There are some things in automotive possession that make your abdomen drop. It might be an engine gentle approaching, a sudden breakdown, or worse but, watching your brand-new automotive puff out smoke proper after a routine service. However what if the actual subject isn’t slightly 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 became one thing way more regarding. This morning, I encountered Amy’s story via 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 obscure reassurance that the engine was high-quality, and a suspicious request to keep away from finishing the service survey.
Here is what she wrote in full: “I would like some recommendation please. I obtained an oil change at a KIA dealership, drove off, and about an hour later heard a steel clunk beneath the automotive. Then it began smoking. I pulled over and a bunch of oil was on the bottom. I Instantly known 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 obtained the ‘I am actually sorry.’ I requested in regards to the engine blowing and steel fragments they usually instructed me that I’ve a ten yr/100,000 mile guarantee so if the engine goes out, it is going to be changed and if it was going to occur, it might anticipate 10/100,000 to go dangerous. This complete state of affairs shouldn’t be sitting nicely 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 adjustments for the lifetime of the automotive. Folks additionally instructed me to contact a lawyer as a result of this may trigger severe harm. What do you all suppose?”
Pink 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 car. 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 indicators a purple flag.
Some group members wasted no time chopping to the core of the problem. Mandy Cobb didn’t mince phrases, saying, “I might contact a lawyer.” That single sentence displays a rising sentiment amongst clients who really feel dealerships aren’t all the time trustworthy or forthcoming after they know they’ve tousled. Authorized illustration isn’t only a menace, however a essential line of protection generally.
Oliver G. Hardley took a extra proactive stance: “Demand a brand new motor on your automotive 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 thing, file a declare, and go to the highest in case you should.
Danny Goncalves added one other layer: “I simply hold listening to horror story after horror story with Kia. Man, I ought to have caught with Honda.” That comparability displays the rising pressure between Kia’s latest good points 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 unsuitable guess.
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 check drive doesn’t all the time assure worry-free possession.
A Deeper Downside?
Steve Spicer added a dose of realism: “Too early for lemon regulation. It takes 3 repairs on the identical subject getting the producer concerned at every step. Insure it nicely and drive it like a rental and see what occurs subsequent.” His recommendation is pragmatic but additionally irritating. It implies that the one option to see in case your brand-new automotive is a dud is to attend and hope it breaks once more. That’s a bitter capsule for anybody who simply made their first or second automotive buy.
There’s additionally the bigger subject of how guarantee security nets at the moment are getting used as company shields. Kia service facilities could technically repair the problem beneath guarantee if the engine fails, however what if the harm isn’t rapid? What if an absence of oil brought about untimely inner put on that doesn’t present up till after the powertrain protection ends? In these circumstances, the client may be left holding the bag years later, particularly if the dealership didn’t doc the problem truthfully within the service data.
That precise nervousness is what many homeowners are starting to specific on-line. Whereas the 2025 Kia K4 has been described because the form of automotive 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 in fact, then it taints every thing that automotive might need represented.
When the Guarantee Isn’t Sufficient
Kia’s 10-year/100,000-mile guarantee has all the time been a serious promoting level. It reassures consumers that even when one thing goes unsuitable, they’re coated. However on this case, the guarantee grew to become a part of the deflection. As a substitute of specializing in fixing the rapid 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 anticipate till the automotive 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 experience, impartial rear suspension, and premium really feel for the worth. However once more, none of that issues if the dealership doesn’t take possession critically 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 harm from rodents, leading to 1000’s of {dollars} in harm. The dealership stated it wasn’t coated beneath guarantee, since most of these damages aren’t usually coated. That too felt like one other instance of shifting duty onto the client although.
So I believe tales like this do make one factor clear: regardless of how good a automotive appears to be like on paper, the actual possession expertise is outlined by what occurs with who you belief along with your car. Plus, if manufacturers are going to supply a class-leading guarantee like Kia, you then want a community that stands by it truthfully and never one which dances round accountability, hoping points get swept beneath the rug.
Key Takeaways
- If one thing goes unsuitable proper after a service, doc every thing. Photographs, tow data, dealership notes, and time of day data may prevent later.
- Don’t let obscure 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 grow to be a crutch that permits 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 unsuitable proper after a seller service? Did they take duty or attempt to downplay it?
And what’s your tackle the K4 up to now? Do you suppose it has the potential to really compete with long-standing favorites just like the Civic, or are there nonetheless too many issues to miss?
Let me know what you suppose within the feedback under.
Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist bringing a contemporary perspective to his protection of the evolving automotive panorama. Comply with Aram on X and LinkedIn for every day information protection about vehicles.
Picture Sources: Kia Gallery
