KIA Motors
reviews and complaints

I have a 2014 KIA Sorento that has paint chips all over it. I even have some on the roof. I took it back to the dealer and they are saying it is paint chips. I am wondering how you get paint chips on the roof? The dealer did paint the hood for me as that was really bad over 50+ chips. The hood seems to be holding up much better then the factory paint job. Because of this it is safe to say that KIA does have a paint issue going on and needs to take responsibility for it. I took my SUV to a none bias auto repair shop. They stated the paint is water base paint and is painted on very thin. For this reason the paint will easily chip and fade. So far KIA is not taking responsibility for this but the dealers are trying to help some. But only if you have a fairly new vehicle and are considered a good customer. I do appreciate what the dealer did but feel that KIA needs to do a Recall and correct the paint issue on all KIA vehicles. I have attached pictures. The pink dots is the location of the chips that I could find easily in a 30 minute time frame.

Good Day

I’ll start from the beginning to give you an overview of the trouble I’ve experienced
from day 1 after I purchased a brand new Kia 1.6 EX Cerato Hatchback with Kia Motors Cape Town.

After sales with this branch was completely putrid for lack of a better word. I have the
e-mails to prove it. They didn’t know their products; how the car works; I had to keep
calling after them. Getting no feedback or any form of contact unless I made a noise.
I waited almost 2 months for my Satnav manual and other stuff that needed to be added.
And because I kept e-mailing them to a point where I was so upset. The Sales agent who
sold me the car – Neo Sebape and His Manager Grant Fredericks called me a child and
threatened me in writing that they would report me to the police for harassment. I then
took this further.

See attached mails pertaining to interaction with Kia Cape Town and Fiona Mtshali –
the Customer Care Manager JHB – she also called me during this time, and I have
included her in my current mails of my other complaints. You will see the correspondence
with myself and the Cape Town Branch Manager – Ghaziem Enous.

All I can say is Pathetic doesn’t even cut it.

I then contacted JC at your Tygervalley branch as I wanted to change branches
due to the putrid service I received with the Cape Town Branch. Hoping that
things would change.

Little did I know it would continue….

On the 17th/10/2014 I took my car into Kia Stikland Service Branch to check for a
noise that was not there before. I was not sure where it was coming from and
was concerned as the car is significantly quiet - stationary and while driving.

I was very impressed with their welcome and how they booked my car in.
The agent said they would be in contact. I booked my car in before 8:00 am on the
17/10/14. At 12:15pm the agent contacted me to inform me that my car was taken
in for inspection. He said he would be in contact with me later the afternoon regarding
the findings.

I reside in Rondebosch East and made a consertive effort to drive my car all the way
to stikland which is quite a distance. Just so that I did not have to deal with cape town
branch and because tokai branch did not have an opening for me soonest.

By 16:15 on the 17/10/14 I kept calling stikland service branch to get hold of the agent
(Brendan/Brandon) as I had provided both my mobile and home number when I booked
my car in. The switchboard kept telling me the agent was busy and would get back to me.
I asked what time they closed, I was informed @ 17:30. Bearing in mind that I needed to
travel from Rondebosch East to Stikland to get my car. The agent eventually calls me on
my landline saying he could not get through to me on my mobile – so why didn’t he try my
landline then?

He then informed me there’s nothing wrong with the car but my tyres are feathered.
I was not happy it was a brand new 6 month old car! When I asked him when I can come
get my car and that I did inform him the morning that I reside in rondebosch east he
sounded puzzled, but the details were on the booking form. He then politely said well
we closing @ 17:30 so you can get your car tomorrow between 9am and 12pm.
Never mind that I had plans that evening, his tone was that he was not interested.
I went off at him…..

I then called JC telling him what had happened. He then had Roy call me. Roy
apologised but the damage had already been done and my nightmare of Kia’s service
was starting all over again despite me changing branches. I also wanted to know how a
Brand new 6 month old car could have feathered tyres? I wanted my car, I wanted
an explanation I wanted it fixed. Roy then explained but I was not happy as it wasn’t
logic in terms of the tyres after 6 months to be feathered? Really? This happens after
3-4 years if the tyres are of a good quality. Roy couldn’t really do anything and
eventually offered to come in @8:00am the next day Saturday 18/10/14 as I was livid
and needed my car. The next day I went to fetch my car and he explained the
feathering again. And again my argument is:

Feathering starts after 3-4 years not after 6 months for a SUPPOSEDLY BRAND NEW CAR.

