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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.

Jack of Warwick, RI April 6, 2008

Jack of Warwick RI (04/06/08)
The engine blew in the car and the warranty was for 10 years or 100,000 miles. The car is at 98000.00 miles and they said the warranty wouldn't cover it because we didn't change the timing belt at 60,000 miles. We were not aware that we had to change the timing belt if there was no issue with the timing belt. They also told us that the timing belt is in great condition so that was not the reason that the engine blew. We never received anything in writing stating why the claim was denied.

I have been without a car and renting cars and I just had to buy another car and they would not take this car as a trade. I still owe the loan on the prior car and now I am stuck with 2 loans and one car doesn't work.

Lalanya of Jacksonville, NC March 15, 2008

Lalanya of Jacksonville NC (03/15/08)
We bought our 2005 Kia Sorento in May of 2005 with only 21 miles on it. Within the first year the transmission had to be replaced two time and the shifting (manual transmisson) was not the same after the second time they put a transmission in it. I took it back 2 or 3 times and told them that there was something wrong with the shifting and was told each time that there was nothing wrong. I let it go because there was nothing I could do.

So from May of 2005 to now (March 2008) here is the list of things that have gone wrong with this vehicle. Replaced two transmissions, new battery (left me stranded 4 times...took it to Kia who said nothing was wrong with it), replaced the head light on the drivers side twice now, the dome light work every once in awhile, the drivers side speaker goes out several time a month, have had to replace the horn, still waiting to have the float in the gas tank replaced because about the time the gas gauge hits a hair under a quarter tank the gauge arm drops and says I'm on empty, the back drivers side door opens so hard like it is rusted shut and now last week I had to have the clutch plate replaced (280 part).

I called Kia from the place where I ended up when the clutch went out and aksed if the clutch was under waranty and was told that the clutch and all its working parts only had a 12 thousand mile/12 month waranty. I was then told that he could get a tow truck to me for 66 but it wouldn't be able to get me for 45 minutes or so. I asked him if I was going to get a loaner car because all we have is the Kia and a Motor cycle and I have a job and kids I need a running vehicle for. I was told We don't do loaner cars, sorry!

I Looked in my rear view mirror and seen three tow trucks and a repair shop behind me so I walked over there and asked if they could tow me to the Kia dealer. They told me yes for 55 but asked what the problem was. I told them it was the clutch. They asked if it was under waranty and I said no. They said they could save me money on labor and would come across the street and move the Kia for nothing. At this point after so may bad experiences with Kia I said ok. This home town auto repair shop told me what they thought the problem was and called me later that day and told me they had been wrong and would not be charging me for the work because they had misdiagnosed the clutch.

They told me what the problem was and I would have had it back the same day except that I had to go order the clutch assembly from KIA...you can't get parts from anyone BUT Kia. They did get it overnighted to me, for a 16 fee (on top of the 280 for the part). When I got the Kia back from this home town repair shop, the mechanic told me this...I have been doing this (being a mechanic) for a few Decades and I can't prove it but I beleive when Kia put your last transmission in they damaged the clutch plate. The mechanic gave me the old parts and showed me (not that it wasn't obvious) the damage to the clutch plate. He also said that the rest of the clutches working parts looked almost new.

We went with the Kia because of the GREAT WARANTY AND GREAT SERVICE WE WERE PROMISED. NONE of which has been true!!!! We have had nothing but problems with the Kia and their Great Customer Service SUCKS!!!! I am disgusted with this company and everything they Pretend to stand for. It's nothing but LIES!!!! Guess we should have went with our first instinct and gotten the Saturn, GM rarely lets you down!!!! If I could go back and make them take the Kia back I would GLADLY take back my 1999 Pontiac Grand Prix!!!!

Lynn of Georgetown, TX March 11, 2008

Lynn of Georgetown TX (03/11/08)
After less than 5 months of purchasing the KIA Sportage 05 the would turn off as I was driving it. When I am at a stop or slowing to a stop the sportage will turn off. I've had the car repaired 3 times within a total of 30 days and they have replace the same part.

Amanda of Caddo Mills, TX March 11, 2008

Amanda of Caddo Mills TX (03/11/08)
We went there because are transmision went out they had put us another one in there but they did it so fast that because they were so worried about there score card that they did not put enough transmosion fluis in it i got home and the transmision was so hot . It was smoking out of the dip stick. I took it back and told that i need a new transmision they said that they will not replace it they were so rude to us . They treated us like we were so stupied . They said that it is are problem because they forgot to put in the fluid . I will never go back to that place again.

Mike of Markleysburg, PA March 8, 2008

Mike of Markleysburg PA (03/08/08)
i have a 2001 kia sportage and gas tank is leaking

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