Kia regret

[WRXtoStingerGT]

This is true, by the Consumer Reports survey I saw a couple of years ago. But that's because Lexus, et al. scored higher than Kia on customer satisfaction with the dealership experience. But the difference is not that big. (And I'm not positive that Lexus scored higher than Kia: but if they did it was marginally better.) Going off memory, the rough number comparison is (out of a 1,000 point score) Kia 735, and Porsche (the highest scorer as I recall) right around either side of 900. The survey says that well over half of Kia dealerships satisfy their customers. So, I disagree with your assertion that "... the overwhelming majority of Kia dealerships and service centers are a complete joke." Remembering that those complaining are over-represented on car forums, and going by my own experience, I have to side with the CR survey results.

True. I exaggerate. I admit I am biased due to my own experience and the experience of people I know personally. I still have faith in Kia stepping it up with their dealerships and service centers.

I agree mostly what you said but do you have any studies to back your statement regarding the quality of service between kia and Lexus dealers around the country and the world?

Nope. No studies nor any references to cite or quote. Just going off my own experience and the experience of people I know (which I know doesn't mean anything of course). Just shooting words around, but, I would wager $50 in cash that if we took 100 Lexus owners and 100 Kia owners (let's say 4 from each state) at random there would be more satisfied Lexus owners than Kia owners when it came to experience from dealerships and service centers. How many more Lexus than Kia I don't know nor will I pretend to know. Just my gut feeling and from what people I know on a personal level have told me plus my own experiences. But as I said to Merlin I have faith in Kia stepping it up... especially in their service centers.

 

[Ohiocruiser]

I dont know about Lexus. But my wife drives an Acura. And there is absolutely no comparison between two. Hopefully kia will step up their game in service department, without financial hit to themselves

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I dont know about Lexus. But my wife drives an Acura. And there is absolutely no comparison between two. Hopefully kia will step up their game in service department.

How would you say the service center experience is with Acura? What other brands have you guys come from?

 

[vipeboy2000]

I wonder how the kia's new flagship dealer experience is in SK ? lol.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

I wonder how the kia's new flagship dealer experience is in SK ? lol.

I think in SK they take it up a notch compared to the USA lmfao

 

[P22Tyler]

Nearly a decade ago I paid $38K +TTL for my '12 G37S sedan from an Infiniti dealership. The service was top notch. In fact, this place even had a complementary breakfast/lunchbar one could use simply by showing a card (given to buyers). That was fancy. I've been in other Infiniti dealers since which didn't offer this level of service.

Fields Infiniti in Glencoe IL. Sadly the Fields autogroup dropped infiniti few years ago. The place is now a Mini dealership.

The best you could hope for at kia is a bottle of water. So yes, with folks dropping $40K+, kia dealerships need to up their game. Regardless, the same basic expectation exists at any dealership. Problem will be fixed properly the first time at a reasonable price (if not under warranty).

My dealership has a coffee machine that can make a bunch of different drinks, a soda fridge, water, snacks and a nice lounge area with USB charging. You can also walk over to a wall with big windows to watch them work on your car. Also the only time I've had to leave my car with them I got a loaner, it wasn't another Stinger but that doesn't matter to me I just need something to get around. Again, it depends on the dealer. It may be hard to find them but good ones do exist.

EDIT: Oh, and they also now send out a little video detailing the status of your car, brakes, etc. something I've only ever gotten from German dealers.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

My dealership has a coffee machine that can make a bunch of different drinks, a soda fridge, water, snacks and a nice lounge area with USB charging. You can also walk over to a wall with big windows to watch them work on your car. Also the only time I've had to leave my car with them I got a loaner, it wasn't another Stinger but that doesn't matter to me I just need something to get around. Again, it depends on the dealer. It may be hard to find them but good ones do exist.

EDIT: Oh, and they also now send out a little video detailing the status of your car, brakes, etc. something I've only ever gotten from German dealers.

I guess I should move to Utah lmfao!!

 

[P22Tyler]

I guess I should move to Utah lmfao!!

Well I can't speak to the other Kia dealers here, but mine has been nothing but good experiences so far. Most annoying thing I get from them is that they call me too early for an oil change every time. I'll take that over what other people have dealt with.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Well I can't speak to the other Kia dealers here, but mine has been nothing but good experiences so far. Most annoying thing I get from them is that they call me too early for an oil change every time. I'll take that over what other people have dealt with.

It's funny because when I was in Virginia and took my WRX a few times to the dealership the experience was incredible. I would argue it was on par with BMW and Mercedes and Lexus. That quickly changed when I brought my WRX to the dealership in Florida. My goodness what a disaster. Going backwards though the Lexus experience in Virginia was fantastic but the experience in Florida was to die for. It seems to be totally the luck of the draw! So far my Kia experience, both in New York and Florida, has not been too good.

 

[vipeboy2000]

My dealership has a coffee machine that can make a bunch of different drinks, a soda fridge, water, snacks and a nice lounge area with USB charging. You can also walk over to a wall with big windows to watch them work on your car. Also the only time I've had to leave my car with them I got a loaner, it wasn't another Stinger but that doesn't matter to me I just need something to get around. Again, it depends on the dealer. It may be hard to find them but good ones do exist.

EDIT: Oh, and they also now send out a little video detailing the status of your car, brakes, etc. something I've only ever gotten from German dealers.

