[Ian Malthouse]

Had the autobox changed on my Sorento and within a day bits started to rattle and fall off the underside of the car because the job was not done properly. :angry:

I really do think that KIA have a serious problem if this is a typical example of aftersales service from a franchised dealer and if it is, it will be a real shame as I think the potential for the Sorento to compete in the Discovery and Shogun territory as a tow car is going to be seriously undermined if true!

Updated 11/1/2005

Since the box replacement and ECU reprogramming the engine runs rough on cold start up for about 5 to 10 seconds and then settles (didn't do this before), fuel economy on mixed driving conditions appears to be 21mpg (slightly worse than before) but have only been able to monitor this on one tank full so far, so need a few more fillups to obtain more accurate results.

On a more positive note though, the economy for motorway driving has greatly improved over previous poor result of 24 mpg, as I managed to get an average of 33.5mpg for a trip of around 470 motorway miles last Friday (7/1) at around 70mph for the majority of the journey.

SO MAYBE NOT SUCH A WASTE OF TIME AFTERALL!

 

[Murphwiz]

I'm a bit ashamed by your experiences Ian, this is not typical I promise you!
Certainly wouldn't allow it in my workshop.

You have received bad workmanship, and a lack of support from your dealer, PLEASE call Kia UK asap, they are having a HUGE customer service drive, so you need to put your experiences and comments to them, and I hope you will be satisfied by thier actions.
Your Sorento experiences really are not the norm, ecu programming is a simple task, maybe the tech put the wrong injector codes in, either way get Kia onto it, get them to provide you with a proper replacement whilst you leave yours at a garage of your choice for it to be fixed correctly.

 

[iannrandall]

I must admit I do agree with Ian over the level of service from KIA dealerships.
It took my vehicle being in five/six times before they decided the imobilizer they fitted as an extra had been wirer in incorrectly, since I have put two/two together and in fact it was faulty and they changed it. I got to the point of demanding a replacement vehicle before it was sorted. Fair to them I got a tank of fuel and a bike carrier as compensation.
Like Ian (I have mentioned before) I have just had the gearbox/ECU recall. When I took it in on the agreed day I was met with a blank look as the person I spoke to on the phone had not actually booked it in.
I have only had a short drive in the vehicle so cannot comment to greatly. But seems to drive slightly better as in shift up/rpm. Mpg return I don't know yet? bearing in mind all our driving styles/urban areas are different, before I had got to about 27.6mpg. After a couple of tanks I will let Ian know what I am getting. It would be interesting if others could post an idea of the mpg return they get, nobody seems to get anyway near the KIA claims.
Still very happy with the Sorento but looks like some dealerships need to buck their ideas up? Is it fair to blame KIA or just British workmanship??

 

[jonno]

Sorry to hear about your experience. My dealer service and aftercare has been impeccable so far. I have also had dealings with Kia Customer Services who have always displayed the utmost professionalism.
It may be that there is some indifference in certain Dealerships due to the hourly rate paid for warranty work.
Seems a great pity that a superb product is being let down in this way.

 

[Murphwiz]

One problem maybe, Kia allow a VERY low time for recall work, with pratice, you can sometimes get under the time allowed.

Now I know it's no excuse, but Kia quote/pay 3.6 hours to replace the gearbox, every tech I've spoken to, not one has managed it under 6 hours.

 

[Ian Malthouse]

Originally posted by Murphwiz@Jan 6 2005, 08:25 PM
One problem maybe, Kia allow a VERY low time for recall work, with pratice, you can sometimes get under the time allowed.

Now I know it's no excuse, but Kia quote/pay 3.6 hours to replace the gearbox, every tech I've spoken to, not one has managed it under 6 hours.

Quoted post​

You are right, thats no excuse for letting a vehicle go out with what could potential have resulted in a serious problem, if the heat shield had actual dropped forward and dug into the road, due to its length it could have punched up through the floor of the car.

Anyway just done another check on the fuel economy today and yep you guessed it! ONLY GETTING AROUND 20 TO 21MPG on non motorway usage, which is worse than when the car was brand new. My drive to work is about 6.5 miles on uncongested A roads so the car isn't in low gears all of the time (mostly 5th)

I thought diesels were supposed to get better economy once they had run in, NOT WORSE!
Mine incidently has clocked up 6700miles

Any ideas as to what the possible problem could be?
My supplying dealer has checked the reprogramming of the ECU since the autobox recall and all software checks out correct.
Could it be a component out of spec like a valve or bearing, as the car does suffer from some intrusive metallic rattles from under the bonnet from time to time.

 

[Murphwiz]

Not had any complaints with fuel economy on Sorento's so far, your comment about metallic ratling from engine is interesting.
Seen a few sedonas with aparent 'pinking' (metallic rattling) which turned out to be a faulty ECU, vehicle drove fine in all respects.
If something was far out of spec, you'd get a check engine light, with modern emissions laws, the electronics keep a tight hold of things.
But 20mpg is just WAY to low!

 

[iannrandall]

I have just put my first fuel in since my recall which was a grand 45 litres for 263 miles on the same pump, using 4.54 litres to gallon I make that 26.5mpg. That is trundling around Norfolk with loads of gear changing as it's normally in the rush hours and traffic does not move that quick around here, average 45 mph.
Yes! after the ECU work I have notice that for the first 5 - 10 seconds the engine seems to be missing on start up then settles down, but that is on cold mornings, other times it is fine. I actually feel I have come out better off after the recall and the faulty immobiliser.
I look forward to getting away with the caravan on a decent run to see what my return on mpg is?