[NewfieRock]

Hi Folks,

Just wanted to send an FYI out to others.

The dealership ordered new Shocks for my Borrego at the beginning of April, they still have not arrived. They were put on back order until June 8th, 2012.

I just got off the phone with the dealership, and now they are put on backorder indefinitely. Kia Canada won't actually put a date on sending the shocks to the dealership.

This is our main family vehicle, and I am so disappointed. The thing rides so rough that we have given up taking our kids in it for any extended period of time.

I am so disappointed in Kia as a company. I feel that I've made a huge mistake, and I've let my family down in deciding to purchase the Borrego. This vehicle is a 2010 model, and already I'm having trouble getting parts. Unbelievable. I wish I had known they were being discontinued. I never would have purchased it.

Anyway, sorry for the rant. Anyone looking at purchasing a Borrego, think twice, or buy 2 or 3 for parts.

 

[cobra259]

Call Kia corp and tell them all about it. 1-800-333-4KIA. That is the USA #, I'm sure they can give you a canada#. Also, if you have the part#, or front or rear shocks I'll look into it for you.

 

[NewfieRock]

I called Kia Canada. They are looking into the issue.

 

[NewfieRock]

I called Kia Canada again yesterday, still no ETA on the parts. The dealership put in an "emergency" order so that if parts become available they will receive them before other dealerships. The dealership did give me the part numbers but said that if they were shipped from teh US they would NOT be covered under warranty, not sure if this is actually the case. The part numbers are listed below:
- 546512J310
- 553102J310
- 553202J310

Any information would be a big help. Thanks.

Heading into the vacation season without my family vehicle, or any type of replacement in lieu of not having parts that should be covered under warranty is Not Good.

 

[cobra259]

Well those part #'s are not good #'s. I come up with...
54651-2J100 front shocks
55310-2J100 left rear shock
55320-2J100 r/rear shock.
As far as the USA goes, there are all in stock at the Kia parts warehouse's here.
They should of had them on a E order as soon as they found out they were on Backorder. Kia corp should be able to speed the order up! Call them back, give them the part #'s I have listed here, ask them to try to get them from the states.
Hope this helps!

 

[NewfieRock]

Thanks Cobra. I'll give that a try.

 

[NewfieRock]

I checked out the parts # situation, and apparently there were different model#'s of shocks for the Borrego, and apparently the 2010 V6 I have has the model # I posted. That's what I've been told by Kia Canada and from the dealership. They have to be shipped from Korea. Unfortunatley they are made in Korea and on backorder over there.

I don't know what to believe anymore. I do like the vehicle, but it's useless if I can't use it as a utility vehicle. I should have paid the extra 3-4 grand for a different brand. Oh well, lesson learned.

Thanks for trying to help Cobra I do appreciate it.

 

[cobra259]

Whats the problem with your shocks?

 

[NewfieRock]

The vehicle was riding very rough. Much worse than when it was first purchased. My son who is 4 was actually complaining that the bumps were hurting his neck. I know kids complain sometimes, but it is truly riding really rough. I understand it is more of a truck than a crossover, I grew up in a rural area I've had trucks before, and on bad roads, I understand.
I brought it in to get checked over. The senior mechanic there took it for a test drive, he agreed it was driving very rough, very 'violent' on minor bumps. He did an inspection of the vehicle and said the shocks needed to be replaced. he showed me the liquid/fluid stains on the shocks.
I am an IT Consultant not a mechanic, and I don't pretend to be. I make sure I get regular maintenance completed. I even get the break pads changed before they are totally worn out, just to save on the rotors. The service there at the dealership itself is good, there doesn't seem to be a quick turnover in staff, so I do have a certain level of confidence in the staff there.

 

[smokingcrate]

I have never seen a leaking shock that went stiff... Leaking obviously means the fluid is gone, and once that happens, shocks do nothing. The ride will be uncontrolled and bouncy, but certainly not stiff.

Not saying it can't happen, 'ya never know i guess.

 

[NewfieRock]

New ETA June 30th

Customer service said that a bunch of emails went back and fourth between Kia Canada and Headquarters in Korea, she didn't know what they said becasue it was all written in Korean Characters. So hopefully this will happen soon.

In all fairness, the lady at customer service for Kia Canada was very good to deal with, and she did her best, and followed up.

Smoking Crate: The ride is uncontrolled and bouncy, and it is banging hard on bumps, doesn't make sense to me either. Maybe the natural stiff ride, combined with the shock issue makes it seem worse, I'm not sure. All I know is that the ride is bad, a shock is leaking, I want it fixed, and it shouldn't take this long My wife is not happy and a Happy Wife = Happy Life!

 

[NewfieRock]

Update

Update: Recieved parts, installed yesterday. There was a noticable difference on bumps, vehicle's overall handling seems better as well. Rides like a truck now, not a dump truck.

Today I put new tires on as well, no major brand just motomaster total terrain a/t2 from Canadian Tire (supposedly made by goodyear). I was guaranteed if I don't like the tires after a couple of days of testing I could upgrade to michelins or goodyear. So far so good. I'll be happy with 2 seasons after which I will be getting Light Truck tires for towing.The new tires seem to absorb road bumps better than the Hakooks that were on there as well.

Next time the dealership orders a part for me I will follow up with Kia Canada right away, as it seemed to speed things up.

 

[cobra259]

Glad it all worked out for you!

 

[edwelly]

Thanks for the follow up. Glad t hear your Borrego is driving/riding like a Borrego now. BTW, when I put on new tires, there was a little difference in smoothness but not a night/day type of feeling.