We have a 2005 Sorento that since almost new has had a highly intermittent shifting problem in the defective manual transmission.
We have documented several times via telephone and by certified letters to Kia Motors America Inc. When we asked, Kia denied any other documented cases of our problem.
Even though we have confirmed that we are not an isolated case at the dealer and this problem is a serious safety issue Kia Inc. Refuses to honor their warranty and will not replace our transmission (or anyone's with this exact problem). For the record, the dealer has been extremely courteous and professional but we understand their hands are tied due to corporates indifference.
We are not surprised that Kia has not duplicated the intermittent shifting problem during test driving but that does not mean it does not exist. Kia will not accept responsibility for their vehicle. Kia Inc. Is "dropping the ball" big time.
Keep in mind that we are dealing with a defective component that impairs the safety of our vehicle and endangers our lives. (We are not talking about just a luxury item i.E. Clock, cd players etc.)
Kia dealers have informed us that very few manual transmission Sorento's are sold in the USA so our problem is appearing in very limited numbers. Perhaps too few for a defect to become apparent. If more consumers were complaining of their unsafe vehicles due to defective transmission then Kia would be forced to give this problem the immediate attention it deserves. A recall begins with just one consumer's complaint.
We are sickened by their non-solution to our problem. We have documented repeatedly with Kia Inc. That our Sorento is an unsafe vehicle and should not be allowed on the road until it's defect has been corrected. As far as Kia is concerned the problem does not exist.
Kia's message to us is that they do not value our safety in a vehicle they manufactured. DISGUSTING!
If the situation were reversed the very same Kia Inc. Staff adamantly refusing assistance to us would understand how frightening it is to be driving our unsafe Sorento and would insist that Kia Inc. Take full responsibility and immediate action to correct the problem. I seriously doubt they would accept Kia Inc. Telling them there is nothing they can do to help them. If those same Kia Inc. Employees were behind the wheel of our unsafe Sorento with their families including their young children or young grandchildren maybe they wouldn't be so quick to deny that the problem exists.
Here is what happens when we are driving our Sorento: intermittently, suddenly we can not shift gears at all and of course, the vehicle will not move at all. It has happened upshifting in first pulling away from lights and pulling out into traffic and upshifting and downshifting in higher gears. We have been in the middle of intersections, in city traffic and highway driving. We immediately turn on our emergency flashers and wave other drivers around us while they are honking, yelling, and slamming on their brakes to avoid hitting us. We repeatedly try to shift gears and finally get it to shift again and move to safety. Very unsettling to say the least.
My wife is afraid to drive our vehicle and I fear for her, my children and young grandchildren, as well as my own safety. Every time we make a left turn or pull out into traffic we wonder if this is the time it will happen again. Driving is stressful enough without this added dangerous burden!
We are absolutely shocked and disgusted at Kia Motors Inc.'s unacceptable customer service. We are not being unreasonable by asking for a replacement transmission. At this point we should be asking for a replacement vehicle! We don't even know if a replacement transmission will be defect free or have the same problem but we have only asked for new transmission.
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