Kia Motors Kia? Never again another Kia!! Durban Other

It is with great frustration that I write this correspondence. In 2005, 20th July to be exact, I became the owner of a Kia Rio 1.5.

Within the fist two months of having the brand new car, the rubber lining around the back door became stretched and therefore the door could not close properly and whenever it rained water would become a problem. The car had only done approx 10 000 kms and I phoned the Durban dealership and explained the problem. I was told to wait until the first 15 000 km service and then it will be attended too.

At the first service I had made sure to mention this problem. The service being done, I was told I needed new brakes as my brakes were completely shot this amazed me, however we paid for new brakes and we were informed that it was due to the fact that brake pads are now softer and also that the car is an automatic I must just add that I have had several automatic cars before and my husband drives a German model automatic car and never have we had to replace brakes at 15 000 kms!

As I drove the car out of the service lot, I realised that the rubber lining had not been fixed and I went back to enquire. I was told that Kia do not keep spares in SA and therefore the lining would have to be ordered from Korea and would take up to 3 weeks. Please note that this was not conveyed to me before I drove out of the dealership. I was shocked at the fact that a simple part such as a rubber lining could not be found in South Africa.

Three weeks later the lining arrived and the car was taken back. It was fixed, only to come undone again a few weeks later, this time I took the car to a local panel beater in the area who fixed it as it should have been. My experience in general with the Durban dealership was shocking and I vowed never to go back!!

The saga continue..Close to my 30 000 km service, I started experiencing a rattling/thudding noise on the left hand side of my car, in particular when one goes over bumps and even on the steering wheel. I suspected it could be shocks or suspension. Due to my previous experience with the Durban dealership I had decided to take my Kia to the Pinetown branch for the service. I specifically reported my concern regarding the noise. It is recorded on the job card. It actually says Check knocking noise from front suspension. Of course again we had to replace brake pads!! When I went to fetch the car I asked about the noise and I was told that nothing was found to be wrong and that these cars are just a bit noisy!.

The problem escalated and the noise became increasingly bad. At 40 000kms I once again phoned (I went back to the Durban dealership despite my previous vow of never returning!) and I was told that I could not bring the car in as it was not at the 45 000 km service!!!

Finally I got an appointment to bring the car in on the 29th July 2008, at this time the car was on approx 44 000kms . Again I mentioned about the noise. The consultant asked me if it was necessary to drive the car to hear the noise !!!!??? I was called later in the day to be informed that I needed new brake pads (surprise surprise!) as well as brake discs. I asked if they had found the problem with the noise and was told that they had not as yet taken the car out for a drive. We were called at approximately 4pm that afternoon to be told the car was ready. Nothing was aid about the noise.

When we got to the dealership, I then asked about the noise I was then told that yes in fact the noise was due to the fact that the shocks and saddles had to be replaced. Again the parts had to be ordered from Korea and could take upto 3wks. I asked if this was covered by the warranty and was told under normal circumstances yes, but not in mine as it was the 29th of July 2008 and my warranty had expired 9 days ago. I could not believe what I heard. Fortunately I had taken my previous service invoice with where it stated that I had complained about it. I was then told that they would email the warranty dept of Kia and try and get me some discount as a goodwill gesture.

On the 7th of August 2008, we called Mr Kevin PIllay (ofcourse they never called us back as promised) and we were told that Kia are prepared to pay 50% of the expenses as a gesture of goodwill and that the parts had been ordered that very day.

This is unacceptable as the car was still under its full warranty period on the 25th June 2007 when I first complained about it. Mt Pillay then suggested that I try and get the additional 50% out of the Pinetown dealership. Why should the onus fall on me as the customer? Ironically enough we were contacted on Wednesday to say the parts had arrived

I have found the service of Kia shocking, unacceptable and obviously their parts are of inferior quality.

For a company that quotes the following on their website:
This has been achieved with the dedicated efforts from everyone in the KIA Motors family during the past eight years and we are now bearing fruit as KIA Motors Corporation has become a respected player in the global automotive industry with the distinction of being one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the world today This statement is a farce.

I can not wait to get rid of my Kia, unfortunately it will then become a fellow citizens burden!

Watermeyer
durban
South Africa

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