Serious Kia Engine Failure, Months Waiting for Parts & Poor Customer Support , Has Anyone Else Exper

deepjos

Serious Kia Engine Failure, Months Waiting for Parts & Poor Customer Support , Has Anyone Else Experienced This?

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share my experience and also ask whether anyone else has faced similar issues with Kia uk parts delays or serious engine problems.

I purchased my Kia through an authorised Kia dealership with a Kia Assured Warranty and the vehicle has always been serviced through authorised Kia dealerships. However, within just 1.6 years of ownership, the vehicle has broken down twice.

Most recently, while travelling on the motorway with my family (2 adults and 2 children), the car suddenly developed loud engine noises, a burning smell, and oil leakage before completely stopping and becoming unable to move. It was a very frightening and dangerous situation.

The vehicle was recovered on 31 March. Following inspection and engine dismantling on 14 April, I was informed the vehicle had suffered a serious engine failure involving the crankshaft. Kia then advised that the required parts were on back order from South Korea with no confirmed ETA, only estimates suggesting the end of July or possibly longer.

Despite Kia stating that “95% of parts are supplied within 24 hours,” we have effectively been left without proper mobility for months.

What has also disappointed me is the level of customer support. After escalating the matter to the CEO’s office, most responses focused on warranty exclusions and terms & conditions rather than practical support or reassurance.

The Kia Assured Warranty only provides a hire car for 7 days, even when delays are caused by Kia parts shortages, meaning customers are left covering ongoing transport costs themselves.

During this period, my wife has had ongoing health concerns and hospital appointments, so we have had to rely heavily on Uber and public transport which has caused significant stress and disruption.

I’m genuinely interested to know:

Has anyone else experienced major Kia parts delays?

Any similar engine failures or crankshaft issues?

How long did your repairs actually take?

Did Kia provide any goodwill support or extended warranty after repair?

Would appreciate hearing others’ experiences and advice.

Thank you.

born_again

Which Kia?

Age mileage?

What issue?

Limited liability

Under this warranty, Kia are only liable for the repair or replacement of original parts by an authorised Kia dealer that are defective in material or workmanship. Kia are not liable for any costs that may incur getting to a dealer, supplying a replacement car or as a result of being without the car during warranty repairs.

A lot depends on what car, but Kia have had parts issues before.

Only one dealer is owned by Kia (Bolton) all the rest are franchises.

paul_c123

Kia, Hyundai, MG, maybe other far-eastern manufacturers are all on my "do not buy" list due to parts availability.

Without knowing make/model/year/engine we can't tell you if crank failure is common or not, but let me throw a wild stab in the dark…….1.6 petrol hybrid in a Kia Sportage???

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6667459/serious-kia-engine-failure-months-waiting-for-parts-poor-customer-support-has-anyone-else-exper

You have had the car for 1.6 years, but how old and what mileage is the vehicle in total?

Two break downs in that 1.6 years - what was the first break down?

What was the root cause of the latest breakdown? Head gasket? Drive belt failure?

ididgetwhereiamtoday

I can’t help with the above but,,, The Kia dealer network IMO is awful. They really do come across as uncaring and unsupportive and overly expensive. All they want to do is sell you a new car.
They do make good electric cars but my next EV will not be a KIA simply because of the dealers.
In my experience Toyota and Nissan have excellent dealer customer service.
I just hope that my car doesn’t develop a fault that requires a KIA garage because I don’t have any faith in them.

Mildly_Miffed

Remember that Kia and Hyundai are the same company, and the cars share almost every part except for cosmetic differences.

As far as dealers go, remember that dealers are all franchised, and many dealership chains are multi-marque, so an issue with a Kia dealer in one town is more likely to be shared with a Ford or VW dealer than with the Kia dealer in another town.

ididgetwhereiamtoday

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992139#Comment_81992139

Exactly. And I don’t think Toyota for example share with other marks except their own Lexus and perhaps have more stringent franchise guidelines.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992222#Comment_81992222

Well, apart from the various Suzukis, Suburus, BMWs, Peugeots, Citroens, Opels(/Vauxhalls), Fiats that have been in rebadging deals with Toyota over the last decade and a half or so.

sheslookinhot

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992139#Comment_81992139

Kia and Hyundai are separate, independent companies.

MattMattMattUK

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992388#Comment_81992388

No they are not, they are both owned by Hyundai Motor Group, which also owns Genesis. They jointly develop and share engines, chassis and many other components.

Mildly_Miffed

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/81992388#Comment_81992388

Today's word is "Chaebol".

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyundai_Motor_Group