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Broken key anyone?

77K views 34 replies 22 participants last post by  bikeham 
#1 ·
I've not posted for a while but am still living the dream.
Today my ignition key decided to fall apart. The blade bit has come adrift from the flip out bit and a small chunk of metal where the small roll pin goes through to hold it all together has broken off. It was a bit of fun turning the blade in the ignition with a pair of pliers and holding the other bit up to the lock to get the immobiliser to work until I could get to the office for the spare key.
It gets a fair bit of stick as I am stop/start all day long. I've rang kia customer services who say it's a " known problem", but as regards a warranty claim, "it's down to the individual dealer whether they want to replace it under warranty or not".
Struck me as a bit vague and I asked the guy for clarification but he just repeated what he had already said.
So my question is: have any of you guys had the same problem and if so what was the outcome?


Regards


Chris
 
#2 ·
I notice my key has a bit more play on the actual key itself and the blade than it used to, but I cant say that I have had the issue myself.

Out of curiosity, where is the immobiliser? is it just a case of holding it close enough for a near field signal to be transferred, or does it strike the signal through the key itself?

Do let us know what your dealer says, but I am disappointed in that it hasnt lasted long, either your key is the exception (I am sure everyone would hope that is the case) or this scenario doesnt bode too well for the build quality of the flip key...
 
#4 ·
It may be a couple of weeks before I can get near a dealer as there aren't any sort of local.
As regards the immobiliser, it's a proximity thing. The fob just has to be near the ignition switch and when the engine starts it can be taken away. It just requires two hands and a pair of pliers to get it started when the key breaks.
Will keep you posted.


Chris
 
#6 ·
Went into Lookers Kia in Stockport today. Told the (unusually) nice lady on the service desk what Kia had said and showed her the broken key.
She intimated something like" this is not covered under warranty, but we can apply for goodwill"
She filled out a form and asked me how many miles the car had done.
I signed the bottom of the form and she said she would contact me in 48 hours.
I asked how much a new key would be if we had to buy one and she said about £150 (OUCHEROONEY!!!!!) I told her boss man would not take kindly to paying that as he is not noted for his generosity, He'll have me drill it and put a screw in it before he pays that. Shrugged shoulders and " I'll give you a call next week"

Watch this space.

Chris
 
#10 ·
(unusually) Nice lady rang back today from Lookers in Stockport.
"Good news" says she "Kia have agreed to replace the broken key under warranty. Can you bring it in tomorrow at 1030 and we need it about an hour"
I wonder if I hadn't rung customer services first whether they would have been so accommodating. If I'd just gone in off the street with a broken key in hand would they have told me to sod off? I guess we'll never know.
Maybe they have had many keys break and many otherwise happy customers complaining about the quality, again we'll never know.
Anyhow a precedent has now been set, if anyone else's key breaks it's covered by warranty.......just tell em I sent ya.


Chris
 
#16 ·
Kia Warranty

(unusually) Nice lady rang back today from Lookers in Stockport.
"Good news" says she "Kia have agreed to replace the broken key under warranty. Can you bring it in tomorrow at 1030 and we need it about an hour"
I wonder if I hadn't rung customer services first whether they would have been so accommodating. If I'd just gone in off the street with a broken key in hand would they have told me to sod off? I guess we'll never know.
Maybe they have had many keys break and many otherwise happy customers complaining about the quality, again we'll never know.
Anyhow a precedent has now been set, if anyone else's key breaks it's covered by warranty.......just tell em I sent ya.

Chris
Yes Kia are pretty good on warranties. Had an intermittent quiet clutch noise when pulling away. Took it to my dealer and luckily the intermittent noise showed up when mechanic took it for test run. He got in touch with Kia. Complete new clutch fitted next day in less than 4hours no new parts just complete renewal Not sure how much that would cost, several hundred pounds I would think. Seems the dealer didn't want the KIA name tarnished and never consulted me on what work he was doing, thought it was in for clutch diagnostic but car was ready the next day after 4hours. Better service than on a brand new Golf I once purchased when window dropped down inside door.
 
