recall completed, less than a thousand miles later vehicle won't start.

[docmogas]

Okay so this is going to be a long post but want to explain as well as possible. So background is that I purchased a 2021 Stinger GT in December and got the safety recall completed at about 5200 miles. Before that I have had zero issues, as expected with a new car, and had really been loving this car. Then less than a thousand miles later when i was driving home from work the auto stop tried to initiate at a stop sign when I noticed it immediately turned back on without applying the gas or letting of the brake. at the same time i lost all power to my infotainment, windows and locks. I was able to drive home but was only like a minute away anyhow. After that the car wouldn't start at all but as it was late Saturday knew i would have to wait until Monday to get it to the dealership but tried to call ahead anyway. That was the first time they sounded like they would be less than thrilled to take my car as they told me it would be at least a week and half until they could make an appointment. That change once I told them I was only at 6000 miles and 5 months off the lot. So that Monday before I got it towed I was actually able to get the car to start by holding down the ignition for about 10 seconds. Still no infotainment, windows or locks. At this point I immediately headed to the dealer as the closest one is about an hour and twenty minutes away. So was on my way trying to go no faster than about 65 mph just incase, but noticed in addition to the other systems offline the cruise control wasn't working as well. Made it about 25 minutes down the road when I lost power steering as well and just about every warning light in the car came on. Wasn't feeling to great about this so pulled over after about a minute and the car shut off on its own. So get it towed to the dealer, which KIA did take care of, which once again they seemed less than thrilled to hear the various faults. they said to give them about a week which I did not calling until the following Tuesday at which time I called and was told they were still troubleshooting. I then waited to call again until that Friday, so 2 full weeks with my car, and they couldn't give me an update and had to call me back later. When they called the update was that they basically had no idea other than some power issue and still couldn't even get the car to start. They also stated that they were only sporadically working on it as it didn't come in on an appointment. To which I thought at what point to you quit using that as an excuse and start scheduling time to work on it, but anyways. At this point I asked when I should start being concerned that there was no progress to which they replied I could feel free to contact corporate and could expect an update no earlier than the next Thursday, almost 3 weeks with the car.
So I called KIA customer service like they dealer suggested. Initially they were a little stand offish as well saying that they couldn't get involved until the dealer actually found a fault. I then asked at won't point does that stop making sense if its already been 2 weeks and they say at least another week until they might have an update. So at that point they opened a work order and said they would call the dealer Monday, tomorrow, and would call me Tuesday. So we'll see what happens.
I guess I'm seeing if anyone has experienced anything like this and am I being impatient? Or any suggestions on anything that could possibly help as I'm starting to lose faith that this situation will end well.

 

[Luc343]

I think part of the problem is they get paid much less for warranty work and that's why it has low priority.

I'm sorry to hear this, but I have read others also have had some bad experiences also. It is a pitty that corporate does not value there reputation much, otherwise they would jump on issues like these quickly.

 

[7Andrei7]

What was the safety recall about? Sounds to me like your battery ran out of juice and the engine is not charging it anymore.
I once had very similar symptoms with my car (about 14 years ago) and the alternator had been fried and the battery was slowly draining.
First it was non essentials that stopped working (head unit), then headlights and in the end it would not start.

 

[docmogas]

No battery was fine. Recall was too replace the fuse box of I remember correctly.

 

[Random386]

No battery was fine. Recall was too replace the fuse box of I remember correctly.

Unless they messed it up, I wouldn't think that would be a issue. I'm assuming your talking about the engine fire recall near the front fuse box. I had mine done a few months ago, roughly 6-8k miles put on since.

Even so I would look into loaners so you still have a car, lemons laws if they don't show any progress in x time.

Everything below is anecdotal n ranting.

Ngl, kia experience is shitty. Only reason I can get my requested work done and bypass the its not under warranty or your a emergency appointment is because I know the owner since I was a toddler.

Owned and still have in the family German cars and they are expensive but I don't have to deal with extra drama. My worst experience was a engine recall to which I drove on the highway go a restaurant and came back with a puddle of fluids. They loaned me a equal value car or higher and remedied the issue in days.

 

[Spaceme17]

They f’d something up on that fuse box replacement.

I wish you luck. The Stinger is a great car but KIA’s dealerships still suck.

 

[docmogas]

Unless they messed it up, I wouldn't think that would be a issue. I'm assuming your talking about the engine fire recall near the front fuse box. I had mine done a few months ago, roughly 6-8k miles put on since.

Even so I would look into loaners so you still have a car, lemons laws if they don't show any progress in x time.

Everything below is anecdotal n ranting.

Ngl, kia experience is shitty. Only reason I can get my requested work done and bypass the its not under warranty or your a emergency appointment is because I know the owner since I was a toddler.

Owned and still have in the family German cars and they are expensive but I don't have to deal with extra drama. My worst experience was a engine recall to which I drove on the highway go a restaurant and came back with a puddle of fluids. They loaned me a equal value car or higher and remedied the issue in days.

Exactly, KIA experience is lacking so far in my opinion, which sucks as up until now I've absolutely loved this car. Would even say it was topping my previous favorite, my Pontiac G8 GT.
I like to think I'm generally reasonable in that I get that it might just be a fluke factory or equipment defect. I also get electrical issues, which most signs point to, are a pain in the behind and are hard to find. I get all that it's just the dealership attitude and customer service have been left a sour taste in my mouth. Didn't get a loaner vehicle and am out of pocket on a rental until if/or when they determine it's a warranty of factory defect issue. Definitely get the vibe they are trying to set up that is not going to be a warranty or factory defect issue as they always bringing up that it could be from road damage or something I've done to it. Oh and I'm California lemon law is 2 our more repairs for the same issue or non-operational for more than 30 days. Clocks ticking.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

Hate threads like this. If kia doesn't do anything about its dealership service, it will stay as "just a kia" brand. Keep us updated, and good luck.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

 

[Stingah]

My past experience with dealerships was exactly the reason I decided to install the $5 recall wiring kit myself using a method much simpler than what they have to do at the dealership where you don't have to take the entire fuse box apart.

