2008 Kia Sorento Limited
Summary:
Would not recommend that you buy one
Faults:
Issues with the 'Passenger Airbag'
Issues with an 02 sensor in the engine. Took more than 4 trips to the dealer, along with a multitude of hours of work to resolve this particular issue.
Transmission that acts up when you reach a certain speed.
Occasions when the car hesitates as if it is being starved for fuel.
Issues with incidentals on the inside of the car (e.g. plastics that broke within the first weeks of ownership, kickplates that do not stay put, fabric on seats wearing in a vehicle that we have owned for only 12 months, and rarely have anyone in the back seat).
Check engine light seems to go off on a weekly basis since the car reached about 35,000 KM. KIA service staff suggested that I take the gas cap off and then put it back on until I hear it click?? Yah, okay...
General Comments:
This is my first and last KIA. I purchased this vehicle in October 2008, and it is nothing but a maintenance nightmare. As soon as we hit 35,000 km, we have repeatedly been in the shop for one thing after another. Additionally, the cost of regular maintenance (e.g. oil changes, etc..) far exceeds any other dealer. I have been unable to utilize the services of businesses like Mr. Lube, because they have been unable to access the filters for this particular vehicle, so as a consumer, there is no choice but to go to the dealer.
As for the hours the service Dept is open, if you work for a living, expect to have to take time off work to get anything done. The Service Dept at the dealership I am forced to go to almost never answers their telephone. Instead, it goes to an answering machine with a message that tells you they will return your call within the hour. I have yet to have them return my call on the same day, or at all. Very unhappy with the service aspect of KIA Canada, and for this reason would never purchase or recommend a KIA.
My last new car was a Honda, and in hindsight, I should have bought another one, because the KIA has cost way more in service work than a Honda ever will.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know
Review Date: 14th November, 2009
16th Apr 2010, 14:14
Key word is dealership. There are good dealerships and bad dealerships in all makes of cars. If you are lucky you get a good one and get good service. The other 90% of the time you have to spend your time and money fighting for what you have paid for.
1st Aug 2010, 12:40
Very good point being made about how sometimes a car may be cheaper, but if you have it in the shop too much, it can cost more in the end (rental fees, co-payment on extended warranty work, lost work hours, or just plain headache). Granted that reliability is just a dice roll -- there are individuals out there with unreliable 90's Camry's and Accords, and people with rock solid Altima 2.5s. You can only look at the approximate likelihood of something.
There are a number of recent vehicles that will trigger an engine light if the gas cap is not fitted properly. Some vehicles seem to be more sensitive than others.
16th Nov 2009, 12:26
You make a very good point about the cost of service.
You may pay a little more for some cars, but pay less for service, or in the case of some premium brands - get free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years.
My wife & I both own Saabs (a 9-3 and a 9-7x) and they both came with free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years 36,000 miles. What's more, my wife's 2006 9-7x was in for service last week, and the battery tested low and the dealership replaced the battery under warranty. That to me is great service as we live in the Northeast and had the dealer not tested the battery, no doubt one winter day my wife would have found her battery dead.
My point is to buy a vehicle from a manufacturer who takes care of their customers after the sale is made, rather than simply shopping price and getting stuck with terrible service. The longest warranty in the world is not worth the paper they are written on if the manufacturer does not honor the warranty. Far too many companies make excuses as to why a particular defect isn't covered under warranty usually making lame excuses or blaming the customers "driving habits". If that ever happened to me, the first call I would make is to my state Attorney General's office, as these manufacturers that operate in this manner need to be held accountable for their poor business practices.
Personally, my worst experience regarding customer service was with Chrysler Corporation - I do not think I will ever buy another vehicle made by Chrysler after that experience.
In my opinion Chrysler did not deserve a dime of bailout money. But that is just my opinion.