I've had good experience at the Kia dealer I purchased from as well. clean waiting area, snacks/drinks , free wifi, kids room, follow along on the work status on a site you get texted or emailed to you. Never had to leave a car their yet though but they always ask if i'll need a ride or something.

 

[stoopid]

... Management is so arrogant they believe they can design and operate all the processes of their business, better than anyone else on the planet...When Demming approached Ford, GM and Chrysler with the concept they laughed at him. When he finally took his ideas to Japan they were embraced and in a few years Honda was outselling the US manufactures and they never recovered. But oddly enough, their arrogance and attitude still remain?

Management has rose to its level of incompetence.

 

[carsrmilife]

Do the 360 camera views work in your phone app? They aren't working for me on a Samsung S10+ 1024G

Yes it works on my phone. But, I have an iPhone.

 

[carsrmilife]

Thanks for all of the input! I wasn't implying that ALL Kia dealerships are bad, but from my experience and those from friends and relatives, none are glowing. I think things might be a tad skewed for us here in Michigan, though. We are surrounded by Big 3 dealers, basically within a stones throw anywhere. So it has been easy to find pretty decent service. Not so much with Kia though.

I've had many different brands, from Kia to Chevy to BMW and Mercedes. Not a single one comes close to the poorness of this Kia dealer. It's been over two weeks now at the dealer, for some paint chip repair fixing that came from the factory. It was supposed to be started on the 8th! And the whole time it has been there "at the body shop" they haven't even taken a look at fixing the handle or the dreaded sunroof/pillar rattle. Luckily I have my truck to drive, since they don't have loaner vehicles They're going to get as many bad reviews as I can give them, on every platform possible!

Anyone go to the Grand Blanc Kia dealer? That's where I will be trying next, after this mess is over.

 

[Yacup]

My dealer has been great. There was a large crack in the rear hatch and they looked after changing out all the pieces needed. Great service without any fighting. Very easy to get warranty work done. Its not kia.... its your crappy dealer.

 

[GenesisG70]

So in summary we all agree kia needs to put more pressure in kia stealers to improve quality of service but it's not all staelers that are bad, also when all cars are electric there will me less and less maintenance so less chances for a stealer to mess up mechanically since electric engines do not need all the metal to metal parts.

 

[Treads]

Beginning to wonder if I regret buying my Stinger. From my experience of only several weeks and all of the nightmares I read about on here, it seems Kia’s provide ‘value’ by providing cheap ‘value’ customer service. I’m not sure I can even drive the car without them saying any problem is cause of something I did. Such a damn pathetic joke! Dealer service manager tried telling me my 22 door grab handle that broke after week, was because I got the windows tinted. Which was done after the handle was found to be broken. Disheartening because I really do love my car.

Had the same problem with my 22. It was broken when I bought the car. They ordered the part, waited 6 weeks. I took the car in to have it fixed, after a half hour the service rep came out and said there was an upgrade to the part and I would have to wait another 6-8 weeks. It amazes me that nobody at the dealership noticed this when they got the car.

 

[carsrmilife]

So in summary we all agree kia needs to put more pressure in kia stealers to improve quality of service but it's not all staelers that are bad, also when all cars are electric there will me less and less maintenance so less chances for a stealer to mess up mechanically since electric engines do not need all the metal to metal parts.

I was just talking to someone about that aspect of EV's. I'm sure they will come up with some new type of cost to make up for the lost revenue lol.

Had the same problem with my 22. It was broken when I bought the car. They ordered the part, waited 6 weeks. I took the car in to have it fixed, after a half hour the service rep came out and said there was an upgrade to the part and I would have to wait another 6-8 weeks. It amazes me that nobody at the dealership noticed this when they got the car.

Mine very well could have been broken upon pickup as well. I hadn't used the passenger door to notice and didn't know it was a problem to check. Not surprised they dont notice though. I still had the delivery plastics ALL OVER the car, after it was prepped for me to take home, the day I bought it. The porter must have been working with his eyes closed! Not that I really cared, but that was a first.

 

[YEH]

Beginning to wonder if I regret buying my Stinger. From my experience of only several weeks and all of the nightmares I read about on here, it seems Kia’s provide ‘value’ by providing cheap ‘value’ customer service. I’m not sure I can even drive the car without them saying any problem is cause of something I did. Such a damn pathetic joke! Dealer service manager tried telling me my 22 door grab handle that broke after week, was because I got the windows tinted. Which was done after the handle was found to be broken. Disheartening because I really do love my car.

Kia is ranked 5th in JDP's latest CSI ranking - ahead of Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.

You just have a crap dealership in your area.

What does it matter to the dealership why your grab handle broke (as long as there was no abuse)?

They would just get reimbursed by Kia corporate.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Kia is ranked 5th in JDP's latest CSI ranking - ahead of Toyota, Honda and Hyundai.

You just have a crap dealership in your area.

What does it matter to the dealership why your grab handle broke (as long as there was no abuse).

They would just get reimbursed by Kia corporate.

They're all really close to each other. That is a good thing. I don't know how this ranking compares to Consumer Reports, where a couple of years ago Kia scored c. 735 and Porsche around 900. Maybe Kia has upped their game and the CR now would be in the 800s too?

 

[RVance]

I can't wrap my head around these issues. My dealer in So. Pines, NC has been nothing but stellar. With all my mods, they still take my car with a smile and do maintenance and annual inspections without a hiccup. I don't even pull the JB, meth, ect, ect off anymore when I go there.

Well, sure. The meth really speeds things up, too.