Vehicle originally seen D/T no heat on 2/16/07 by auto repair business. Heater core flush did not correct problem, as well as new thermostat. Heater core replaced on 2/22/07. Technician noted a large amount of coolant leaking on floor from firewall. Airbag light on after picking up vehicle. On 2/27/07, owner was in vehicle & a loud noise sounding like an explosion was heard. Several plastic pieces covering seatbelt on pssger. Side popped off. Seatbelt frozen. Strong smell resembling gunsmoke in vehicle. Owner stopped at Kia dealership. No Kia tech available. Appt. 3/2/07. Dx. was that there was numerous short to ground codes that probably happened when dash was reinstalled after heater core repair. Recommendation by dealership to take vehicle back to where repair was done. Auto repair shop started looking at it on 3/5/07, taking dashboard completely apart. On 3/7/07, looked at vehicle/discussed situation. Shop owner felt that incident was not caused by their repair work. He felt that the computer for the airbags shorted out D/T collection of coolant within the computer & stated what needed to be replaced, including a new computer, new restraining system & seatbelt tensioner. He felt the dealership diagnosis was incorrect, & was unhappy that dealership was blaming him for the problems that occurred. The shop owner feels that coolant had probably been leaking before repair work was done, & possibly be related to the way vehicle was made, since the coolant was leaking within the interior of the car underneath the dashboard, & not where it should have been. Owner of vehicle called dealership on 3/9/07 & spoke with service manager, asking for a refund for services provided by them on 3/2/07. He refused, stating that their diagnosis was correct & that they did not do anything wrong. Vehicle remains at auto repair shop. Owner questions safety of vehicle. No accident. Kia Corp. Called 3/7 by owner. Rep. Made comments blaming auto repair shop.

- Columbus, WI, USA