Roy then assisted me in taking pictures and dealing with the manufacturer
who came back with the mailer –
subject - RE: NOT HAPPY !: NEXEN TYRES - CA824613 (attached).

I am really upset and am seriously thinking of trading in my car. I cannot deal with
Kia and all that has happened in a space of 6 months.

The tyres are of an inferior quality, that is bottom line. And I want the problem
fixed as this is Kia’s / the Manufacturer and whoever installed the damn tyres!

I am now driving a 6 month old brand new car that sounds like its broken it
makes a very loud for lack of a better word “whoop whoop” and more sound.
Which was not the case when I purchased the car. I have to drive with the
music loud just to avoid the sound!. And if someone drives in my car they
ask me if the shocks are worn or the wheel bearings!

I am not happy and want a solution to my problem as soon as possible.

I have also logged this with CPA, my references are :

Ticket: REF#[134223]
Ticket: REF#[134216]
Ticket: REF#[134234]
Ticket: REF#[134244]
Ticket: REF#[134271]

I look forward to your reply and feedback from yourself, JC & Fiona.

Roy was the only one who had the decency to mail me back even
though he knew right now that Kia is in the line of fire and I am not a
Happy Customer once again!

Kia Sucks dont ever buy their cars, according to them they sell you a car with the tyres separately. Even though you buy a whole car. Any reputable car dealership like Audi, Mercedes or even VW would not treat first time customers like this. CAll Kia SA and they point blank refuse to help you. You have to go to the Ombudsman as for as they concerned. Useless useless company Kia is!

VERY DISAPPOINTED.

I bought a new Kia Rio Tec in May 2014. The reason for my purchase was that I wanted better fuel consumption. I drove a 2L Honda Accord then. I was told that the Rio would give me consumption of between 6 and 7 litres per 100 km. I am a Broker and drive around a lot. In Town I battle to get 450km from the 45 litre tank. My wife also made enquiries and brochures was send to her indicating the consumption. We also had adds on our local radio station that implied how light the Kia Rio is on Fuel. This is not the case and I think it is false advertising and I also think that I was misled when I asked about the fuel consumption. My vehicle was in the workshop 3 times and nothing changed. The salesman tells me that it is not supposed to be so heavy on fuel. The last time when the vehicle was in the workshop, I got stats on Fuel consumption from the Workshop, but this was not given to me when I bought the vehicle. I am upset, because in my eyes The Accord was a much better car, but I needed better fuel consumption and that is not happening now. Many emails was sent and I complained from the beginning, but my problem is not solved. I want Kia to take this vehicle back and refund my deposit based on the fact that the wrong information was given to me.

Dear board of KIA
I am writing this email to complain about the service of KIA Motors Egypt. Unfortunately my wife had a terrible accident three weeks ago with her KIA RIO car on the high way. The car was in a real loss. I went to KIA maintenance centre they told me that the car needs a roof (with sliding sun roof) and a drip molding and other spare parts. They also told me that I have to wait from 25 to 55 days to receive such spare parts. Is it something normal for a KIA Customer to wait such long period of time to get his car fixed after an accident? I am suffering without a car. This is my first time to buy a car from KIA, but unfortunately because of this situation and this delay from the KIA maintenance center in Egypt I started to regret buying such a car. I am really sorry to bother you but I just wanted you to know that one of your customers is suffering. Hope to receive an email from you and thanks for being considerate.

