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Check the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act about "tie-in" sales. The dealer or Kia generally can't require you to have your service done at a Kia dealer.
On the flip side, loyalty to the dealer may pay off in other situations:
Understanding After Warranty Assistance
as for tires...depends.....I have an 03 Sorento EX and had to change the OEM Michelins out at 30K.....check the tires yourself using the penny method...lincolns head into the the tread....if the top of his head is visible..time to get new tires....the OEMs are not the same compounds as those you will get at a tire shop....Im running BFG long trail t/as now...and getting about 50-60K out of them....
Can you please tell me what was the part number of that cable??
1) Dealers and Issues involving the BBB or the State are pointless. Contacting corporate is tricky... But simply google for CEO names of KIA or their sister company Hyundai. You will find the corporate number under Hyundai.
When you call (say executive Bob Johnson). Simply say... This is Janet XYZ calling on behalf of Mr. Doe for Bob Johnson.
Normally when it's formal like that... The receptionist gets the impression that you are a secretary calling for your CEO or executive for their executive. When I did it, they put me RIGHT through and boy did he get an ear full.
DONT ACT UNPROFESSIONAL AND COMPLAIN!!! Simply stick to the facts, be very business like and be sure to let them know that you have already compilled all the data for the media. More than likely they will fix your issues VS that of having to be bad mouthed on your local TV consumer watch group and possibly lose 10-100,000 customers!
2) Headlights - I have blown headlights, parking light bulbs, etc. I found the contributing factor! You have too much air in your tires and more than likely you live on a bumpy road or have slow bumps that you drive over daily!
Since gas is so high... Don't let the air out! Just go to autozone and buy the proper bulbs. But be sure they have a LL designator! LL stands for Long Life and the filement is much stronger than a standard bulb.
Once I made that change with ALL LIGHTS (turn, bake, head, parking)... I have not had an issue.
3) Get rid of your factory air filter! It's junk and is terrible. Go get yourself a 20-25.00 code filter. Unscrew the thottle body hose that goes to your air box (two screws) and simply hose clam on the new filter to it. Then every month you can simply wash it out in the sink and re-oil it.
Sometimes the air filter oil may cause a trouble code with your MAP sensor. This is common... Simply get some electronics cleaner from rad shack and spray down your MAP sensor. It will get the oil off there.
You will notice TONS more power and your Sorento will have a nice sound to it! Plus if you add this and drive like a normal person... Your MPG will increase.
NOT recommended for very hot climates.
4) Watch your dealer like a hawk!!! They will wessle our of any warranty coverage in a heart beat! Know your rights before you go in there! If there are recalls, service bulletins, etc. Now your stuff before you see them.
5) If it's a standard KIA issue that is common on google... DEMAND a loaner car or tell them you will simply file suit in your county for the cost of your rental car. They will tell you that rentals and loaners are not covered by warranty. However if they don't want to cover it, just tell them you will submit the complaint to the feds and encourage others to do the same.
With that said... they can bite a 100 rental bill... Or end up with a recall on over 50,000 vehicles.
Do the math? They will normally provide you a loaner.
Overall... Try to be nice and polite. But be firm and stand your ground. If they start being butt heads... Then get all crazy on them, but remain professional and courteous.
Lastly... I built an HHO generator for my Sorento and doubled my MPG!!!!
Good luck to everyone and I hope my tips have helped.
==Zow
See if your third brake light above the glass is on.
If it is... It's your brake light switch that is located near the brake pedal.
This circuit should be fused... But it doesn't care if your key is on or not, right?
Normally those switches in most vehicles have a plastic plunger that can get bound up due to weather. Considering it's near the floor and is placed in direct path of cold air from vents or hot air from vents... I could easily see this occuring.
Try to wiggle the plunger free without force. If it pops out and the lights go off. That's your issue. Lube it up with something and see if that helps over the long run.
If it IS popped out and lights are on... See if you can disconnect the harness to that switch. if you unplug the harness and the lights go off, there is your prob. Go to the junk jard and get another switch... Or make one yourself that will mount there.
