This is a live review, I'm still in Wilson Kia Service Limbo.
I wish I could say I've had exceptional experiences here, but I cannot.
Service visits are always questionable. Something is off every time. I find a hard time trusting this establishment.
Service call backs from voice mail over 3 hours to respond, IF responded at all same day.
Coming from a BIG city region where there are as many as 5 KIA dealers in a 30 mile radius, this makes me sad we only have one here in Central MS
.
Current:
2017 Niro - still in warranty
2/4/2021 taken to service, NO HEAT. Service response = "coolant low, flush needed".
$181 procedure when a top off would have (purportedly) fixed the issue. Why was the coolant low in the first place hmm?
3/30/2021 taken to service, not quite 8 weeks later, same problem, NO HEAT. This time accompanied by OVERHEATING, and BLOWING WHITE SMOKE UPON ACCELERATION.
Service response = coolant low, needs thermostat, needs ?switch. Parts not on hand - need ordered.
Once again, where is the coolant going, and why did I have a flush when I really needed something more?
4/13/2021 Parts ordered and on hand, vehicle available to be dropped off.
Service response = you're going to have to wait another week, we're too busy.
4/19/2021 Finally dropped the car at Wilson Kia 0730 a.m.
Service response at 1700 p.m. same day = we ordered the wrong parts.
Thanks, took all day to figure that out.
Tuesday April 20, 2021, dropped car once again.
This time they installed the new thermostat and ?switch.
I picked up the car that evening and further inquired to the coolant and white smoke.
Service response = It was the thermostat causing the issue (no concern with my descriptions).
I have driven it a week now and I still smell coolant on the regular.
Dealer is claiming "normal" for a car my age. 2017 WTH?
Friday April 23, 2021, coolant is visually down in the reservoir.
Tuesday April 27, 2021, coolant now at the fill mark.
Thursday April 29, 2021, coolant below the ADD mark.
May 6, 2021, lots of white smoke again on the interstate, coolant reservoir nearly empty.
Stopped at dealer to top off missing coolant.
May 11, 2021, NO coolant left in the reservoir.
I now demand the car be looked at again.
May 12, 2021, dropped car at dealer to persue engine coolant issues.
May 19, 2021, afters 7 days of not hearing from the dealer I call for status. I’m told by the service advisor that they were “waiting” to hear back from the KIA Tech Line as to how to test engine for possible head gasket failure.
This was a LIE. KIA customer support later verified the Tech Line gave them instructions two days later on 5/14/2021. They’ve been “too busy” to continue to work on my car. It has become very apparent Wilson KIA is all about the revenue, not the warranty claims.
May 20, 2021, once again escalated with KIA customer care.
Nine days without a car. Nine days of my car taking up space in the outdoor lot at Wilson KIA.
Furthermore:
Okay, I'll keep this simple, although eventually I WILL put my whole Wilson Kia fiasco review here....and it's a long one that begins back in February 2021 and is still in Wilson KIA Limbo.
Lying. I've now caught your people lying to me ONCE AGAIN. Thanks to my access to KIA Customer Care notes you cannot hide your activities.
On 5/19/2021 after having my car in your shop since 5/12/2021 for severe coolant and white smoke issues, I called to seek status as this is my only transportation and it's been many days since anyone has had the courtesy to call me. I was told service was waiting to hear a response from KIA tech line as to how to proceed testing my engine. LIES!!!! KIA tech line responded to you on 5/14/2021 two days later. You folks are backed up in service big time. I DON'T CARE! I am the customer with a car under warranty that doesn't work! Your oil changes and miscellaneous service that bring you income is apparently more important. Not the first time I was blown off for weeks since this all began because you were too busy fixing cars for income, rather than warranty. It's all about the revenue at Wilson KIA.
The biggest lie of all was not only told to me by the Service Agent, but the Service Manager, and YOU yourself. "The head gasket may not be covered under warranty as it is not a moving part, but your third party extended warranty company might pick it up". LIES!!!! This is crazy, have you not read a KIA warranty book lately? It clearly states ALL engine internals, gaskets and seals are covered.
Another questionable response from the Service tech that I have not confronted again....yet. There is a loud crunching noise at the steering shaft pinion. First your tech couldn't duplicate. Go figure. So I took a video and presented to all of you. The Service Tech response? It's something in the REAR suspension. LIES!!!! This one has the whole internet laughing.
It's a FRONT WHEEL DRIVE car. NOTHING in the steering is connected to the rear suspension. FWD cars don't have a rear axle, the suspension is independent. Can't wait for the Service Tech to tip toe around this fact when I once again present the issue. I want it fixed by the way.
Undoubtedly there are more lies I have yet to uncover.
Yet.
