There are some things in automobile possession that make your abdomen drop. It could possibly be an engine gentle approaching, a sudden breakdown, or worse but, watching your brand-new automobile puff out smoke proper after a routine service. However what if the true difficulty isn’t just below the hood, however in the best way the dealership responds? That’s what one Kia K4 proprietor is grappling with after a easy oil change became one thing way more regarding. This morning, I encountered Amy’s story by means of the “KIA K4 2025” group on Fb. She had simply gotten an oil change at a Kia dealership, however inside the hour, her brand-new 2025 Kia K4 was leaking oil, smoking, and making loud metallic clanks. The dealership’s response? A imprecise reassurance that the engine was fantastic, and a suspicious request to keep away from finishing the service survey.
This is what she wrote in full: “I would like some recommendation please. I acquired an oil change at a KIA dealership, drove off, and about an hour later heard a steel clunk below the automobile. Then it began smoking. I pulled over and a bunch of oil was on the bottom. I Instantly known as KIA for a tow. They stuffed the oil and inspected the engine and mentioned it was all good. Then the supervisor requested me to not fill out the survey I used to be going to get! Odd, proper? Then I acquired the ‘I am actually sorry.’ I requested concerning the engine blowing and steel fragments and so they instructed me that I’ve a ten yr/100,000 mile guarantee so if the engine goes out, it is going to be changed and if it was going to occur, it will anticipate 10/100,000 to go dangerous. This complete state of affairs shouldn’t be sitting properly with me and everybody I ask says I ought to request a brand new engine or a lifetime any KIA dealership guarantee. Oh, and free oil adjustments for the lifetime of the automobile. Folks additionally instructed me to contact a lawyer as a result of this may trigger severe injury. What do you all suppose?”
Pink Flags and Rolling Smoke
What makes this case so disconcerting isn’t simply the mechanical failure itself, although that alone is alarming on a brand new automobile. It is actually how the dealership appeared extra involved with its service survey than transparency. When a dealership asks you to not full a survey after a botched service, that alerts a purple flag.
Some group members wasted no time reducing to the core of the problem. Mandy Cobb didn’t mince phrases, saying, “I might contact a lawyer.” That single sentence displays a rising sentiment amongst clients who really feel dealerships aren’t at all times trustworthy or forthcoming once they know they’ve tousled. Authorized illustration isn’t only a menace, however a essential line of protection typically.
Oliver G. Hardley took a extra proactive stance: “Demand a brand new motor to your automobile and report this to Kia company.” His remark underscores one thing many new Kia house owners are beginning to really feel: in case your dealership received’t shield you, escalate it to the producer. Doc all the pieces, file a declare, and go to the highest when you should.
Danny Goncalves added one other layer: “I simply maintain listening to horror story after horror story with Kia. Man, I ought to have caught with Honda.” That comparability displays the rising stress between Kia’s latest positive factors in worth and efficiency versus lingering doubts about long-term reliability. Many house owners, together with some who initially traded of their Civics or Corollas, are starting to marvel in the event that they gambled on the unsuitable wager.
To that time, it’s price noting how strongly the 2025 Kia K4 has been praised for its efficiency and worth. One reviewer even mentioned it rivaled the Honda Civic at its worth level. However as we’re seeing right here, a stellar check drive doesn’t at all times assure worry-free possession.
A Deeper Drawback?
Steve Spicer added a dose of realism: “Too early for lemon regulation. It takes 3 repairs on the identical difficulty getting the producer concerned at every step. Insure it properly and drive it like a rental and see what occurs subsequent.” His recommendation is pragmatic but additionally irritating. It implies that the one approach to see in case your brand-new automobile is a dud is to attend and hope it breaks once more. That’s a bitter tablet for anybody who simply made their first or second automobile buy.
There’s additionally the bigger difficulty of how guarantee security nets are actually getting used as company shields. Kia service facilities might technically repair the problem below guarantee if the engine fails, however what if the injury isn’t instant? What if an absence of oil triggered untimely inner put on that doesn’t present up till after the powertrain protection ends? In these circumstances, the shopper could be left holding the bag years later, particularly if the dealership didn’t doc the problem truthfully within the service data.
That actual anxiousness is what many house owners are starting to precise on-line. Whereas the 2025 Kia K4 has been described because the type of automobile automakers as soon as constructed their reputations on, these reputations can crumble shortly when belief is violated. If a primary oil change can result in potential engine failure, and the service employees tries to maintain it quiet, allegedly after all, then it taints all the pieces that automobile might need represented.
When the Guarantee Isn’t Sufficient
Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile guarantee has at all times been a significant promoting level. It reassures patrons that even when one thing goes unsuitable, they’re lined. However on this case, the guarantee turned a part of the deflection. As a substitute of specializing in fixing the instant drawback, the employees allegedly leaned on the guarantee as a security blanket as a substitute.
That doesn’t sit proper for most individuals as most engines don’t smoke and leak oil as a result of they’re wholesome, however that does appear to be the extent of what one would count on till the automobile breaks down as soon as extra.
It’s much more upsetting contemplating that many patrons selected the K4 for its refinement and upgraded options. Some house owners praised the K4 for its clean journey, impartial rear suspension, and premium really feel for the value. However once more, none of that issues if the dealership doesn’t take possession significantly when one thing breaks.
This additionally isn’t the primary Kia K4 proprietor to come across an unsettling post-service shock. We lately lined one other case the place a 2025 Kia K4 suffered wiring injury from rodents, leading to hundreds of {dollars} in injury. The dealership mentioned it wasn’t lined below guarantee, since most of these damages aren’t sometimes lined. That too felt like one other instance of shifting accountability onto the shopper although.
So I believe tales like this do make one factor clear: irrespective of how good a automobile appears on paper, the true possession expertise is outlined by what occurs with who you belief along with your automobile. Plus, if manufacturers are going to supply a class-leading guarantee like Kia, then you definately want a community that stands by it truthfully and never one which dances round accountability, hoping points get swept below the rug.
Key Takeaways
- If one thing goes unsuitable proper after a service, doc all the pieces. Images, tow data, dealership notes, and time of day data might prevent later.
- Don’t let imprecise reassurances substitute for actual solutions. In case your engine clanked and smoked, demand a full write-up of what occurred and why.
- Use your guarantee strategically, however don’t let it turn into a crutch that permits poor service to slip.
- Push for written affirmation that your engine was correctly inspected and isn’t broken, or higher but, get a second opinion.
- Attain out to company when dealership habits raises flags. Stress from above can get outcomes you received’t see on the service desk.
Time For Your Opinion
Have you ever ever skilled one thing going unsuitable proper after a vendor service? Did they take accountability or attempt to downplay it?
And what’s your tackle the K4 to this point? Do you suppose it has the potential to really compete with long-standing favorites just like the Civic, or are there nonetheless too many issues to miss?
Let me know what you suppose within the feedback under.
Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist bringing a contemporary perspective to his protection of the evolving automotive panorama. Observe Aram on X and LinkedIn for day by day information protection about vehicles.
Picture Sources: Kia Gallery
