranty. So we got suckered in and bought it. At 38,000 the timing belt went out, and siezed up the engine, which meant the whole thing had to be replaced. It was 4400 to replace. We had to moan, complain, fight and finally have our attorney friend threaten to sue them to have them cover it under warranty. They had the car for 10 days, under which they provided a rental car, only for us to get the rental bill of 350 later, after our car was fixed and returned. We never paid it, since they had said it was on them.

Now we have had the Kia in the shop 3 times in the last month and half for the clutch. The first time they told us it was the cable out on it, and we replaced it for 250. Two weeks later it was acting up again. They replaced the shift mount, and luckily didn't charge us as they said it was covered under the original work order. 10 days after that, the car can't be shifted at all, and we had it towed back to Kia. Now they are saying it must be our problem, because they "fixed" it the first two times. They said that they have to take the entire engine apart, and the transmission out to determine the real problem causing this. They wanted us to authorize them to do this at 85/hour in labor, not knowing how long it was going to take. I told them that this was a warranty issue, and they said that they can't determine that until the car is taken apart and they determine the problem. So I am supposed to just authorize them to take it apart, pay the labor and just hope they cover it? Yeah right! PLayed this game before with them!

So now, they are going to take it apart, with us telling them we are not paying for any of it. They are not providing a car. They are trying to explain that the tranmission and the engine (which was replaced at 38000) shouldn't be covered because of "high mileage". It is at 60,000, which still falls within their 10 year/100,000 miles, so what is the problem? We are gearing up for another full throttle fight to get them to pay for it...after all, it is the third time in 7 weeks it has been in the shop for the same problem. Moral of the story, if you are reading this and considering a Kia RUN RUN RUN.

Kimberly of Williamsport, PA October 13, 2009

I am currrently leasing a used 2004 Kia Optima from my local Kia dealership since November of 2007. Since i bought the car I have put in more money in repairs than the car is worth. First of all the rear tires were bald when i got it which they said were fine and worked good in the snow. Being a young inexperienced blonde, they got me i guess. Within the first month, the headlights blew out which i learned would be the first of many times I would replace the headlights. When i changed them, i realized they were missing a tiny pin to hold the bulb in place which i was told by the dealership I cannot purchase without buying the while headlight assembly. I had a guy friend craft one out of a safety pin which is holding up for now after 3 lightbulb replacements. Then the drivers side automatic lock system froze. While very pregnant I had to climb in and out of my car through the passenger side door over the gear shift. I had it fixed at the dealership which of course required the whole system to be replaced which cost 372.00. Next went the cooling system. Luckily it was just a hose came undone which a nice garage fixed for just 5.

After that this past January my brakes went since they were so worn which i had replaced for 295. They are now causing problems again after 10 months and making the worst noise ever. Then comes the timing belt. The car decided to shut off on the highway out of nowhere. I had to have it towed to the dealership of course according to my garbage warranty from First Extended Service Corp. On the phone, the dealership said it sounded like the timing belt so they would start there. I called the warranty company, they said it would be covered so I was very excited. The dealership calls the next day and says its not that, its the crank sensor which is not covered so I have to pay 100 plus the overnight fee. While fixing the crank sensor, they call and say the timing belt is after all bad and needs replaced which is gonna be altogther 390 because they said the warranty ppl wont cover it. They told me i should have had the belt changed at 60,000 so its my fault. I bought the car from them at 65,000 so why didnt they change it before selling it to me? So after all the arguing with everyone, the warranty paid for the belt and labor so I ended up paying just the crank sensor and mail fee for 156.00. Oddly enough someone with the same exact year make and model was there with the same exact problem.

Now when the summer came, the A/C broke. Its still broke because I cant afford more car work right this second while raising two kids alone. When i turn on the A/C it screeches and rattles and the steering wheel freezes so I cant turn. So last month, my car completely died again, the battery light was on so I had the battery replaced for 90. That didnt work because it was the alternator instead which killed the battery. I ordered the alternator and had it put in myself to avoid the dealership so I ended up with just 212 plus 50 to the friend who changed it out. The power steering fluid is pouring out of the thing. I have to refill it every other day and when i turn it sounds awful. Im sure it just needs a new hose on top of all the other things it needs. Now finally, the transmission is slipping. I have an appointment tomorrow morning and I have no idea how much this is going to cost which Im sure its going to need a whole new transmission since this car has not been good to me and thats my luck. The oil is also leaking but like everything else, I cant afford to have it fixed right this second. The speakers only work on the drivers side too. This car is the worst thing ive ever seen. Did i mention the drivers side mirror fell off? I apparently have to also buy that whole piece too to replace it. It just fell off!

Thomas of Utica, NY October 7, 2009

The timing belt broke at 82,000 miles and KIA does not want to cover this under my 10 yr 100,000 warranty.

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