My car alarm malfunctioned repeatedly. I park directly in front of the previous managers apartment. While he was still the manager I received an eviction notice because of the frequent alarm/horn going off. I took it to the dealership on two occasions.
The first occasion (this one) I was told that the car had an aftermarket Skyjack, GPS type of alarm installed on it. The service order stated that it was removed at no charge and not repaired because they didn't know what type of alarm it was or what dealership installed it and they stated that they didn't know where the car was sold originally. As it turned out the car was sold new from the dealership where I purchased it. I found this out on a subsequent visit at my request. I requested a copy of the service order from the first visit for the alarm problem, when I brought the car in for the second time for the same problem. At that time the service order was totally rewritten.
The date listed on the first order that I requested a copy of on the second visit for the same problem was not correct. It showed the date of the first service for this problem as the same date as the second visit for the same problem (10/26/18.) The mileage of the car at the first visit showed 19,914. The mileage at the time of the second visit for this problem was 20,313. The original service order that I could not find at home, showed that they removed the aftermarket alarm system at no charge. The new repair order states that the car was not equipped with a factory security alarm system.
I was told by the service manager that it was not equipped with an aftermarket system as well. On the second visit I was told that the car did indeed have an aftermarket alarm when I dropped it off and that they would remove it at no charge. Contrary to what the first service order that I couldn't find actually said. If it didn't have an aftermarket or a factory alarm, why was my car honking the horn until it timed out. If you find this confusing and frustrating, imagine how I felt. I could not hear the alarm unless I was outside, as my apartment is back to back with the manager's apartment. For a time the neighbor next to the previous manager used to call me to turn the alarm off but when that stopped I got the eviction notice, since was quote making too much noise, because I couldn't hear the alarm and it continued honking until it timed itself out.. I went so far as to super glue my key so that the panic alarm button could not be pressed.
I called two lock smiths at the service tech's request and took it to two service centers not related to the Kia dealer to seek help. They could not get the car to alarm. I was told if I hid an original key in the car and had a valet key cut at $100.00 per key from the dealership, and used the vallet key to open the door that the alarm wouldn't sound. I was later told that this was not true. Since the dealership could not get the car to alarm I got the car back with the continuing problem.
Naturally it happened on a Sunday, at my house was a stroke of luck. Got in Soul, turned key, it all flashed, then dim. Tried to charge battery no luck, cleaned ground on body, no luck. It must have lost a cell, would not run after jump. Died when cables removed. So off to Walmart to buy a battery.
Being Sunday no hope to get fixed by dealership, I have extended warranty as well, bumper to bumper, but useless on Sunday, had to fix myself as this is my only vehicle. Don't have money for 5 vehicles or 50 houses like the wealthy I live around. My job barely pays enough to survive on. I had to fix or lose a day's work or longer to get fixed by dealership. Can't get reimbursed because of the core return. Never had a battery go bad like this or that soon.
Have some other issues but don't have time to get it in and leave it. Seems all new vehicles still have problems no matter what brand. Manufacturers defects, or part defects. Always something to work out, but if you get it all worked out, you may as well drive it Till the wheels fall off. Or by another malfunction of a over priced vehicle.
I must say though, Kia credit /financial is a good company with the payment aspect. They help you out if your in a bind with payments. I got to get the other issues fixed once day. Kinda hard with one vehicle you depend on. Be nice to buy a vehicle that must was perfect from the start like new should be. You buy new to avoid headaches, but when does that happen? You pay dearly for these over priced vehicles, yet buy new headaches, if you got the time to get it fixed at least it's covered. Unless it's Sunday and you buy a battery and fix it yourself.
Brand new, less than 30 days owned, hadn't yet made a payment, car would not start. It was 3 degrees above zero; we don't expect problems until we get to 20 below. Roadside assistance towed vehicle. The weather warmed, and they were unable to experience difficulty after 3 days. We had to simply pick up the car and fear for next winter.
- Jennifer F.,
Mandan, US
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
My car alarm malfunctioned repeatedly. I park directly in front of the previous managers apartment. While he was still the manager I received an eviction notice because of the frequent alarm/horn going off. I took it to the dealership on two occasions.
The first occasion (this one) I was told that the car had an aftermarket Skyjack, GPS type of alarm installed on it. The service order stated that it was removed at no charge and not repaired because they didn't know what type of alarm it was or what dealership installed it and they stated that they didn't know where the car was sold originally. As it turned out the car was sold new from the dealership where I purchased it. I found this out on a subsequent visit at my request. I requested a copy of the service order from the first visit for the alarm problem, when I brought the car in for the second time for the same problem. At that time the service order was totally rewritten.
The date listed on the first order that I requested a copy of on the second visit for the same problem was not correct. It showed the date of the first service for this problem as the same date as the second visit for the same problem (10/26/18.) The mileage of the car at the first visit showed 19,914. The mileage at the time of the second visit for this problem was 20,313. The original service order that I could not find at home, showed that they removed the aftermarket alarm system at no charge. The new repair order states that the car was not equipped with a factory security alarm system.
I was told by the service manager that it was not equipped with an aftermarket system as well. On the second visit I was told that the car did indeed have an aftermarket alarm when I dropped it off and that they would remove it at no charge. Contrary to what the first service order that I couldn't find actually said. If it didn't have an aftermarket or a factory alarm, why was my car honking the horn until it timed out. If you find this confusing and frustrating, imagine how I felt. I could not hear the alarm unless I was outside, as my apartment is back to back with the manager's apartment. For a time the neighbor next to the previous manager used to call me to turn the alarm off but when that stopped I got the eviction notice, since was quote making too much noise, because I couldn't hear the alarm and it continued honking until it timed itself out.. I went so far as to super glue my key so that the panic alarm button could not be pressed.
I called two lock smiths at the service tech's request and took it to two service centers not related to the Kia dealer to seek help. They could not get the car to alarm. I was told if I hid an original key in the car and had a valet key cut at $100.00 per key from the dealership, and used the vallet key to open the door that the alarm wouldn't sound. I was later told that this was not true. Since the dealership could not get the car to alarm I got the car back with the continuing problem.
- Cary G., Peoria, AZ, US