April Initial purchase of vehicle
May 11
Mileage 9593
Replaced front rotors and pads on vehicle
Replaced rear drums
Preformed under warranty
Oct 24
Mileage 21061
Replaced front rotors and pads under warranty
Paid to have rear brakes Re-adjusted
Nov 6
Mileage 22025
Had both front rotors and rear drums turned for overeating and warping
as required by certified Kia Technician
Paid $226.85 saying these were no longer covered by warranty
Dec 12
Back in for service on this date.
4th repair attempt as directed by Kia Motors
When asking for the service manager as directed to do so in your letter dated December 5 I was told it was not necessary and they were going to fix the brakes again. The front rotors and pads were replaced again and the after a test drive, they had also decided to machine the rear drums again in order to stop the vibrations.
Dec 12
Mileage 24015
Had both front rotors and rear drums turned for overeating and warping
as required by Kia service department
Dec 15
Sent certified letter to Kia Motors that was signed for on 12-19-06
Stated repairs are only fixing the broken parks, not the problem of vehicle
Jan 5
Called Kia Motors. Left Voice mail for Yasmine Epps requesting a return call
Feb 17,207
Independent ASE certified mechanic states front rotors are warped and glazed while doing oil change.
Recommends turning rotors and replacing pads
Feb 17
Sent Fax to Yasmine Epps detailing ASE certified mechanics diagnosis of warped and glazed front rotors.
Fed 21
Received a letter from Kia Corporate after notifying that the 5th repair is now in order. Kia will not repurchase our vehicle and will only continue to honor the warranty.
Called Yasmine Epps and left a voice mail stating frustration.
Called Kia of Blue Ridge spoke with Kim. She was going to call Yasmine and get back to us. She left Yasmine a VM as well. Will follow up.
Asked to bring the vehicle back into dealership for their mechanic to perform and inspection.
Mar 2
Mileage 29448
Kia Dealership verifies that vehicle once again needs new rotors, drums and pads
Mar 5
Another fax sent to Yasmine Epps requesting action for defective brakes.
Mar 13
Spoke with Yasmine Epps again about my vehicle. She kindly informed me that they will not do anything for our vehicle.
There have bee several voice mails prior to this conversation. None have even been returned.
Spoke briefly with Yasmine's supervisor (Kevin Williams) and he got her on the phone to talk me and she informed me that KIA will do nothing for our vehicle.
Mar 14 Reported problem to NHTSA.
Left message for Kevin Williams to call me. Never called back.
March 16
Left another message for Kevin Williams to call me. Never called back.
Yasmine will not answer her phone.
Informed Kim at Lifetime Kia that I am going to start a protest and website as well as contact an attorney
Scheduled 5th brake repair for 3-23-07 @ 3:30
I was informed it will cost about $720.00 for the repair.
March 20
Left messages for both Yasmine Epps and Kevin Williams to please return my call or email me. - No response.
Statements from Kia and the dealership attest that the first 3 repairs and a defective brake rotor and the 4th repair was made with a revised part made of a different material. I was still charged for one of these defective repairs. They claim that the 4th repair was made with a revised part consisting of a new material. Even though the problem of overheated and warped rotors still exists, Kia maintains the opinion that it is no longer a defective part and therefore will not offer any assistance. Kia also maintains that this problem is only occurring in areas with steep terrain or lots of stop-and-go traffic By this statement, they know there is a problem, but since it is only effecting a few people, they will not stand behind their product.
Kia has offered me a trade-in value of $9,000 (about $8K less than what I paid for it less than a year ago). Stating it would be cheaper for me to buy a new one than to keep replacing the brakes on this one. Why should I have to take a $8K loss to buy another vehicle b/c they cannot seem to figure out why the brakes keep warping on mine and 3 others families that I personally know of?
Dan
Whittier, North Carolina
U.S.A.
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