I purchased a 2020 Kia Niro, about 6 months ago. The vehicle would not start, two months ago, so under the KIA warranty, they towed the car to the service department, of South Austin Kia. That was on September 7th.
I was initially told that the car had 10 modules, and that all had to be dismantled, and inspected. Once this was complete, they told me they detected two errors. However, they would need a "Tech Specialist", to come and take a look. They had put in the request, but were not sure when that person would arrive.
After speaking with Ray Trevino, at Group 1 Automotive (Houston, TX), he advised me to request a rental car. A car was provided one month ago. I called South Austin Kia last week, and told my service representative (Griselda), that the rental was coming due on November 2nd, and had she heard anything from the technician arriving. She told me, "No', but not to worry... they would take care of the rental".
Today, November 1st, a mere four days after I spoke with Griselda, she phoned me and said the technician had arrived, and determined the problem with my car was due to, "Rodents eating through the harness, which is preventing my car from starting". Furthermore, "This was not covered under Kia's warranty. The rental car was now my responsibility", and "the charge to fix the car would be $1065.00, however, the part they need had to be ordered, and its arrival was unknown". But, she went on to say, "The technician could disconnect MY HORN, which would allow my car to be drivable, while we are waiting on said part". And this fix would cost me, $1192.00. I told her, "No thanks, I would prefer to wait on the part".
I asked her to have the mechanic take photos of the alleged, "Rodent invasion", but have not received those yet.
I owned a 2016 Kia Soul, for five years, parked it in the same spot, and never had rodents chewing away at my car. Considering, the car has been in their shop for two months, for all I know, rodents chewed on my wires, while it was in their possession. There have been numerous complaints, with this particular service department... one owner relocating his car to the North Austin Kia Dealership, due to these delays and misdiagnosis.
Is there anything I can do, to challenge this claim of rodent damage? Kia Corporation is making millions of dollars, by selling cars with soy based wires that attract rodents, and passing the fix on to the consumer. It seems there should be a disclaimer when a purchase is made, that the buyer may face the situation I am currently in. BTW, my insurance company will not provide a rental car, because this is a vehicle defect, not the result of a collision. Also, why should my insurance company have to pay for a fix on a car, that a manufacturer KNOWS is an attractive nuisance?
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
I purchased a 2020 Kia Niro, about 6 months ago. The vehicle would not start, two months ago, so under the KIA warranty, they towed the car to the service department, of South Austin Kia. That was on September 7th.
I was initially told that the car had 10 modules, and that all had to be dismantled, and inspected. Once this was complete, they told me they detected two errors. However, they would need a "Tech Specialist", to come and take a look. They had put in the request, but were not sure when that person would arrive.
After speaking with Ray Trevino, at Group 1 Automotive (Houston, TX), he advised me to request a rental car. A car was provided one month ago. I called South Austin Kia last week, and told my service representative (Griselda), that the rental was coming due on November 2nd, and had she heard anything from the technician arriving. She told me, "No', but not to worry... they would take care of the rental".
Today, November 1st, a mere four days after I spoke with Griselda, she phoned me and said the technician had arrived, and determined the problem with my car was due to, "Rodents eating through the harness, which is preventing my car from starting". Furthermore, "This was not covered under Kia's warranty. The rental car was now my responsibility", and "the charge to fix the car would be $1065.00, however, the part they need had to be ordered, and its arrival was unknown". But, she went on to say, "The technician could disconnect MY HORN, which would allow my car to be drivable, while we are waiting on said part". And this fix would cost me, $1192.00. I told her, "No thanks, I would prefer to wait on the part".
I asked her to have the mechanic take photos of the alleged, "Rodent invasion", but have not received those yet.
I owned a 2016 Kia Soul, for five years, parked it in the same spot, and never had rodents chewing away at my car. Considering, the car has been in their shop for two months, for all I know, rodents chewed on my wires, while it was in their possession. There have been numerous complaints, with this particular service department... one owner relocating his car to the North Austin Kia Dealership, due to these delays and misdiagnosis.
Is there anything I can do, to challenge this claim of rodent damage? Kia Corporation is making millions of dollars, by selling cars with soy based wires that attract rodents, and passing the fix on to the consumer. It seems there should be a disclaimer when a purchase is made, that the buyer may face the situation I am currently in. BTW, my insurance company will not provide a rental car, because this is a vehicle defect, not the result of a collision. Also, why should my insurance company have to pay for a fix on a car, that a manufacturer KNOWS is an attractive nuisance?
- Paula H., Moulton, TX, US