As I am living on a small holding, I deceided to buy a Kia Sportage with the insurance money paid out, after the fatal accident in which my husband was invoved.
On 6th December I bought the vehicle from the dealers at Kia Wonderwaters, Braam Pretorius Street, Pretoria, South Africa.
I paid an amount of R 204 000 in cash. Icluded, according to the sales person, was 24 Hours Road Assistance (Which I had to contact for help 4 times in a period of 12 months), as well (or so I thought) a service plan (Which I only found out, after the 1st service, did not exist)
When I took the vehicle in for the 15 000 km service, they informed me that they had to replace the left front shock absorber, as it was leaking oil. On my request they also had to replace the release cable on the spare wheel. I had to wait 3 days before I could get my vehicle back. It was extremely inconvenient as I am living 35 km from the dealer and had no other transport. When I got the vehicle back, about 20km from the dealer I heard a snapping and "screeching" sound when I turned right. An engine warning light indicated that I had to inform a dealer immediately and after consulting Road Assistance took the vehicle back to Kia Wonderwaters.
I was then informed that it was a defective "knock sensor". The mechanic (called by the name Wimpie) was very rude and when I mentioned it to the workshop manager, I was told that Wimpie doesn't have people skills!!!
The very next morning there was a loud knocking noise under the left front side of the car and I found it difficult to keep it on the road. About 5 km from home, alone with 2 young girls, I had to call Road Assistance. They put the car onto a "flatt-bed" and took it to Kia Wonderwaters. Another mechanic informed me that the newly - replaced shock-absorber broke and had to be replaced. When I asked why, he said it is just "one of those things"
The same day, as I drove home, I heard a strange "rattle" and squeecking at the left front wheel. The engine warning light went on again! I, then, deceided to go to a dealer, called "Noise Boys" in Hatfield Plaza, Pretoria, that specialises in shock-absorber and ask them to help me. They were shocked when they saw the way that the "shock" was mounted - totally the incorrect way (without the needed rubber-mountings) On my request they phoned the workshop manager at Kia Wonderwaters to inform him of the negligence.
The manager (a very frienly young man) told me to bring the car back to Kia and promised to see that the problem is solved. I was then informed that they had to import the part and it would take
about 2 weeks. Meanwhile I just have to accept the "rattle" and squeecking!!!
After 5 weeks I took the car in for its 2nd routine-service and was informed that they were still waiting for the imported part! On my request they secured the front bumper, as it was loose.
On my way to the sea side (600km) from Pretoria I then discovered that the main head lights of the car was not working at all!!! (Was in perfect working condition before I took it for the servive!!!) I am now back from holiday with a 1 year old Kia Sportage that squeecks and rattles and with no lights!!!
It seems to me that every time I take the vehicle for a service
(a must for the guarantee) it is in worse condition than before.
So I pay them to make a mess of my car!!! And the worst of all is that they just laugh when I tell them that the vehicle is a bad advertisement for KIA.
Their, Kia Motors, motto is "Once a Kia owner, always a Kia Owner" is a joke!!!
L'anette
Pretoria
South Africa
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