His recalled automobile’s engine died, however Kia will not change it or give this London, Ont., man a rental
A London, Ont., man says that after months of trying to find solutions from Kia, he was refused a alternative engine on his recalled car despite the fact that it was lined below the automobile firm’s prolonged guarantee.
Six months in the past, Will Larocque’s 2014 Rondo’s engine died whereas he was driving. When he took the automobile to his native dealership in south London, Larocque stated he was advised he met the necessities for prolonged guarantee protection resulting from recall points with Kia automobiles, together with the Rondo.
When he heard it might be not less than a month earlier than his automobile was even checked out, and an additional six to eight months to have the engine changed, Larocque tried a special location in hopes of faster outcomes, he stated.
“I wanted my automobile repaired shortly, so I had it towed to Kia Dundas, who advised me they’ll take a look at it inside the month. I waited, however no calls again or something. They only stored prolonging it.
“They would not present me with a rental automobile or any lodging for not understanding when my car can be serviced, so I had to purchase a secondary automobile so I might preserve my job.”
Dealership, web site had totally different insurance policies
Larocque was advised by the dealership that the guarantee had been prolonged to both 10 years or 200,000 kilometres, and he qualifies on each fronts as a result of his mileage was 123,000 kilometres, he stated. However on Kia’s web site, the coverage states that it is both eight years or 160,000 kilometres.
Being with out my Kia … means I don’t know once I can see my daughter.– Will Larocque, London, Ont.
When contacted by CBC Information, Kia Canada declined to remark or make clear their coverage as a result of the matter is being actively investigated.
Larocque stated he wants a automobile to journey forwards and backwards from his job in Woodstock — about 30 kilometres east of London. He additionally has a daughter who lives in Kettle Level, and he is unable to see her with no car, he stated.
“I usually see her about twice a month, so being with out my Kia and being advised frequently that, ‘We do not know when your automobile will probably be repaired,’ means I don’t know once I can see my daughter,” he added.
Two months after his Kia died, Larocque purchased a used 2009 Volkswagen Golf for $5,000 out of pocket. However that engine additionally died, so he needed to spend one other $3,000 for engine alternative, plus windshield repairs.
Larocque stated he is had to make use of public transportation and a bicycle to get across the metropolis, bringing his journey and upkeep bills near a complete $9,000.
After the wait interval on the Dundas location, Kia did a diagnostic check on Larocque’s automobile and advised him they discovered two misfire codes, main them to imagine he drove it with out oil, so that they rejected his protection, Larocque stated.
Larocque denies that, saying he is stored up together with his Kia’s upkeep for the 4 years he is owned it, together with common oil adjustments. Three months earlier than his engine died, Larocque had an oil change finished — paperwork proven to CBC Information confirm that.
“There is not any leaking oil, no black smoke popping out, the engine itself was wonderful up till it simply went poof,” he stated.
WATCH | The issues with Canada’s recall system:
Many Canadians might need a recall on their automobile and so they would not even understand it. We examine a recall involving over one million Canadian automobiles, and hundreds of spontaneous engine fires and failures.
Tough conditions and no accountability
Engine failures on Kia automobiles are one of the vital frequent complaints that George Iny on the Vehicle Safety Affiliation (AMA) says he has acquired within the final three years.
“It is a tough state of affairs — you are lured in by the hope that an present security recall which has a beneficiant doubling of the usual guarantee goes to cowl you to get an improved engine at virtually no value to your self, however you are not advised that delay might run into months,” Iny stated.
Iny’s heard from customers who say that in lots of instances, Kia’s causes to disclaim them protection have been resulting from lacking service information from earlier house owners. This follow is prohibited in Quebec below the Shopper Safety Act , however can nonetheless be argued in Ontario, he added.
There is not any leaking oil, no black smoke popping out, the engine itself was wonderful up till it simply went poof.– Will Larocque, London, Ont.
“There’s a design drawback with these engines. It is severe and so they’re not tolerant of operating low on oil, so if it will get down greater than a litre, you may get extreme injury,” Iny believes.
“The house owners usually are not advised that. Even the handbook makes you assume that you may run 12,000 kilometres with none oil adjustments. Kia’s actually near the backside of the barrel on the subject of guarantee administration.”
Final 12 months, a joint CBC Market and Go Public investigation discovered that recollects on thousands and thousands of Kia and Hyundai automobiles have dragged on since 2015, with extra fashions added to the record.
Each Larocque and Iny imagine the corporate must take extra accountability and provides well timed service to prospects. Larocque plans to take authorized motion in opposition to Kia, he stated.
“The customer support from Kia and the dealership has simply been atrocious,” Larocque stated. “Out of 12 calls I’ve made, I’ve acquired again perhaps three or 4. It is a very aggravating state of affairs.”
Two days after publication, Larocque stated he was contacted by Kia Dundas who will now change his engine and supply Laroqcue with a rental car within the meantime.
