Ihatekia2

[IHATEKIA2]

If you are thinking of purchasing a Kia vehicle DON’T DO IT!!
I thought I would get away from old Junkers and for once buy a “newer” car so I wouldn’t be hounded for repairs all the time, WRONG!!!
I bought a used 2003 Kia Sedona for $8,000.00 in September of 08, I wanted to do a tune up and oil change. We found out to do a tune up you have to remove the whole fuel injection system just to change the rear spark plugs. We drove it for a month and the check engine light came on! (That’s when the nightmare started) We had the codes read and it said the Mass air flow sensor and the knock sensor were bad. We replaced the mass air flow sensor and reset the computer. We thought the one sensor might be tripping the other sensor. WRONG!! The next day the engine light came back on, again we had the codes read. It said the knock sensor was bad and one of the pre-cats was now under the threshold. We had the knock sensor replaced (we had to remove the whole fuel injection system to get to it) pretty much the whole top of the motor.

We made an appointment with the Kia dealer because the cats were still under warranty (so we thought) We now find out that we had to have a 60,000 mile service and tune up for the warranty to be honored. We have a personal mechanic friend (that works at a certified shop) and had him service our car on his own time. So, we don’t have a warranty at all now because Kia refused to replace the cats without a service receipt from a business. The Kia dealer computer now says both pre-cats are bad and now also needs a $500.00 “induction motor” replaced. The very next day (after Kia hooked it up to its computer) the f****** airbag light is now on! The book says “see a Kia dealer right away” Tell me just how an airbag wears out or needs to be serviced? This is totally ridiculous and a fraud, I really don’t think the parts are worn out or bad! I truly believe Kia has set all these things in motion with the computers in their cars and the dealer computers to bilk everybody out of thousands of dollars in very expensive and timed repairs. I bet they can even set their clocks and bank deposits by it! No joke!

Stay far far away from Kia!!

[Pacosworld]

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

If you are thinking of purchasing a Kia vehicle DON’T DO IT!!
I thought I would get away from old Junkers and for once buy a “newer” car so I wouldn’t be hounded for repairs all the time, WRONG!!!
I bought a used 2003 Kia Sedona for $8,000.00 in September of 08

Man, sounds like someone got you good. Did you buy it from a used car lot or a Kia dealer? How many miles did it have when you bought it? Are you the 2nd or 3rd owner?

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

We found out to do a tune up you have to remove the whole fuel injection system just to change the rear spark plugs.

Join the club. My 2000 Dodge Grand Caravan has 3.3L that I have to remove part of the alternator mount, the intake plenum and the wiper motor just to replace the plugs. Seems unfair, but its one of those things you look for when you purchase a vehicle. If you removed the fuel injectors or fuel rail to replace the spark plugs, then I'd say you worked too hard.

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

We drove it for a month and the check engine light came on! (That’s when the nightmare started) We had the codes read and it said the Mass air flow sensor and the knock sensor were bad. We replaced the mass air flow sensor and reset the computer. We thought the one sensor might be tripping the other sensor. WRONG!! The next day the engine light came back on, again we had the codes read. It said the knock sensor was bad and one of the pre-cats was now under the threshold. We had the knock sensor replaced (we had to remove the whole fuel injection system to get to it) pretty much the whole top of the motor.

Yeah, replacing knock sensors suck. So does wear and tear or lack of proper maintenance by previous owners, but it happens.

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

We made an appointment with the Kia dealer because the cats were still under warranty (so we thought) We now find out that we had to have a 60,000 mile service and tune up for the warranty to be honored. We have a personal mechanic friend (that works at a certified shop) and had him service our car on his own time. So, we don’t have a warranty at all now because Kia refused to replace the cats without a service receipt from a business. The Kia dealer computer now says both pre-cats are bad and now also needs a $500.00 “induction motor” replaced.

I would have thought 8 years/80,000 miles federal emissions warranty would have covered the cats. Not sure what they're talking about the induction motor. Maybe they mean the throttle body. I would have the dealer define "60K service" and show you where in the owners manual it is stated it had to be done. The spark plugs and timing belt are due at 60K. The best thing about owning a vehicle is being able to get a 2nd opinion. If you don't believe it needs repaired, get another opinion.

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

The very next day (after Kia hooked it up to its computer) the f****** airbag light is now on! The book says “see a Kia dealer right away” Tell me just how an airbag wears out or needs to be serviced?

Well, you have impact sensors everywhere in the vehicle, seen those fail occasionally. A discharged battery can cause a airbag code. Could be some of those things.

Originally Posted by IHATEKIA2

This is totally ridiculous and a fraud, I really don’t think the parts are worn out or bad! I truly believe Kia has set all these things in motion with the computers in their cars and the dealer computers to bilk everybody out of thousands of dollars in very expensive and timed repairs. I bet they can even set their clocks and bank deposits by it! No joke!

Stay far far away from Kia!!

All in all, it could be a combination of lack of proper maintenance and just plain bad luck. But if you don't believe the parts are worn or defective, don't replace the parts. Get a second opinion and make your choice. FYI: Keep an eye on the rear heater coolant lines for leaks at the mounts (if they weren't already replaced before). Good luck.

[KIAOwnerX3]

You bought a used car and ended up with problems. You ALWAYS take chances with used cars -- especially if you don't know the prior owners. You have no idea how they treated the car.

Just to give you and idea about care...my 03 Sedona has only gone to the dealer for warranty work once -- for the front passenger door inside handle -- and it was damaged by my brother-in-law, not a Kia fault. It had one recall on the throttle cable. Other then this the oil is changed regularly. I'd say it has been a very dependable car to own.

[Spec SX]

I have owned Kias for years and have had no issues. And I know many other Kia owners that have had no issues as well. Sounds like your Sedona wasnt treated well by the previous owner(s).

[Dman1458]

I would have to agree. I have had 3 KIA's and have not had one problem with any of them. All 3 were bought brand new. Oil, light diode, fuel sending unit tires and oil are all I put in any of them.