From: Crs55555@aol.com
I have a Kia Sportage and have had the tires replaced, the battery, 10 service visits for the check engine light coming on for no apparent reason, a recall order and a trip that lasted for a week to replace the exterior gas door that still is jammed and has to be pried open every time I need to put gas in the car. I have complained to the company, the dealership and the salesperson. I am in the process of trying to get rid of the car but the car has a terrible resale value and has left me in the hole about $5000. I hate this car.
Chris

From: raigg@impop.bellatlantic.net
Reply-To: raigg@bellatlantic.net
To whom this may concern,
My name is Leah Tedesco. My mother is Shelba Tedesco. We purchased a 97 Kia Sephia in 98, from C Harper Chevrolet. Since we purchased it we have had numerous problems with it. We have replaced the tires five times in the past two in a half years. It is out of line, and we are constantly replacing the rims on it. Now everything from the catalytic converter back need replaced and C Harpar wants around $400 to $500 to replace it. We took it to Darren Evens the manager of Midas in Uniontown, Pa, and he said it should not of rusted the way it did. The is a constant thump and ticking coming from the car and nobody can tell us what it is coming from. It isn't even drivable. We haven't drove it in almost a week. We really don't want to put money in it, because we know we will be losing in the long run. We are driving a 1984 Lincoln Town Car and it runs 100% better than the Kia. We absolutely hate this car. We don't know what else to do. We don't have money to purchase a new car, and we need a good means of transportation. Please e-mail me back at raigg@bellatlantic.net Thanks a lot
Sincerely
Leah & Shelba Tedesco

From: My Antidote (poison@prodigy.net)
Hi,
I have a 96 Kia Sephia purchased brand new in 97.I have been having brake problems since I've had about 3500 miles on the car.The brakes squeak terribly loud.I took the car in a couple of times and they replaced the rotors and brake pads and they still squeaked.I went through the lemon law and after the fourth fix they fixed it.Just when I thought I was going to get rid of that piece of crap.Go figure! And it's been a year and their starting again and now it's too late.I have had brake pads replaced 3 or 4 times rotors turned several times and replaced once.The car also shakes bad..and worst of all I only have 24,000 miles on it! I don't think this is normal.My story is obviously not as bad as yours but it's not right..I wish I never purchased a Kia.Let me know if I can help.
Kim

From: Bgssbscts@aol.com
MY NAME IS DAVID IN VIRGINIA. I PURCHASED A 1996 KIA SEPHIA LS. I MYSELF HAVE SOME OF THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. FIRST PROBLEM WAS WITH MY RADIATOR. IT CRACKED ON THE TOP SEAM BY THE NECK. I JUST REPLACED THAT. COST ME $250.00 INCLUDING LABOR AT ANOTHER PLACE INSTEAD OF A KIA DEALER BECAUSE THE WERE CHARGING ME CLOSE TOO $490.00. AND I STILL HAVE LIFETIME WARRANTY. TWO NIGHTS BEFORE THAT. MY BATTERY NEED TO BE REPLACED. LEFT ME STRANDED MORE THAN FIVE TIMES IN EVERY LOCATION YOU COULD IMAGINE. NOT HAPPY AT ALL. ME BEING IN THE MILITARY. LENT MY FRIEND THE CAR. JUST DID A SIX MONTH CRUISE. THE SECOND WEEK HE HAD IT THE SPEEDOMETER DON'T DIDN'T WORK. HE DOESN'T KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT KIA CARS. ABOUT THE FOURTH WEEK, MY DRIVE SHAFTS, CV JOINT & U JOINTS NEEDS REPLACED. THE BOOT BROKE IN HALF. NEEDLESS TO SAY, I GOT BACK AND WASN'T HAPPY. I REPLACED ONE PROBLEM AND STILL NEED TO FIX THREE MORE PROBLEMS. I HOPE EVERYONE TAKES YOUR ADVICE. BECAUSE MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AND I HAVE TO PAY OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. MY THE CAR IS GOOD THROUGH THE DURATION OF THE WARRANTY 36,000 ONLY.
SINCERELY AN ANGRY CUSTOMER

From: AKM5876@aol.com
hi joe, my name is anne. i also bought a 1997 kia sephia and have had nothing but problems with it. within the first 2 yrs that i had it, i had the brakes replaced 6 times. the rotors were warping after 1 month of the replacement. i attempted to file under the lemon law but was told my time limit was up and i was over the allowed miles. i have been driving around with warped rotors because my veh is no longer under warranty and i cant afford to do anything about it. please let me know what you are doing to help your problem. i also had the fly wheel and the alternator replaced within the first 2 years. nothing like buying a cheap new car! i would never recommend this veh to anyone.
anne

From: "J.and D. BAKER" (jndbaker@bestweb.net)
I too have almost the same sad story. I have a 1998 kia sportage. I have been in the service department over 26 times in the past year and a half. I do not have enough for the lemon law - but would love to join the class action lawsuit.

From: Lin Blansit (lblansit@texas.net)
I am a Texas attorney. I had a prospective client call me today re: her 1997 Sephia's dashboard--seems it has "melted" and warped. I am shocked at the number of brake failures and engine stallings I read about on your e-mail list. I am not aware of any class actions, but some of these defects must be well-known to the company by now, and it seems to be continuing to use what appears to be ineffective repair methods, based on the e-mail testimonials. I would be interested in receiving an e-mail from the attorney who is looking into your case and from any other attorneys who are filing lawsuits or investigating these claims.
Lin Blansit, Attorney at Law, Austin, Texas, lblansit@texas.net.