#13 ·
Rio 2012 Same Problem

Broken Key, Had to leave the car at work so no car all weekend. It is not what I bought a new car for I know that ! Cheap shit = Kia that is all I can say wish I had not bothered to buy a brand new car from Kia more problems than I ever thought possible !:mad:
 
#14 ·
Vera, having owned 2 KIA models from new and been a member of here for 2-3 years I disagree with your post.
However, as you're a one-post-wonder who's apparently had loads of problems but never posted a damn thing here before, you're probably a troll & thus I don't give a flying monkey *LOL*
 
#17 ·
broken key

same problem with key that 'chris_ie' experienced.
61 plate pro_ceed purchased from arnold shark ford - but decided to go directly to kia dealer to see what they'd say.
no hesitation - new key supplied under warranty, and told it was a "known problem".
well done to springside motors for great service.
 
#19 ·
Kia Key Runaround

The metal pin on my Kia Soul key has become dislodged twice. The first time, I was able to find the pin, re-insert it, and use some tape to keep it in place. The second time, many months later, the pin came out without my knowledge and couldn't find it. Thankfully, I found the actual key part.

I took the key to the dealer, who put in a new pin. However, the metal hinge is cracking and showing signs of breaking.

So far, the dealer and the consumer hotline have said the key is not under warranty. A key under warranty? That's ridiculous. Keys are not supposed to break such as this one has. And the person at the dealer said that my situation was new to him. Of course, he is in sales and has worked there only 7 months.

I have had numerous problems with this dealer, from the get go. I will never buy from them again.

Waiting to see if the consumer help line comes through and does the right thing to replace its defective key. So far, Eden has been understanding and appears to be trying to see what she can do, but it's clear that Kia has a bureaucratic hierarchy.
 
#20 ·
Broken Key

Mindydollie, Go back to your agent as it is part of the car and not a consumable. Look on the internet and then tell them all car manufactures are suffering this problem, for the same manufacture is making them for all cars. With that information I claimed under warranty

Be carefull purchasing from E bay and getting someone to programe it for you as the programmer has your number and can enter your car anytime he wishes

On keyless car he can even drive off your car anytime he wishes
 
#21 ·
broken flip key third time

In just over a year I have had 3 keys break. When people come up to me and ask me how I like the car, I say the keys suck. I am fed up. I bought a car and I have to carry pliers to get my key out. The dealer pretends that I am the only one having a problem, but I see from this forum I am not alone.
 
#23 ·
Ceed key

My key broke on Friday while I was out shopping. Managed to get it sort of back together well enough to use. The blade broke off at the hinge bit - same as earlier post. Hoping the dealership will replace min under warranty. Don't drive every day and the key fob has not been mistreated and is in good condition. Any advice as to what to say to dealer to make sure they change it under the warranty please? Thank you.
 
#25 ·
I had a problem where the pin fell out of mine, luckily I managed to put it back in but noticed that there was a small crack which has caused the pin to be looser.

Replaced under warranty with no questions asked. What the dealer did say was that the fob itself is covered, but the blade is not.
 
#28 ·
Hi Good Day, I same thing happened with me also this morning and my key is broken I went to dealership in boksburg they have quoted me like R.2600/- and my car is only 97000 km so far they said if I have complete service history of the car so then only they can replace my key for free and I don't have full service history. I don't know what to do it hell of a price R. 2600/- for a key.
 
#30 ·
I saw the Service Manager this morning and while he said he has seen pins dropped out of the units before, he has never seen one broken.
While the electronics are covered via warranty, he believes my problem is caused by wear and tear and so not covered. He did have some broken keys that the electronics had failed but without breaking parts that are glued together on my keys, did not want to risk it

New keys are around A$300 plus each and I object to that so it looks like I will have to use some glue that goes hard and leave the blades permanently open.

So as you can imagine, not impressed with the quality of metal used in the hinge part.

This answer from the Service Manager has also been addressed to Kia Australia
 
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