This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
My car has been in the shop ten times! I cannot specify a part, most parts have been repaired. When I say ten times, it is in the shop for the 10th time now but needs 8 different repairs. (not ten total repairs) as far as safety, the tires (different brands) have to be replaced every season... 2 sets a year! the brakes have been replaced twice. They checked out okay last time it was in, but they constanty shudder and grind, and have completely gone out. They also squeal very loud at about 60 mph while driving. Not sure if it is the brakes or tires. I just feel unsafe in my vehicle. It has been towed three times, leaving me stranded. My heater also quit working and I live in Alaska. I don't know if these are common problems, but I have never owned a vehicle that I felt so unsafe in. I also got into a car accident in 200, in which I was hit head on by an Explorer. I was driving about 25 mph and she was driving about 10 mph. It broke out my headlight, dented the hood up and put a hole in the bumper.... this much damage and the airbags never deployed! this was not called in to the police, I just let her go (it was her fault). I wish I had reported it.
While driving approximately 65 mph, hood released and smashed into windshield which blocked vision of driver, consumer felt problem was due to brake pads and rotors that cause severe vibration and had to be replaced frequently, there was no crash or injury to report when this incident occurred. Brakes would vibrate and were noisy, requested rear brakes be cleaned lubed, dealer found rotors warped and pads worn and excessive dust in rear brakes, numerous engine problems such as cooling fan rumble, check engine light on, engine stall, burning smell, belt squeaks, electric cooling fan inoperative, fan blade, plug wires and coil boots, valve cover gasket were replaced, evaporator was replaced and recharged, many electrical problems including ignition switch, starter, alternator, multifunction switch, battery terminal, and bulb failure, dealer has also found corrosion, poor connections and low voltage, consumer states numerous problems with shifter, harsh shifts and clunks, dealer replaced old style flex plate, binding shifter which was cleaned and lubed, fluid leaks, dealer replaced leaking power steering hose, multiple structural problems such as missing wiper arm cap, key will not open trunk, trunk lever does not release, broken trunk release handle, left rear door molding coming off, dealer replaced trunk release, reinstalled door weatherstrip, found oil leaks, and undercarriage showing signs of damage, bubbles in dash pad, sunvisor coming loose, dealer replaced dash pad, dealer found tail pipe damaged, both front aftermarket tires (no tire information) worn, left rear rim bent, rear tires (no tire information) cupped and feathered due to lack of rotation and alignment problems, consumer also requested dealer to check cv boots for grease leak, dealer found no problem.
Vehicle has been examined by the dealership approximately 9 to 10 times for brake problems, and replacement of the brake pads and rotors. Dealership continues to replace components, but has failed to remedy problem. Consumer replaced last set of brakes around 7-10-01 and now has approximately 375 miles and they are starting to warp again, dealer can not remedy problem.
This vehicle has been in the shop 4 times for various brake problems and although repairs were made I do not have any confidence in the reliability of this car. And, now that transmission had to be replaced, with such low mileage, I don't want to drive the car. I find it hard to believe that Kia is not aware of all the problems with their vehicles! thank you for looking out for our safety.
In 2 years I had to get a new transmission, replace my brakes 6 times, service engine problems 7 times, fuel pump, 8 recalls, wipers, new tires, and many other problems... copies of repairs are available upon request. I have also been discriminated against by the dealer many times.
I bought the car with 7000 miles on it, it has needed 4 brake jobs (every 7K -front then rear then front then rear) in the 28K that I've owned it. The rear brakes do not engage so the front brakes wear out. I had it put on a rack and someone step on the brake pedal, the rear tires could be turned easily. With strong pressure on the pedal, the rear tires were hard to move, but still could be moved by hand. The 2X the rear brakes were serviced, the cylinders had cracked and leaked. A friend has suggested this means the hydraulic pressure is going into the cylinders but they were a 'bad casting' and the pressure isn't pushing the pistons out, but eventually causes them to crack. 09/18/00 a flexplate in the transmission needed to be replaced. Less than 6 weeks later, the car went out of gear as I pulled into an intersection. It could not be driven. It was towed to the dealership and they replaced the transmission, drive shaft, and front axle on the car.
Signal lights fail to work properly when in use during cold weather for 15 minutes or so. Sometimes this happens when it's raining. The dealer replaced the hazard switch and there have not been any failures since. Seat belts have been replaced 3 times. Brakes and rotors have been replaced 3 times. Windshield wipers failed prior to recall. Head gasket replaced at 3500 miles. Molding on the doors fell off and was replaced. Tailpipe was replaced due to excessive exhaust fumes.
Since I purchased the car in 1999, I have had the vehicle back to the dealer 4 times for the engin lt staying on; still on and not repaired. Lt would be back on the same day or next day after picking up from dealership; brakes needed for inspection; not installed properly; squeeky and whole front end makes noises when you touch the brakes to slow down or stop.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cinninn, OH, USA