I mistakenly posted a complaint here against Big Bell Road Kia before I had all of the information from the dealer but had too much bad information from independent garages. As it turned out, the dealer really went the extra mile and fixed my problem, under warranty, costing me nothing. Out of anger, I whipped off a complaint that shouldn't have been written and must apologize to Big Bell Road Kia.
Consumer Complaints & Reviews
Driving down the road at 45mph, the transmission jumped with a hard knock to the car and dropped into 3rd gear. Taking the car to my mechanic, he determined after an hour and a half inspection that the "shift solenoid" was malfunctioning and that I should bring it to the dealer, this would be covered by warranty. The service department at the dealership wanted $64.50 to read the engine code, my mechanic charged nothing. The service department called to inform me the first step was to change the transmission oil for $159 and see what happens before proceeding to the next step. My mechanic offered to replace the solenoid and flush the fluid for under $300. The dealer also told me I wasn't likely to have the repair done under warranty because I was 562 miles over the warranty, less than 1% over. I called two other dealers and was told the same.
I enjoyed the car immensely prior to my experience with Kia service. From reading others reviews on the internet, it would appear that this shift solenoid is a known problem amongst Spectra5 drivers. Sadly after owning nearly half a dozen Kia's or Hyundai's (Hyundai is the parent company for Kia), it only took one poor service experience and Kia not performing adequate service that two other garages recognized as being required to turn me off the company. The service rep also informed me that Kia does not recommend changing the shift solenoid but replace the entire transmission. If this is indeed true and it is not covered by warranty, the consumer would be looking at a multi thousand dollar repair. The potential economic effect would have been to start paying Kia as they "tried" various fixes on the way to fixing the vehicle the way that was recommended by two independent vendors.
I called and made an appointment to have my oil changed. When I got there it was like being invisible. Finally one service tech. said he'd be right with me. Then Bob looked up my information. I gave him the card they sent me to get a third free oil change. He said they failed to mark one and so my card was not any good. If I already had my three oil changes why did they not notice on the second one that I was not able to use the card again? I already have had buyer's remorse for the agreement I made but that is my problem and has nothing to do with the car. Thank you.
MY AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON MY USED 1997 DODGE CARAVAN PURCHASED AT THIS DEALERSHIP 12/6/2000. I HAD A TOTAL LOSS ACCIENT ON 4/16/02 W/THIS VEHICLE & MY HEAD HIT WINDSHIELD.THE PASSENGER SIDE DEPLOYED (WHERE NOBODY WAS SITTING)
BUT NOT THE DRIVER SIDE HERE I WAS! I ALSO PURCHASED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY & GAP INSURANCE THROUGH KAREN AT THIS DEALERSHIP.FILED THREE CLAIMS W/HER SINCE INCIDENT;;MOST RECENT ON 4/04;;FOUND OUT THROUGH CONTACTING WARRANTY CO. YSELF THAT MY REFUND CHECK WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIP IN 7/02!!!! KAREN HAS NEVER STATED THIS & EVEN TO DATE HAS ONLY CONTACTD ME ONCE DUE TO THE FACT I E-MAILED HER THROUGH DAIMLER-CHRYSLER!! SHE WAS VERY RUDE & TOLD ME NEVER TO E-MAIL HER AGAIN.I ALSO HAD A CLAIM FOR CAR RENTAL RE-IMBURSEMENT THROUGH MY GAP INS. SHE WILL NOT ANSWER QUESTIONS,REPLY TO PHONE ESSAGES ETC.THE WARRANTY CO. I NEED ADVICE AS TO HOW TO OBTAIN MY REFUND W/THIS CO. & I FEEL SINCE THEY TO DATE HAVE LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT MY WARRANTY WAS NEVER CANCELLED THAT I AM DUE INTEREST, &/OR SOMETHING TO COMPENSATE ME FOR MY TROUBLE.