Good luck!
Vibration should not occur and is normally and indication of something lose.
If you DO have a leak... your fuel consumption should be through the roof! Very bad for your MPG.
Good luck
When I cornered him and said... Wait! Your telling me that KIA is holding the proprietary rights to the transmission fluid that forces me to pay this outrageous amount? Then he said... Ahhhh... It's this type of fluid, you just have to use the right stuff.
Yeah... What ever buddy!
You can have your service done by any "professional"... But make dern sure you keep ALL your receipts!!!!
if something goes wrong... The dealer will pull up your service record and deny warranty coverage because they have no record of 30K service! Then you have to appeal their decision and produce your receipts.
As with any shady company... I would keep a running ledger of every receipt for your vehicle! Bulbs, fuel, licenses, etc.
Also... I don't trust dealers as far as I can throw them! So if they ask to see your receipts, give them copies... Not the original folder! I could easily see them going into another room and taking some receipts out and trashing them just to be able to screw you out of money!
Obviously I have the standard 4 speaker/2tweeter system with no amplifier.
I can't find any schematics on the Sorento other than speaker wiring... But I saw a reference that the factory amp is installed under the seat.
My questions are:
1) In the higher models... Where is your stereo amplifier? Under drivers or pass seat?
2) Does anyone know if the LX has the wiring under the seat... It's just not used?
Also... keyless entry....
1) I want to go to the junk yard and purchase a keyless entry receiver for my sorento since it didn't come with one. Where is it mounted on the higher end units?
Remote Start:
1) has anyone installed a remote start on a LX 5 speed? If so, what model did you install and how difficult was it?
Six speakers:
I also read elsewhere that some models of Sorento have six speakers. Where are these extra speakers located on higher end models? I want to see if the wiring harness is already there on my LX.
Are hey inside the hatch back (rear gate door)? or on the sides near the trunk area?
Thanks all.
==Zow
Did you get if fixed?
Need help
Thanx
Eric
What parts did they replace to get the 4 wheel drive lights to go off? Did your overdrive come back?
I have same problem, but I dont understand your explanation
Thanx
the dealorship stated I needed new wiper arms since they were rusted I refused to have them changed last time since I stated that was not the problem. That dealorship refused to warranty the motor since they stated it was the arms freezing up the motor. I brought it to a none Kia dealor, they stated the motor was weak and to bring it back to them and told them to prove to me its the arms and not motor by disengaging the motor and seeing arms move freely. So I brought it to another dealor which stated its actually the wiper transmission and not the motor so therefore it was NOT covered by the warranty. My question is after they put in the new wiper transmission should I also fight to have them replace wiper motor under warranty since transmission more than likely also weakened the new motor? Also another kicker,they are now refusing to pay for loaner which they stated originally would be covered since this is not a warranty job. Please help Renee'
the pivits (the things the arms attach to) are covered by warrenty same time and milage as wiper motor assy ?
kia stinks most kia dealers stink also they think all customer are stupid
i will never purchase another kia product
the famous kia run around and lies !
http://www.theglt.com/sorento_recall.pdf
I will check with the dealer who did the work to make sure that the part they put in my car is this approved/improved part.
I thought I had a leak in the coolant reservoir again in my '03 Sorento (72,000 miles). I replaced the reservior at my buddy's garage. Then it leaked again.... coolant level was way low (below the LOW mark). I could see the coolant was dripping on the exhaust pipe.... like cooking oil in a hot pan.
I returned to my mechanic few days later and he found a leak in the coolant hose connector. The parts was like $40 but I paid $120 for labor. The leaking area was hard to see. The hose was even hard to reach. He had to remove the surge tank, windshelid wipers & motors, air filter box. Well, no more leak.
Can anyone help in regards to the air bag light being constantly on? What does this mean?
Thankyou for ur help
I replaced the timing belt (and drive belts) and did the 60,000 miles service at 64,000 miles last fall for my '03 Sorento. I paid $860 at a local shop. My mechanic also replaced the timing belt tensioner.