Dear Kia;
this is mohanad Kasmi/ Kia sorento Chassis No.knku8112c5195882, , after 2 months of back and forth, from the submission date of the complaint, finally with thanks Juma Al majid EST SERVICE Department, solved the problem.
but they surprised me with new news after they finish that the car now is out of the warranty. and after researching and long time contacting all employees and managers, we had this results:
the car model is 2012 but the shipping date is [protected] and the warranty start from this shipping date or registration or (He is not sure?) and the car sold out in Oman, and I came with the first owner At 5th -12 -2013, to Juma Al majid Ras Al khor, and they showed me complete registration on the system with less than 1000 km mileage. and they said I have 3 years warranty .
Dear please i need to know why all this happened with this car. and is this normal to act like this with your customer ?
And is it normal after I register the car under my name, still the system shown the first owner name and he did the service? and they inssecet there is no conflict in there system or data in.
Dear I told you before I spend to much time contacting the kia employees sense i bought this car and I had enough from this way of behaviour // call me back and remind me//.and //what can I do?/ this is the policy//
Summary :
I bought this car less than 1000 km and the fist service done in Al majid EST SERVICE Department/ Dubai first of12 -2013 // its less than one year and Kia employee was happy when he told me the warranty expired.

I am beyond appalled at the way I've been treated by KIA Motors Cape
Town. I have tried my best to solve this amicably but it seems their
lack of professionalism, care and inefficiency shall make it not so. In
short - I purchased a brand new top of the range KIA Rio for R233, 000 on
18 September. The car was faulty from day one. On my drive home it
juddered and jerked. I returned it to KIA. They had a look and couldn't
find anything wrong. A day later it got worse. KIA took the vehicle back
for 5 days to run tests. They admitted there was something wrong, but
said it was due to the transmission fluid being low. They topped up the
fluid (which surely should've been checked prior to delivery?)and
returned the vehicle to me. I remained patient and co-operative.
However, the car was worse than ever, juddering and jerking, under
powered. I returned the car yet again, for the 3rd time, on Thursday 2
Oct. This time I told them it was unacceptable - for a brand new car to
be so defective. They agreed and acknowledged there was a problem with
the vehicle, in front of witnesses. I had given them a chance to repair,
but they couldn't do that. So now I wanted a replacement or a refund. I
certainly did not want this defective car anymore. I was assured by the
managers there that they would deal with this as a priority, and in
their words - "it's man made after all, 1 in a 1000 go wrong" - they
gave me an inferior model as a loan vehicle. 6 days later and no word.
They do not return my calls. They still have the vehicle - which I have
told them I no longer want. I know my rights under the CPA. They never
call me, most of the time I phone them no one is there - they're either
at funerals, training courses or on leave. When I do get to speak to
Grant, Gaz or Garth they assure me they'll get back to me - they never
do. This is unacceptable. An appalling level of very bad service. I've
directed many TV commercials for KIA over the years, and was always
impressed with the vehicles and decided to honour the brand I had done
work for. I cannot actually believe that I am now resorting to having to
post messages like this - which is wasting even more of my time. But
the fact remains I bought a faulty vehicle from KIA, they took it back 6
days ago and have not informed me of a single thing since. Well, they
may remain quiet - but I won't.

A new kia mohave was bought in December 2013. I lost my navigation system two ttimes since and yesterday after a drive of 30 kilometres of a mountain of [protected] above sea level has spoiled the 4x4 and abs. And the response from kia oman service is very quiet and will replace it when they get the spares next week. My anxiety here is for four wheel new drive of this nature, how can it happen and I am being a kia user for the last five years, I am very unhappy with this new vehicle at this cost when my kia sportage was exchanged for this vehicle by paying a good amount. Can kia management come back on this and compensate .
Thanks to respond to my above complaint.

Beginning of May hit a pot hole with my 2014 Kia Cadenza, tire immediately flat and stranded on side of road. Kia Road Side Assistance called and sat there back and forth on a main road for 2.5 hrs with no one ever showing up. Called over and over, couldn't find me, called South Point itself no help at all and no follow up never made, left stranded and finally found someone to help. Incompetent people--I was on a main road! In July get a paper recalling wheels on 2014 Kia Cadenza warning not to hit pot holes or anything hard as the wheel may separate from tire, but if you have had an issue will pay for repairs. So I bring car in for recall and my bill of $155 from repair of wheel and when picked up am told I have a bent tye rod from hitting pothole. They refuse to cover! My question is if wheel had held up as it should would tye rod have bent? I will never bye a Kia again, the Customer Service is horrible starting with the road side assistance! I spoke with service manager last Monday 7/21 and said someone from customer service in Kia would contact me, here a week later no response, called South Point service manager again and asked to have someone call me immediately! We will see but all I know is owned Ford and Nissan in past in NY where there are pot holes that swallow your car and never caused damage to my wheels!

