9th Nov 2005, 15:52

I agree with the last person, don't let them trample you. However, even if you had spent six times as much and bought a brand new Honda, then missed one service or had it go over the scheduled kms, then nineteen months later the engine seizes without warning, the selling dealer tells you you are not covered by the warranty, and want almost half of what the cars worth to do the repairs. This can happen in a Merc. I think you must have not had it serviced, or there would be a way for you to prove you have.

To the turkey who says most people think Kias are crap and a waste of road space... yeah... then most people are ignorant and like you need to direct your negative attitude in the right place.

23rd Nov 2005, 08:22

Turkey here... in fact most UK customer surveys rank Kia very poorly, as do many people on this site.

16th Jan 2006, 21:44

I too had a 2002 kia rio, but mine was a cinco. My KIA "seized" at just under 65,000 miles. I followed the manufacturers suggested maintenance schedule, I even surpassed their suggestions! BTW, here in California, the warranty manual states that the maintenance schedule is suggested, but not following it is not in itself reason to deny warranty coverage... so they found another reason to do so! I had "someone other than a 'Kia authorized technician' perform work on the car" and this somehow voided the warranty!?! I showed them where their manual stated I could have anybody, including myself, perform the work... the responded with "We can't be certain if it was the engine that failed, or if your mechanic sabotaged it." Has anyone ever heard of anything quite so laughable? So here I sit, almost 8 months later with a $12,000.00 paperweight parked in my front yard, (the painted advertisements all over it explaining why nobody has seen it move from its current position makes for original yard decor! lol) finally going to BBB arbitration in 4 days, or, at least I hope they'll show up at this one! Hmmmmm, coincidence? - Last Friday I was contacted by a "KIA representative" who offered to cover the cost of "tear down" if I would cover the cost of getting it to the dealership! More like let us try to create some other (non) reason to justify denial of an undeniable warranty which they would undeniably tout at the BBB mediation! Long an short of it is... do your research, and you'll find that the "warranty" is little more than type on paper!

19th May 2006, 15:34

"As clearly stated on page 17 paragraph 2 of your owners manual, therefore, KIA is legally covered and does not have to honor this warranty"). The cost to replace my engine?"

YES, it is clearly stated, so you have no one to blame but yourself. My friends that have Hondas, Mazdas and Mercedes cars tell me does those manufacturers require the same thing. EVERYONE should know you have to change oil no less than 3,000 miles! What do you think the owners manual is for. It tells you that.

Lastly, why should Kia pay for a new engine just because you didn't properly maintain it? The owner has the responsibility to maintain the car, not the dealer. Why didn't you keep records of oil changes in the first place?

18th Jan 2008, 00:18

My KIA Rio seized today, at 82,000 miles. I maintain it meticulously. I pulled the spark plugs and the third one was not only coated in oil, it was smashed from the bottom and looking down the cylinder you can see the valve tweaked up. Of course I have no warranty as I am the second owner. KIA sucks!

28th Feb 2008, 08:38

I don't know what happened to your Kias I guess I got lucky. The first day I had it, it just stalled and wouldn't start again, the dealership did something and the same car, it is now at 255,000 kms and I've only had to do regular maintenance to it. The gas gauge is broken, it went at about 200,000 kms, but I just go by my kms. The only major work I've had to do was the timing belt, which has to get done eventually, and I had to replace the alternator and get some muffler work done which was only like 200.00. It's a junk car, but it gets me from A to B and I haven't had to do any major work to it. I feel bad for you guys. Every car company has its lemons. I remember my mom getting a lemon truck from Ford, and they wouldn't stand by their warranties either.

3rd Mar 2008, 22:45

I have a 2001 KIA Rio that I had just bought from the previous owner, and she had replaced all the parts in the car from wires to spark-plugs, and she never had a problem with the car. She had it for 7 years and no problems.

So then I bought the car for a decent price, and I was happy up until 2 weeks later it broke down; the engine was locked up. My uncle took apart the car and the spark plugs were pretty much not there, and the pistons were damaged and the valves were damaged. I was told that I needed to buy a new engine for the car, and those don't come easy. So now I am paying for something that I can't drive. So I am a little frustrated.

13th Apr 2008, 00:06

I have a 2002 Kia Rio that I bought new off the lot. The only problems that I've had with her is that her fuel gauge doesn't work. I keep track of my mileage on a notebook in the glove box and don't care about the stupid gauge. I have no problems with the car and have enjoyed driving it so much that I've considered getting another. The new ones with that Black body contour down the side are HORRENDOUS? YUCKERS!!! I'll keep this one til I find another one I like or they decide on a better body style!

7th May 2008, 07:52

Well, lol, I bought a new 2001 Kia Rio and never had any real problems. That is until I hit 103,000 and was driving down the freeway when I heard a click and the engine died. I had it towed to my mechanic and they told me the engine had seized. I had regular oil changes, etc. I called Kia Corporate thinking they might want to honor the warranty even though it is 3000 miles over. Nope. So instead I will post this every where I can. Buyer beware. Besides being junk, the car is generally quite uncomfortable and those 103,000 miles took at least 5 years off my life.

21st May 2008, 20:20

I have a 2004 Kia Sorento EX that I bought new off the lot. I only experienced minor problems (head lamps burning out frequently, back latch malfunctioned, etc) until it reached 62,000 miles.

At 62,000 miles a bolt sheared off on the crank shaft and I had to have the engine replaced (short block). The dealership requested my oil change records, but then agreed to repair under warranty before I provided them. 7 1/2 weeks later, I got the car back in seemingly perfect condition. This dealership is REALLY slow and REALLY terrible!

Now, one year and 18,000 miles later (almost to the day!) the head gasket is blown. I noticed smoke in my rear-view mirror today and pulled over to check it out. Oil was leaking from the side of the engine and had completely coated the underside of my car. My husband took a look and said it appears to be a blown head gasket.

This car clearly has problems. I treat this car like my baby and am very meticulous about the maintenance. I have lost all faith in Kia and will be getting rid of this car ASAP! I was planning to keep it until the warranty expired but I'm no longer willing to take the gamble that Kia will even honor the warranty. I would not recommend this car to anyone.