I read the TSB and the step by step just sounded way too complicated and gave them way too much room for error.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sure the techs are qualified and 99% of the recalls are done properly, but I have a tendency of being a 1%'er when it comes to car repair so didn't want to take any chances.

Too bad about your situation, my guess after they took everything apart they didn't put it back 100%. You're going to need to convince them to take it all apart again and double, no, triple check all the wiring is where it should be. Also, as someone who has dug around in that area, I can tell you that the wire length tolerances are short, so it's possible something got disconnected or is loose in the process of getting it all tidy. Really takes someone with patience and attention to detail. Good luck.

 

[docmogas]

I hate all this, I just really hope I get some good news or actual viable plan of action moving forward this coming week like the dealer and KIA said. Like I said before California lemon law allows for enactment after 30 plus days at a certified repair shop with no progress. Really don't want to go that route but feel like it might be the best viable option if nothing in the situation changes in the next two weeks.

 

[MerlintheMad]

My understanding of lemon law is that the SAME issue has to occur three times (at least) and take the vehicle out of your hands for a minimum of thirty days. If Kia has your car in their shop on an issue that is going to be handled under warranty, it doesn't matter how long they keep it: no lemon law appeal.

Otherwise, your experience is echoed: the bad Kia experiences get aired on here, naturally enough. If you're having a crap experience with "service", it doesn't matter if you're a one percenter: to you, it is one hundred percent. I hope that they make your car whole. It would be fantastic if they were quick about it. Too late for that, already; so, fast from this point on. Amen.

 

[eljay]

My understanding of lemon law is that the SAME issue has to occur three times (at least) and take the vehicle out of your hands for a minimum of thirty days. If Kia has your car in their shop on an issue that is going to be handled under warranty, it doesn't matter how long they keep it: no lemon law appeal.

Actually, I'm pretty sure that in CA the law kicks in if the car is in the shop for 30 days. After all, since the OP's car can't even be started by the service mechanics, the issue is continuous and logically can't recur. So 30 days in shop without adequate repair trumps the requirement for recurrence.

Fingers crossed that this is resolved. @docmogas, have they put you in touch with the district service manager? If not, demand it from Kia customer service (not from your dealership).

I like my dealership, they've been good to me, but I know what I went through with a small paint issue (quickly and beautifully resolved once the district mgr got involved), so you have my total sympathy.

 

[docmogas]

Actually, I'm pretty sure that in CA the law kicks in if the car is in the shop for 30 days. After all, since the OP's car can't even be started by the service mechanics, the issue is continuous and logically can't recur. So 30 days in shop without adequate repair trumps the requirement for recurrence.

Fingers crossed that this is resolved. @docmogas, have they put you in touch with the district service manager? If not, demand it from Kia customer service (not from your dealership).

I like my dealership, they've been good to me, but I know what I went through with a small paint issue (quickly and beautifully resolved once the district mgr got involved), so you have my total sympathy.

In my brief research into lemon law that's kind of what I saw as well but I'm sure that all changes when you actually try to put a case forward. Bottom line is I feel inclined to contact a lawyer to at least review a possible case if nothing changes after 30 days in the shop. Haven't tried the district manager but I'm already in contact with Kia customer service. They said they are calling the dealership to get involved on Monday so we'll see if that makes a difference or not.
Oh and appreciate all the advice so far from everyone.

 

[SoCalSHO]

What dealership is it?

 

[docmogas]

Valley Hi Kia in Victorville, CA

 

[eljay]

In my brief research into lemon law that's kind of what I saw as well but I'm sure that all changes when you actually try to put a case forward. Bottom line is I feel inclined to contact a lawyer to at least review a possible case if nothing changes after 30 days in the shop. Haven't tried the district manager but I'm already in contact with Kia customer service. They said they are calling the dealership to get involved on Monday so we'll see if that makes a difference or not.
Oh and appreciate all the advice so far from everyone.

FYI, when I had the paint problem, little got done while Kia Cust. Svc. supposedly "communicated" with the manager of my dealership's service dept., but things really started hopping when I asked for the the district service manager to get involved. Admittedly, dings in a painted strip are easy peasy compared to your problem, but her involvement—coming to the dealership and telling them face-to-face what to do—really changed attitudes and ended the run-around.

 

[Fredman]

This sounds like it is the same limited slip/traction control fuse recall issue that I am planning on taking my 2019 in for.
Dumb question, maybe worth asking -
Did you check all the fuses ?

 

[docmogas]

This sounds like it is the same limited slip/traction control fuse recall issue that I am planning on taking my 2019 in for.
Dumb question, maybe worth asking -
Did you check all the fuses

I actually did check all the fuses in four different locations: driver side, under the hood, trunk, and a couple in the battery its self. I didn't want to tow my car over an hour away( closest dealership to me) just for them to tell me I had a blown fuse. Plus it's going on the third week there and if they couldn't figure out out it was a fuse, battery, or alternator issue by now that
would be pretty sad IMO.

 

[Fredman]

Fuse locations you mentioned driver side, under the hood and trunk.
For what it’s worth, for my 2019 the recall fuses are under hood on passenger side next to the firewall.