My engine light went on as well as hearing a knocking noise which became worse with accelerration. I chanced it for the 1& 1/2 hr commute home with fingers crossed. Brought it once place and they refused to work on Kia moter since so many problems. Luckily I read forum and another mechanic as well believes my problems are due to ICV. Luckily it is under warranty. for once luck on my side for this car. Its an 05 and I swear mechanics have this car more than I do. I tried to trade in my vehicle with a 3-5K trade in value on my 25 K vehicle. So basically losing my [non-permissible content removed]. Trying to keep it thru winter then buy car in feb. Unfortunately i dont think a 3 yr old car with make it. sad to say. I tried to do lemon and follow up on complaints but all they tell me is well it has a lot of miles. BULL [non-permissible content removed]. ITS ONLY 3 YRS OLD . I had a car prior to this that was 15 yrs old and all i had to do was put oil in it. Sorry for rampage. Question is can other mechanics do KIA warranty jobs?? If so, do I need to do anything? Had nothing but problems with Kia mechanics and having to bring car in numerous times for them to do a job correctly.
Good Luck :lemon:
fortunately I have a good dealership and have had nothing but good work done through them. I have an 03 sorento with 109K miles on it without any problems.
I don't find anything in the owners manual for my 05 Sorie that recommends anything about engaging the 4X4 system on a recommended basis.
Anyone got the answer about this? With my 2000 Sportage it did not recommend engaging the 4X4 unless you were off road.
Valve Sub Assembly (ICV).....as some would ingest a butterfly mechanism screw into the cylinders....sounds like what happened above....the recall has been out since May of this year.....for 03-04 and some 05 MY sories if Im not mistaken
This recall campaign is affecting Sorentos produced from 06/19/2002 to 04/21/2005. You can check your production date on the sticker located on the driver's side door jam. If you want to download the official PDF, right click and save as (10 pages long, about 2mb):
http://www.theglt.com/sorento_recall.pdf
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The repair shop told me that my problem was a spark plug wiring problem and so I had them fix that; fix the engine recall and to also replace the drive chain. In doing the repairs they said that they found a cracked radiator and so they fixed that. Then they said that the check engine light was on and found that there was a bent spark plug. So they had the car for 3 days to fix.
After the various fixes I found that it would jump from 1st gear to 2nd gear from a stop sign. It had harsh shift shock going up and going down gears. There is a 1 to 2 frequent delay from when I press the gas to when the car goes. I am nervous when I drive the car b/c it is dangerous and nonresponsive. I have taken the car back to the repair shop 3 times and have been told that it is fine and is exactly like the other Sorentos.
I went to Kia.com and complained to them there and got an advocate and phone number (800) 333-4542. My problem isn't resolved b/c I believe that I am being lied to from the repair shop and that they screwed up my car. I am hopeful that I will be able to get this resolved before I get killed in an accident or harm someone else.
I was at a stop sign on a hill two days ago. I pressed the gas and slid backwards. If there was a car behind me I would have crashed into it. Worse yet, if someone was walking behind me they would have been hurt. I national Kia and they told me that a rep drove in the car and that everything is up to factory spec and fine. I'm pretty disgusted with the problem that people can't tell when a car goes directly from a stop into second gear with a learch.
So I have to bring it to another shop and hope and pray that they can diagnose and fix the problem before someone gets hurt. :sick:
Thanks much.
The car is still in the shop. Kia initially told me that it was ok and was going to send me out the door. I then told them to fix the dome light. Then low and behold they find that there is an electrical short and have had the car in the shop since 9/2. My problems with the car being in the shop for over 30 days in the last 3 months is a joke around the office about Kia quality.
I call the service department daily about the car and then he tells me another thing that they will try to find the electrical problem. Then he tells me that he will call me later in the day and never does. :sick:
This problem and service that I have received over the past 3 months is the first time that I have regretted purchasing a Kia. :lemon:
Bought a new one in the Dominican Republic and it is only in Spanish.
Thanks,
Scott