KIA Motors review: Service received from Darcars Lanham Kia

February 22, 2026
Events that occurred with Kia Lanham, MD is pure frustration on how I have been treated as a consumer who has limited funds and NO time for substandard work. Below are the events that have transpired during this car repair journey:
1. Car towed in for service Monday, 2/2/2026, at 11:10 for scheduled appt.
a. Explained to Jamaiya that a new battery was installed that Saturday (1/31) and then the vehicle stopped working, the power steering symbol was visible on the dashboard and I had to be towed home.
b. Jamaiya stated that I would need and diagnostic test costing $299.00, and I would be notified of the findings. No time period was given when asked how long this might take. (I was prepared to stay and wait). Jamaiya then stated that testing would not happen today. Added that the tech would have to read the findings and someone would be in touch, no time frame was provided.
2. No call from Kia Tuesday 2/3/2026.
3. No call from Kia Wednesday 2/4/2026.
a. I called at 11am and spoke to Jamaiya who stated that I should call back Thursday around 10am.
4. Called the Kia service dept and spoke with Jamaiya on Thursday 2/5/2026. Jamiaya stated that the alternator would need to be replaced, cost $1800.88.
5. Called and told the car would be ready for pick car up on Friday, 2/6/2026
a. Bill paid and car released around 12:15 pm. Mr. Steven Williams stated that the battery was charged all night and it is reading at 100%. Mr. Steven Williams stated that there should be no issues since the battery was at full capacity.
b. Well, breaking down again in the turning lane on Greenbelt Road and Lanham Severn Road was and still is annoying and was very stressful since I had just pick up my car from the Kia service department, an hour earlier. Being stuck in rush hour traffic waiting for a tow, for 45 minutes in 25-degree weather with NO heat since the car would not start, should not have happened.
c. Towed again to the Kia Lanham Service dept.
d. Spoke to Mr. Steven Williams who assured me that I would be made whole.
e. Mr. Steven Williams called and stated that the battery was faulty and I would need a new battery and recommended a factory battery cost $302.74.
i. Again, approved yet another expense, really. Told that the battery I had purchased the previous Saturday, Die Hard Platinum, was faulty, dead cells.
ii. Drove my vehicle home Friday, 2/6/2026, evening and parked. Started the vehicle on Saturday and it started up fine, didn’t move the vehicle just wanted to make sure it would start. When I went to start the vehicle on Sunday, nothing dead again.
6. The car was towed to back to Kia service dept again, 2/9/2026.
a. The issue now wiring assy-battery cost $473.00
b. Part would need to be ordered once cost approved, car might be available on Thursday
c. Why wasn’t the wiring assy-battery observed during the initial during the inspection?
7. Picked my car up 2/I3/2026. Finally, my car appears to be driving fine. However, I can no longer use my auto starter which I had put in the vehicle the same year I purchased the vehicle.
8. On Saturday, I attempted to return the battery I purchased from Standard Auto Parts.
a. The battery was no accepted, the manager tested the battery and stated it was fully changed. Battery cost $306.30
I shared my frustration with my family, friends and anybody who would listen regarding my experience with Kia Lanham. Call received from Ivory of Kia Cust Service Representative, on 2/11/2026, to discuss what had occurred with the service received from the Kia Service Dept. Ivory stated that she would call me back and I should expect an email that Thursday. On 2/13/2026, I did not hear from Ivory, I called [protected] and left a voice mail in her inbox. A coworker stated she was not working that Friday. On 2/18/2026, called Ivory back since I had not received a return call. Ivory first placed me on hold then stated that team had not responded back and that the manager Steve had not responded to the email. Ivory then suggested calling the Kia service manager and having a 3-way conversation. When asked why, Ivory could not establish why this would be necessary.
I brought my vehicle in on good faith with the anticipation that the issue that I had complained about would have been addressed first. Why wasn’t the battery connection examined initially or when the factory battery was recommended. I feel that I have been taken advantage of and probably did not need a new alternator, my car is only 8 years old. I am stuck with a battery that I cannot return. I am curious, have there been any recall on alternators for the Optimum or have other customers complained that alternators have been replaced in less than 10 years, my car is only 8 years old. Another concern, while my car was there NONE of the recalls were addressed, and there are a few.
Not sure if this is typical, but I am at a point of frustration and so very annoyed. It is difficult not feel taken advantage of during this car repair experience. The expense that I have incurred during this experience is questionable and I need to be made whole. The events that transpired during this process is not normal and I have not ever been treated in such a way, very disrespectful and makes me wonder if the service claimed to be provided was actually provided.

Second Email sent 2/23/2026