KIA Motors reviews and complaints 1
View all 1646 complaintsKIA Motors - Lack of information about car when agreeing a lease
I have leased 5 cars from Gerald Kia over the last 6/7 years (one for myself each time and then my wife). So I consider myself a loyal customer. In the summer of 2019 I started my latest lease and was sold the KIA Stinger 2019 GT1. I previously had the Sorento V6 and although I said I didnt want to pay anymore money per month, I was convinced to increase my payment by $70 per month (total of over $600 per month) for the Stinger on a 4 year lease. I also changed my wife's lease the same week and increased her payment each month. Both cars are in my name. As usual, I was told about all of the things that I would be liable for if something went wrong, the company policy for this, that etc. I was there for 3 hours each time. Fine! That is to be expected sometimes. No problem.
However, within that 3 hour period, not one person told me that the KIA Stinger 2019 i was agreeing to lease for 4 years, in the middle of Illinois that has some of the worst winters in the US, had 19" SUMMER TIRES! Quite happy to convince me that the AWD was great for winter - but with those tyres, absolutely pointless.
4 weeks ago I drove the car in the first snow and was excited to try out the AWD. It was one of the most dangerous driving experiences I have ever had. Awful breaking, even at 10mph. The back of the car swinging out onto the other side of the road... it was extremely dangerous. I was going to pick up my 2 children but no way was i allowing them to be in it. I initially thought there must be a problem with the AWD so i researched online and all i saw was great reviews of how great the AWD Stinger is in the snow. Then I saw someone say 'Make sure you don't have summer tires as these should not be used in the winter!'
So I called Gerald Kia to ask them. Left a message with reception, no-one called back for 2 days. So I called again and spoke to the person who sold me the car who then confirmed 'sheepishly' that I had summer tires on my Stinger. I explained that I was never told that the car had summer tires as all of my other KIA's had all-weather and I would never had agreed to purchase the car had I known - as it is too dangerous and I have 2 young children and we have potentially 5 months of snow in Illinois per year, meaning 5 months where I can't drive it! I also use the car for visiting clients and I simply can't use it.
I was told that there was nothing they could do (a potential discount for ME buying NEW TIRES) but would call me back. I have not received a single call back since that conversation and more snow is due.
To summarize, I have a $610 per month car that I can't drive if there is ice or snow on the road and I live in a location that the conditions are like that for 5 months of the year. I use the car to transport my children, myself and use it for visiting clients for my job. I was never told this by the salesperson and have the car for over 3 more years and since complaining to the dealership that act like your best friend when choosing a car, I have not had a single call back. I am sure you can understand my frustration.
Please help me resolve this issue.
Best Wishes,
William Holloway
1229 Basswood Dr
Naperville
IL
60540
Tel - [protected]
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