My car is a 2012 Kia Forte EX with ~52,000 miles on it and a good service record (according to a Kia dealership). I recently took it to the dealership for service on a rattling noise in the front, passenger side. When I drive on moderately bumpy roads at low speeds (<25mph), the car sounds like parts are moving about in that one location. After running a diagnostics on the car, the service department concluded that the car's axle is loose due to normal wear. In other words, the car just makes this terrifying noise because it's either poorly constructed or made out of cheap or unstable materials. They assured me that the loose axle is safe and does not affect operation of the car. This defect, however, makes my car very unpleasant to drive and devalues the car. Every single passenger I have had in the car since it started making the noise has expressed concern about whether the car is safe to drive. I doubt any buyer will be interested in a vehicle that sounds like it's going to fall apart, regardless of whether it's actually going to fall apart. Further, how am I supposed to determine if/when the noise develops into something that is actually unsafe or affecting operations? Unfortunately, the defect is not covered under warranty, which only covers defects that impair the car's operations; a repair for this will run $400-600, according to the dealership.
I really regret buying from Kia (car was paid in full at time of purchase) and I will certainly not purchase from them again. I invested money with the expectation that the car would provide about 10 years of service without causing any significant problems. As of late, I can't imagine driving this car around for another 5 or so years while hearing that awful noise. What a disappointing waste of money and a distressing driving experience.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car is a 2012 Kia Forte EX with ~52,000 miles on it and a good service record (according to a Kia dealership). I recently took it to the dealership for service on a rattling noise in the front, passenger side. When I drive on moderately bumpy roads at low speeds (<25mph), the car sounds like parts are moving about in that one location. After running a diagnostics on the car, the service department concluded that the car's axle is loose due to normal wear. In other words, the car just makes this terrifying noise because it's either poorly constructed or made out of cheap or unstable materials. They assured me that the loose axle is safe and does not affect operation of the car. This defect, however, makes my car very unpleasant to drive and devalues the car. Every single passenger I have had in the car since it started making the noise has expressed concern about whether the car is safe to drive. I doubt any buyer will be interested in a vehicle that sounds like it's going to fall apart, regardless of whether it's actually going to fall apart. Further, how am I supposed to determine if/when the noise develops into something that is actually unsafe or affecting operations? Unfortunately, the defect is not covered under warranty, which only covers defects that impair the car's operations; a repair for this will run $400-600, according to the dealership.
I really regret buying from Kia (car was paid in full at time of purchase) and I will certainly not purchase from them again. I invested money with the expectation that the car would provide about 10 years of service without causing any significant problems. As of late, I can't imagine driving this car around for another 5 or so years while hearing that awful noise. What a disappointing waste of money and a distressing driving experience.
- kathrynp, Atlanta, GA, US