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am the owner of your KIA Sportage and personal and car details are as follows:-
Name : Mr. Gan Wee Teck
Contact No : [protected]
Email : [protected]@gmail.com
Model of Vehicle : KIA Sportage
VIN No : KNAPC811SC7267472
Date of Purchase : 27/3/2012
Engine No : GUKDBS218616

I have encounter a problem with my air cond and I have delivered my vehicle to Kia Service Centre on 13/6/2014 located at Batu Pahat knowns as Shen Membaiki Kereta. I have been told by the service centre that the air cond compressor is no more functioning and they need to submit a report to KIA HQ in order to proceed further to the Warranty Dept for the Spare Parts claim. They have taken photos and I have been told that they have submitted a report to KIA HQ.

Within 2 weeks I made few calls to Shen Membaiki Kereta so as to get the update of of claim status and I have been told again and again that there is still no reply from KIA HQ. Finally they provided me a contact no. of KIA HQ of [protected] and I tried to call this no. again and again but none of them answer the phone calls just kept telling me the line is busy and person to serve still not available and so on.

After a week of calls to KIA HQ and still no one answer the calls and I have lost my patience and I made a call directly to Korea Seoul KIA Motors Corp at +[protected] and they were very polite and efficient that answered my call immediately and they recorded down my contact no. and I have been told that KIA Korea will make a contact with KIA Malaysia so as to ask KIA Malaysia to contact me.

Nevertheless, I have not received any call from KIA Malaysia and I today I made another call to KIA Korea and they provided me another no.+[protected] and I made a call immediately and I have been given this email [protected]@kiakl.com.my and I have been told that this the contact for KIA Asia Office and I write this email to you as I have been told that you can assist me in this matter.

Before I write this email, I tried to call KIA Malaysia at [protected] and I have been told that the line is under maintenance and ask me to call [protected] and I did it then a lady named Atika answered my call and I have been told that Shen Membaiki Kereta did submit their report on 13/6/14 but it took 17 days for KIA Malaysia to verify the report in order them to proceed further to another dept.

I have no idea that how long will it be taken for KIA Malaysia to handle this claim and I personally feel that KIA Malaysia is playing a soccer with their customer and there is never be a firm answer from KIA Malaysia for such a small matter. What I need to know is only Yes or No, if Yes then How long? If No, then I will find outside service centre to replace the new air cond compressor at my own cost. But the problem is with such a hot temperature condition in Malaysia and KIA Malaysia has taken such a long time to verify my claim and I can do nothing just waiting for the reply from KIA Malaysia, it has caused a very big inconvenience for me in my daily living cause I cannot travel with long distance and I cannot fetch my little child for school and so on.

The slow action from KIA Malaysia for such a small matter has caused a big disaster in my daily living and I really from the deep of my heart disappointed with the after sales services of KIA Malaysia as they reply slow, never answer the call and never can provide you a firm answer for such a smalll matter. I personally feel that NAZA Kia is not eligible and not qualified to become the KIA Dealer in Malaysia for such a poor services provided by the corporate. This will ever tarnish the name of KIA in Malaysia.

If this small issue cannot be resolved by KIA Malaysia then I personally think that this is the first time and also the last time I consume the KIA product in Malaysia and there is no value after sales service at all for such corporate practice from KIA Malaysia.I hope this email will do a little help in claim that I have made to KIA Malaysia if it doesn't help I will also accept as I have already expected no hope or hopeless from KIA Malaysia for such a corporate practice.Thank you for completing reading for such a long email and long complaint but I really write down this from the deep of my heart to show my dissatisfaction to KIA Malaysia.

TQ.

I own a 2004.5 kia spectra, i have incurred out of pocket money expenses which has created a financial hard ship for me.I have documented by kia .com the issues parts. that are defective, money spent, the total amount.I also have a complant against quirk kia lying to fed bbb auto line who i filled a compliant with, they also lied to consumer alliance who i filed a compliant with.I b ought the car at quirk kia. in june 04. They had my address which is the same, my full name, phone # lied and said they had no info in the computer, never had any services done at quirk kia, all lies, lies to they agency, owed money well over $850.I have technical bulletins past ones that i was never notified about and never fixed, more defective parts, thats what t s b is and the dealer is supposed to notify u fix parts free of charge, just lie and make excuses.The fed bbb has my compliant, receipts, where, what parts needed replacement and the exact dollar amount.Im. very sick and need money owed for my care u ethan butler

If you choose to buy a Kia I strongly suggest that you use any finance company than Kia Motors Finance. My experience with them so far has left me with the opinion that they are the most incompetent company in America. Firstly it takes an average of 15 minutes on hold to get through to customer service when you call.

