Antifreeze smell and wet carpet? 2013 Sorento

[Easy]

Hello everyone,
I'm having an issue already with my 2013 Sorento. It started last week when I backed out of my garage. There was wet spot on the garage floor that seemed strange to me. Living in Arizona, I am used to A/C condensation dripping, but there was a second puddle....farther back, and more toward the driver's side. Upon investigation, this second puddle smelled like antifreeze. I am no mechanic, but when I looked under the hood, the antifreeze was between L and F in the holder. So I called the dealer, and they scheduled an appointment. Well today when I was leaving Albertsons I had the A/C on full blast, and the overwhelming smell of antifreeze filled the car. I rolled the window down to vent it out as I drove home. When I got home the carpet on the passenger side was damp and reeked of antifreeze. I didn't notice any difference in the coolant level in the holder when I got home. What is going on with my car? It is a 2013 LX with just over 1,300 miles on it. Is it safe to drive it to the dealer for my appointment on Wednesday? I am a little bit disappointed, as this is my first new car in almost 30 years, and after meticulously caring for my previous two cars and not having any issues, I'm scared I may continue to have problems with this car? What could the problem even be? Thank you for any replies.

[GregsKia]

It sounds to me like a heater core issue. If you are afraid to drive it, you could call Kia Roadside and have it towed to the dealer. Probably just a bad part from the factory. Warranty should cover it.

[Wry 'Cuda]

I know how you feel. You pay $XXXXX for a new car and you expect it to be right. But no reason why the rest of the car will be unreliable.

Your problem is almost certainly a leaking heater as GregsKia suggets, and it will be easlily fixed (But check for fit and finish of the dash and verify that other controls/gauges are working after the fix). I'd be a bit worried about the coolant smell in your new car, and if the dealer will address this. Coolant is not toxic unless you drink it, but you wouldn't want to keep smelling it inside the car. Check for fit of cleaned/new carpet.

[Easy]

Well I drove the Sorento to the dealer for my appointment this morning. After an hour in the shop, they told me that the heater core outlet pipe had a hairline crack in it from where the heater hose connects in the engine bay, all the way down to the core body itself. When I asked what would cause this they told me it was most likely a defect in the manufacturing process of the heater core, and was nothing I personally could have caused. Apparently this is a part they had to order and is on "national back-order"? I obviously can't drive the car, and the dealer refuses to provide me a loaner. I don't drive very much, but I just paid over $20,000 for a vehicle that is going to be sitting at the dealer for an indefinate period of time? I was not offered anything in terms of compensation from the dealer. Does anyone have any suggestions? It cost me almost $40 in cab fare to get home from the dealer. Not very happy, and starting to regret my purchase

[RentoEX]

That is totally not cool. For a defective part that causes you to not be able to drive the vehicle, you must DEMAND a loaner. That is unacceptable. I got a loaner when my Sorento had a small oil leak. Call Kia corp and let them know whats going on.

[davidmiller]

Wow - I would have sworn they had to provide a rental if it is in for a warranty issue like that. Have you tried calling another local Kia dealer to get their take on that? I would call Kia as well. That is bogus.

[roggss]

OT question.. would other dealer really entertain/accommodate you, knowing you didn't purchase the car from them? what is their benefit of having you if in case?

[dmitry]

why not ? They will earn money on KIA

[Easy]

Thank you everyone for your responses. I will be calling Kia corporate first thing in the morning. I think the dealer might be taking advantage of me, being a somewhat elderly person. Not sure what Arizona law is on warranty and loaner cars. Hopefully someone at Kia corporate will be able to figure it out and direct me in the correct path to go from here. So far I've been a little bit dissatisfied with the whole process of buying this vehicle. The Sorento was the only modern vehicle that caught my attention with its feature to value ratio and great ride height and handling. Every dealer in this area has me a little bit turned off after giving me low offers on my trade. The dealer I bought it from gave me the most for my trade, and it was the closest to my house, so I made the deal. I love the car so far, but I don't want future problems. This is a retirement vehicle for myself and my wife, and the last vehicle we plan to purchase. I will keep everyone informed as to what is happening when I know more.

[RentoEX]

I'm sure it will treat you great once this is sorted out. Seems like a fluke manufacturers defect. Still unacceptable that you had to pay for a cab and are being denied a loaner. Let us know how the phone call goes.