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The check engine light came on. My intent was to take my care to Shortline KIA in Aurora, but to my surprise, they had closed down and now was strictly Hyundai. Since I am the second owner of my car, the vehicle was no longer under warranty and I had every intention for paying for the repairs. To my surprise when Todd at Shortline Hyundai called and informed me that the code error for the parts to repair this (Engine Control Module or ECM) was covered under 8/80 Emissions Warranty which is a Federal Emissions Mandate. Here is a link if you are interested http://www.epa.gov/obd/pubs/420f09048.pdf. I was not aware of such a program and now ecstatic that my $1400 repair cost was now going to be free. I had my reservations, but the service agent at Shortline reassured me that they serviced this frequently at Shortline KIA prior to switching to Hyundia, but they could not perform the warranty service on my car since they were no longer a certified KIA agent. I was happy to pay my $65 dollars (which they discounted without solicitation from $80) for their trouble and took my car to PEAK KIA, which was a BIG MISTAKE!!!!!

I spoke with Bobby in the service department when I arrived at Peak KIA. I explained to him everything that was written in the above paragraph. I also provided him with the diagnosis from Shortline. Bobby at the time turned to his counterpart Chad and asked if he knew about the 8/80 warranty. Chad's reply "only the catalytic converter is covered". Bobby's said they would need to run their own test, but was pretty sure that this was not covered (1st time I was told). Also, Peak KIA charges $180 for their diagnosis fee - why is twice as much as Shortline?

A few hours later I received a call from Bobby confirming that they saw the same codes that Shortline saw. He further informed me that this was NOT covered under warranty (2nd time told it was not covered). By this time I researched the 8/80 warranty and it specifically points to the ECM as a covered part. I asked Bobby to google a PDF I found on the web that highlighted the coverage. Bobby told me that it was a document pertaining to Honda. My question to Bobby was "Do you think they pass Federal Laws specific to one manufacture? Don't you think that would create an unfair advantage?". Bobby's response - "I don't think it is covered, but I will go talk to my service manager". As a footnote, I contacted Shortline again and if they were certain of the 8/80. Todd provided me with and internal message code for Peak that this reference that is warranted under the 8/80 as that was how we got to this point in the first place.

Bobby did not get back with me, so I called him. This time Bobby informed me that his service manager said that it was not covered (3rd time told). I push Bobby by saying that this was a Federal Regulation. Bobby said he needed to call his District Manager and whatever he said would stand. I then asked Bobby why the just didn't call KIA direct for the answer. He said that is district manager was a direct connection with KIA Motors.

While waiting for Bobby's callback, I came across KIA Motor's 2009 warranty doucuments which can be found at this link http://www.kia.com/us/k3/content/media/all/warranty/2009_warranty.pdf. I called Bobby back, at which point he FINALLY admitted that it was covered. Bobbyโ€™s tone had taken a dramatic change. He said that this was the first time they have EVER seen an ECM failure and that KIA Motor's was very suspicious and required more information. Now MY tone took a dramatic change. I was fuming! Up until this point, Peak KIA had no knowledge that this was covered under 8/80 and when they finally did, it was up to me, the customer to prove I did not sabotage the part! I informed Bobby that in my brief research of the ECM for my particular vehicle, the ECM was a widely complaint among KIA owners. Bobby said that it was in expensive part, costing $1200 and that KIA wanted to do their due diligence before they would approve the service.

I was getting nowhere with Bobby so I asked to be transferred to his superior. I was transfer to his manage (apologize for not having his name). Needless to say, the tone from him was not much warmer than Bobby's. Shortly into my story I was interrupted and told that KIA wants to know a few things because this was a $700 part. I asked the managed how much the part cost, $700 or $1,200 and his reply was "It didn't matter".....if it didn't matter, why am I writing this review? He asked me "who services my vehicle?" . My answer was "a reputable mechanic?''. Second question "have you ever had your car jumped?", reply "have you ever had your car jumped?". He said yes, but if you do it wrong (reverse polarity) it can mess up the ECM. Here is the deal....if I wasn't already offended by the entire process, I most certainly now. I am 46 years old and have own and driven vehicles for the majority of my age. I have NEVER incorrectly jumped a vehicle.

I told him that I have done a great part of the work for his department since no one there knew the details of the 8/80 coverage. I further informed him that I was very displeased that I was told over and over that this was not covered and that I had to push my case. He told me that no one ever told me that it was not covered (remember that Bobby had to ask his Service Manager). I blew a gasket at this point! I asked that he put me on speaker phone with Bobby in the room to say that I was never told that this was not covered. He said that the agent was in the room and would be happy to do so. When I asked Bobby to confirm he never said he told me that it was not covered, I was flabbergast that Chad answered. Chad said he was there and that they never said that it was not covered. They refused to put Bobby on the phone.

While I do respect the Service Manager for standing up for guys, I am discussed that a person in his position would refuse to rectify and defuse the situation. I was further told by the Service Manager that KIA paid the bills and they have every right to be suspicious. My response was that I owned two KIAs, one of which was purchased from PEAK KiA just last year and that I, the consumers, paid the bills! At this point I informed him that I would come by the next morning, pay the diagnostic fees and take my car elsewhere. The Service Manager agreed that this would be the best course and the he would NOT charge me for their time. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

The next morning when I picked up my car, Bobby made me sign some documents prior to giving me my car key. Written in the PEAK KIA document were the same codes that Shortline Hyundai had in their documentations. It was also noted in their document that I declined to answer questions pertaining to the fail part for warranty approval.

As I write this, I question the practice from PEAK KIAโ€™s service department. How many customers have been charged for service that should have been covered under this warranty? I wonder if they were ever audited by the DA on this matter how they would fare.

This complaint/review does pertain to PEAK KIA Service only. I enjoyed my experience when I purchased my 2012 KIA Sedona from them in 2014 and it reflected in my post purchase review. I have no affiliation with Shortline Hyundai and their service department, but in the few times I have dealt with them , find them to fair and honest.

Reason of review: Warranty issue.

Monetary Loss: $1500.

Location: Denver, Colorado

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