I'll explain my situation. We bought a 2014 Soul, financed through Kia Motors Finance. Our first payment was due on April 25, 2014. We received all our stuff in the mail from them and we setup the account online and paid our first payment on April 14, 2014. On May 5, 2014 we received another account created by them in the mail. They closed the first account they made for the Soul and sent us the full unencumbered title to the car. The new account shows no payments made and that my account is now 10 days past due! I called them about it. They said they would transfer the payment to the new account. It never happened. I called and called for days. I was told they sent me a check but the check has a stop payment on it because they are going to transfer the payment to my account electronically. OK. I got the check in the mail. I did not deposit it because they said they stopped payment. Now I call and wonder why my payment hasn't been applied to the new account they created. Nobody knows. They ask if I received the check. I tell the yes. They ask why I haven't cashed it. Ummmm...because you stopped payment on it. They say, no we didn't.. I'm like what do you mean you didn't? So they are like cash the check. I'm like screw you. I don't trust you fools. Put a stop payment on it and transfer it electronically. So they claim they did put a stop payment on it and are going to have it done by the end of the week. We will see. As of this writing, my payment made 11 days early is now showing as 24 days late. I'm getting really angry and frustrated because in a few days they will mess up my credit. I'm ready to get a lawyer. Bunch of idiots in my opinion.

I purchased a Kia Rio 1.2 Sedan from Toy Rabie. I am happy with the vehicle and I was happy with her eager service. She then sent me to finance department lady Madga van Oudshoorn to work out payment and sign the deal. I informed Magda that I wanted my first payment to be in 01 June 2014 therefore planned to make the final contract signing to be April 2014 or late March 2014. I left the dealership with this in mind. I received a call from Toy Rabie on a Saturday late February 2014 saying that after their meeting, the dealership had decided that I could come and fetch the car, sign in March 2014 and they would make the first payment which is 0 1 May 2014. I was happy to hear that and on the 03 March I arranged with Toy Rabie to pick me up in Hatfield and go to fetch the car at the dealership. I went to the dealership, signed off on the car with Magda and I was off happily.
On the 1 May 2014 the bank deducted the car payment. I sent the proof to Magda and Toy. I then reminded them that they had said the company would make the first payment. I was given the run around until the papers were sent to the manager for final approval. Its been 21days since the deduction and still no refund. I Ascalated the matter to the manager Christo who never gets back to me but promises me days of payments which never come through. Then I took the matter to Teresa in Head office but she also cant help as polite and lovely as she is.

I came into Kia West a couple months ago looking for a used car. I left the dealership 2 months later with no car. Here is my experience:

Gun was my salesman and he was accommodating and friendly throughout the entire experience. Initially wee found a car that suited my needs but there were transmission problems and I had to return the car. Kia West would not give me my money back at this point and claimed that I had to go through with a car exchange. Fair enough. They did provide me with a rental car for about a month and a half but the experience during this time can be described as anything but pleasant. I was called into see the sales department about twice a week to solve the problem and was left to wait for 2-3 hours at a time while they were doing business with other customers (mind you, after an appointment had been made in advance) and shown cars which were not anywhere near close to meeting my needs.

The main problem I had with Kia West was trust. I was shown a car by the salesman that apparently had no previous damages, but the finance manager told me that there were $9000 in damages. This is when I knew doing business with this company was not going to work.
After much wasted time, energy and inappropriate altercations on my part, I finally got my money back. However, they are still holding a $100 deposit which they took from me and are ignoring my emails which I have written to the company. I went to Pacific Honda on the North Shore and got a car, hassle free, in 1 day a week after my experience with Kia West.

I rarely write reviews but I feel as though every potential customer deserves to know the unprofessional and dishonest manner which I was subject to here at Kia West. Their code of conduct is extremely unsatisfactory and I personally do not recommend coming here at all.

