There are some things in automobile possession that make your abdomen drop. It may very well 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 actual 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 was one thing way more regarding. This morning, I encountered Amy’s story by way of the “KIA K4 2025” group on Fb. She had simply gotten an oil change at a Kia dealership, however throughout 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 effective, 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 bought an oil change at a KIA dealership, drove off, and about an hour later heard a steel clunk beneath the automobile. Then it began smoking. I pulled over and a bunch of oil was on the bottom. I Instantly referred to as KIA for a tow. They crammed the oil and inspected the engine and stated 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 bought the ‘I am actually sorry.’ I requested in regards to the engine blowing and steel fragments and so they advised me that I’ve a ten yr/100,000 mile guarantee so if the engine goes out, will probably be changed and if it was going to occur, it might look ahead to 10/100,000 to go unhealthy. This complete scenario just isn’t sitting effectively 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 modifications for the lifetime of the automobile. Individuals additionally advised me to contact a lawyer as a result of this could trigger severe injury. What do you all assume?”
Purple Flags and Rolling Smoke
What makes this example 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 chopping to the core of the difficulty. Mandy Cobb didn’t mince phrases, saying, “I’d contact a lawyer.” That single sentence displays a rising sentiment amongst clients who really feel dealerships aren’t at all times sincere or forthcoming after they know they’ve tousled. Authorized illustration isn’t only a menace, however a vital 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 defend you, escalate it to the producer. Doc every little thing, 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 rigidity between Kia’s current positive factors in worth and efficiency versus lingering doubts about long-term reliability. Many homeowners, together with some who initially traded of their Civics or Corollas, are starting to surprise in the event that they gambled on the incorrect wager.
To that time, it’s value noting how strongly the 2025 Kia K4 has been praised for its efficiency and worth. One reviewer even stated it rivaled the Honda Civic at its value level. However as we’re seeing right here, a stellar take a look at drive doesn’t at all times assure worry-free possession.
A Deeper Downside?
Steve Spicer added a dose of realism: “Too early for lemon legislation. It takes 3 repairs on the identical difficulty getting the producer concerned at every step. Insure it effectively and drive it like a rental and see what occurs subsequent.” His recommendation is pragmatic but in addition irritating. It implies that the one solution 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 difficulty beneath guarantee if the engine fails, however what if the injury isn’t fast? What if an absence of oil induced untimely inside put on that doesn’t present up till after the powertrain protection ends? In these instances, the shopper could be left holding the bag years later, particularly if the dealership didn’t doc the difficulty actually 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 form 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 workers tries to maintain it quiet, allegedly after all, then it taints every little thing 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 consumers that even when one thing goes incorrect, they’re coated. However on this case, the guarantee grew to become a part of the deflection. As an alternative of specializing in fixing the fast downside, the workers allegedly leaned on the guarantee as a security blanket as an alternative.
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 consumers selected the K4 for its refinement and upgraded options. Some house owners praised the K4 for its easy journey, unbiased rear suspension, and premium really feel for the value. However once more, none of that issues if the dealership doesn’t take possession severely when one thing breaks.
This additionally isn’t the primary Kia K4 proprietor to come across an unsettling post-service shock. We not too long ago coated one other case the place a 2025 Kia K4 suffered wiring injury from rodents, leading to hundreds of {dollars} in injury. The dealership stated it wasn’t coated beneath guarantee, since most of these damages aren’t sometimes coated. That too felt like one other instance of shifting duty onto the shopper although.
So I believe tales like this do make one factor clear: irrespective of how good a automobile seems to be on paper, the actual possession expertise is outlined by what occurs with who you belief together 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 actually and never one which dances round accountability, hoping points get swept beneath the rug.
Key Takeaways
- If one thing goes incorrect proper after a service, doc every little thing. Photographs, 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 out to be a crutch that enables 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. Strain 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 incorrect proper after a supplier service? Did they take duty or attempt to downplay it?
And what’s your tackle the K4 thus far? Do you assume it has the potential to actually compete with long-standing favorites just like the Civic, or are there nonetheless too many considerations to miss?
Let me know what you assume within the feedback beneath.
Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist bringing a recent perspective to his protection of the evolving automotive panorama. Observe Aram on X and LinkedIn for each day information protection about automobiles.
Picture Sources: Kia Gallery
