Problem: Pulling to the right

[wheelspin1]

This topic seems to have gone cold... Just though I would bring it to the forefront again incase there are any updates.

[paholler]

Problem Solved!

After several trips to the dealer, calls to Kia of North America, and headaches the problem is fixed. Kia installed cam bolts in the rear and it will now adjust in spec. Note: the spec range for this vehicle has now changed from -1.5 - 0.5 to -1.0 - 0.5.

Word from Kia's regional office in Atlanta is that this repair will go out in a TSB (finally! why can't Kia Canada and Kia America cooperate???) and, possibly, a recall.

With this, and the A/C noise fixed (see other thread), I am now very pleased with the performance, handling, and general quality of my Rondo.

[rangav]

Very nice to hear this news. I will give a call to Kia and Dealer later this week to find out the status on my case. Thanks.

[areyou4real]

This thread has been great. I've been following it with interest since my 2007 EX V6 with ~6000 miles is slightly pulling to the right. I don't remember it during the test drive, so I think it has developed over time. Anyway, the pull is starting to get very annoying especially on the highway and straightaways.

For the people that had this issue solved, I was wondering if you could clarify a few things for me?

Did your dealer progress thru the TSB (Print Preview) step-by-step or did they go right to an alignment check? The closest KIA dealer is an hour away and I don't want to make anymore trips than I have to. I want it corrected the 1st time.

What was specifically out of alignment? Front, back, right, left? Camber, caster, toe?

It is my understanding that camber is not adjustable from the factory. Thus, the fix is to enlarge the holes to allow adjustment. However, now it appears that KIA has made a special part to allow adjustment without hole enlargement? What is that part? A special bolt? A modified knuckle? Please advise.

Thanks,
Steve

[rehoman]

It appears that we are now (for the first time) close to a formal acknowledgement from Kia that this problem even exists. There may even be a special part that fixes it, and even a wonderful Technical Service Bulletin. If you look through this thread, there has been much frustration, and no resolution that could be shared with other owners, until maybe now. PAHOLLER, I'm glad you consider the problem solved, but I will remain skeptical until I see the TSB, and a few other owners proclaiming "Problem Solved".

I want to buy a Rondo, but am content waiting until we're all sure. C'mon Kia, how hard can it be?

[wheelspin1]

I've been waiting for the outcome of this one too, alas I think I've run out of time... I need to get something soon, so the Rondo just may miss the boat for me which is tooo bad

[rehoman]

Alas, there is little interest in this subject anymore. Maybe everyone affected sold their Rondos and the new owners haven't found this forum. Maybe the problem isn't as real as we thought and the owners have accepted their cars as they are. These concerns can be contagious. Maybe the problem doesn't really exist in any meaningful quantities. Does anyone remember the Audi "unintended acceleration" issue? Turns out it never existed.

Those of us hoping to buy a Rondo are forced to ask ourselves the Dirty Harry question: "Do ya feel lucky?"

[Supacabby]

Originally Posted by wheelspin1

I've been waiting for the outcome of this one too, alas I think I've run out of time... I need to get something soon, so the Rondo just may miss the boat for me which is tooo bad

So what do you think is going to be a better bet then? Just because a small portion of owners have a (justified) compliant doesn't make the Rondo a no brainer! EVERY car has some kind of problem during its lifetime, it so happens we have a bunch of passionate owners who share their experiences & info for others on this forum, would you get the same (informed) information about a Ford or Mazda I wonder? Remember manufactureres are very keen to 'play down' any hint of problems with their vehicles!

Just to play devils advocate for a moment: I had a problem with my Kia, it was vor for 12 days, ($hit happens) however after some (polite) dialogue with KIA UK I have been offered 2 complete foc services to include a set of both front & rear disks/pads which are due (appx value £500-600), I can assure you I never got any kind of offer when my previous Skoda was also vor within the 1st year of its life, I got told it's the luck of the draw!

If you think you can get a better vfm vehicle in this sector then I wish you well with your choice, just think your allowing 1 issue to cloud your judgement!

*The above thoughts are not necessarily those of the management!*

[Narvo]

My problem was fixed but its back. I was skeptical about the fix and now I am back to square one. I have notified the dealer it is back but I have not returned it to them as of yet. As well, they never heard of any camber bolts to solve this problem. I would like to see the US TSB for this. Ironically, there was another owner complaining about a pulling issue when I was there yesterday to pick up a cargo liner and bumper protector and she was not driving a Rondo, it was another Kia model. The next step for me on the the TSB flow chart is tire replacement. I also have a wheel shimmy at highway speeds and rattling noise in the right front on rough roads.

[wheelspin1]

I was at another KIA dealer today and mentioned my concern over this issue, and they claimed they were not aware of the issue. Then the proceded to go speak to there service manager who came back claiming that they found the problem was related to a tire pressure issue which they remedy by using Nitrogen. According to this specific dealer this resolves the problem. Anyone out there who can argue to the contrary??

Not that I believe this is a resolution as the number of drivers out there using nitorgen is pretty slim, and unles the vehicle was designed to use nitrogen and not air it should not be having this issue.