Purchased a new Kia Sportage April 2012. Took car into dealer March 2014 because the plastic wind spoiler was cracked. Nothing hit the car perhaps it was the weather don't know. They said the car was 23 months old and I would have to pay almost $400 to have the part replaced, they said the part is metal and would have to be painted before the could install it. The car only has 4, 036 miles on it. This is ridiculous, I will never buy another Kia

I took my car to Kia of Vero Beach. I have been there before and all was fine. Service people were very rude. Mathew was his name and some other guy. It is hard to trust they did a good job on my car with such poor bed side manners. I will not ever go back. Do not take your car to Kia Service find a local mechanic.

I bought a new 2014 KIA Reo from the dealer in Cebu Philippines and the rear seat belt broke soon after. I took the car to the dealer and they removed the seat belt and said they would replace it soon. It has been about three months and it has not been replaced yet. I go to the dealer about once a week and they say it has not came in yet. I call them on the phone and they say they will check into it and call me back but they never call. Please, please sir can you help me, I have children that ride in the back and if anything ever happened to them I could never forgive my self. Thank you. Jocelyn Rollins
[protected]@yahoo.com

Bought a Kia picante in may 2012. Feb 2013 had a brake failure. Kia bleeded the brakes and gave my car back to me. May brake failure again. Waited till August to get a loan car. They replaced a part on braking system, Got my car back in Sept. Des 2, brake failure again. They cant find the problem with my brakes as its not doing it always only some times. My car got 30 000 on clock and already a shock had to be replaced. Don't feel safe in this car, what do I do now? WHO IS WILLING TO DRIVE A CAR WITH SO MANY BRAKE FAILURE ...NOT ME

I purchased my KIA Borrego from University of KIA in Durham off the lot in '09. I originally was interested in the same car at the Raleigh Dealership, but the salesmen never called me back with information on it.. So I did my research online and found the same make and model at a nearby dealership. I first inquired online at their website. When I went in to the dealership the next day to buy the car, the unprofessional internet salesman tried to capture the sale, I never spoke to him or had any email/internet conversation. The first person who helped got the sale, Lucky him. Wrote a check and never looked back. Well until recently, I was filling up my gas tank the when the gas spewed from the tank and doused me from head to toe. I couldn't believe what just happened. Now mind you occasionally the gas would burp out or sometimes spit back out. But this time was projectile fuel and really had me concerned for my safety. When I called University Kia of Durham Service department, to make an appointment to have this checked out the service manager mentioned that it was the way I was pumping gas.How insulting. I told him I drive several cars and not one of them did this. I told him it was NOT the way I was pumping gas that something is wrong with the gas tank. I took the car into University Of KIA of Durham and while I was dropping it off the Service manager, Chris, kept insisting I needed an Inspection. I was like, no, I one earlier in the year. But hey, it was the dealership, they OBVIOUSLY know what they're doing. I also mentioned that we will need to set another appointment for the seat recall. He said he may not have the materials as well. Good enough. Well I sat and waited, and waited and waited. Finally my KIA Borrego was ready. Gas Tank Gas evaporator is corroded and to have this fixed will cost $664. Just out of warranty. Of course. I asked if KIA can help me in anyway, that I didn't think I should be driving a brand new car and in just a few years have corroded parts on it and the Service Manager, Chris said no. Oh and they performed the recall (replacing the vinyl seat backs with carpet), even though I said=
I would make another appointment for that one. I paid for the oil change and state inspection. The next day I am trying to renew my license plates online and it won't go through. So I call the DMV and tell her that I had an inspection at the dealership requested and was trying to renew my plates. The gal at the DMV said you didn't need an inspection, that an inspection performed on 4/15/2013 and that the dealership had access to that information. Great so the dealership performed an unnecessary service. When I realized this I put a phone call into Mr. Temple the Head Service Manager on Friday last week and this week as of today Thursday he's not returned the call. I was hoping to resolve this before writing this review. KIA Corporate, KIA Customer Service/ Consumer affairs, KIA University of Durham has dissolved, more like destroyed, any confidence I have in the company. I was planning on trading my KIA Borrego in for a New loaded White Optima, but I will dump the Borrego and dump KIA.