From: "cream.721" (cream.721@gateway.net)
Hi, I was reading your webpage and it seems that you have had a lot of the same problems that I had with my own car.
I too have had the alternator replaced and several batteries die on me. I have also had the airbag light come on and my seatbelts need replacing. at this very moment my car is sitting in my parking lot after it died on me for the fifth time. Also, I found out that I needed a new radiator and pipes along with a new transmission.
I have a '96 Kia with 48k and it should not have so many problems already.
Contact me if you are still filing a suit.
Joyell Arscott

From: PPanda528@aol.com
I bought my Kia about 1 1/2 years ago. I loved it at first! But on my way to Seattle the brain went out on the express way...we were stranded. My husband, son, and myself got a ride to a truck stop and waited for my step father to drive 2 hours to pick us up. After getting the car towed to the nearest Kia dealer.....$150....they worked on it for 5 weeks!!! At first it was just the brain, covered. Then it was a wiring problem, not the problem so no charge. Then the wiring harness was the problem, not the problem.(did get charged for that) After 3 brains and 2 wiring harnesses they stated the problem was I quote,"traced cause of wire harness problem and UCU failure to pinched wiring at fuel pump harness-recent harness recall completed-pinched between veh and tank causing shorting and damage to PCM and eng wire harness" My goodness ....my son was sitting on that piece and the gas tank!!! What if it exploded...or caught fire. Well the Kia dealer said that they couldn't cover the bill because they didn't do the recall!!! The Kia dealer I bought the car from says that they don't believe that was the problem because of the time lapse. (10 months after the recall was done...but this was the first real trip I took since the recall) Nobody is paying for my car but ME!!! $1200 BILL!! I haven't had my car in 2 months and now I have to find the money to get my car back. Do I really want my car????NO but I still owe two years and what do you do?? I guess I was taken.......please share my story with others.....DON"T EVER BUY A KIA!!!
I am in the process of taking them to small claims court for the bill..............who knows what will happen.
ppanda528@aol.com

From: Jjj1498@cs.com
Hello,
My name is Julia Faulkner and my husband just recently purchased a 1999 Kia Sophia. Well, we thought that we had purchased a Kia Sophia until today 5-30-99.
On 5-12-00 we went into the Central Kia dealership in Plano, TX. We were ensured that if we chose to purchase the Kia, we only had to put $200.00 down on the car and we could walk out of the dealership that day with the keys. We asked the salesman several times, are we already approved by a bank, he insisted YES everytime. We needed a second car due to my husband obtaining a new day job and no longer working nights. So we went and signed all of the papers and left with the Kia.
Well, every other day the salesperson called us and indicated that he needed this and he needed that. We always gave him the information. Then we received a phone call from Key Bank to confirm all of the information. Key Bank then provided us with an account number, what our payments would be and where to send the payments. She stated that we would be receiving a payment statement each month verse a payment book.
So we were finalized, or at least we thought is was finalized. Tonight we received a phone call from Chris @ Kia indicating that they were able to drop our monthly car payments by $25 a month, however they needed for us to go up there with the Kia because also the VIN number was not pulling up the correct name. dealership. We put $5 bucks in the tank and drove there. When we got there we asked for a person named Chris, waited and then a gentlemen came and took us in a room. He then proceeded to tell us that he was having a difficult time verifying our income. We told him that that was not a problem, because we can provide proof. Basically, he told us we needed to give the car back!! We then asked to speak with Chris, because he told us that he had lowered our payments. NOBODY KNEW A CHRIS, HE WAS FIRED 5 MONTHS AGO. This is on a Tuesday night when my husband has to go to work the next day, drop my son off at daycare and I also have to get to work. I thought he was joking, we had the card for almost 3 weeks and were ready to send in our first payment. They stated that unfortunately, there was nothing that they could do. So, I called my father who rights legal contracts for a living, and he asked, "Did you sign a contract?" I said,"YES".
See by law they are in breech of contract because we had already signed the contract with the final figures included. When I asked for a copy of the contract, they said that they were not going to give it to us. The conversation escalated and the police were called. When the police arrived, the Kia employees, now stated that they did not have a copy of the contact, they sent everything to the bank (INCLUDING THE ORIGINALS). They stated that they only paperwork that they had was a buyers contact (which was not admitted until the police arrived), which basically states how much we paid for the car. However, when my father arrived, he told the Kia employees and the police officers that we were going to take the car, because we had signed the contact and if the dealership could not produce the contact then it was ours. We had the keys. Well, we went to leave and they there was a car parked behind the Kia so we were unable to leave.
I walked in and asked the employee to remove the blocking vehicle. Well, just when we were ready to leave with the Kia, the owner of the dealership was now able to produce some additional paperwork....... Now they were able to produce that if the bank did not approve the loan, then car was borrowed. With this new found paperwork, the police could not allow us to take the car.
The cops knew that the employees of Kia were lying... However, this is a civil suite..... and they were unable to assist us. Once we saw the new found paperwork, we asked for a copy..... GUEST WHAT... the dealership would not even let us have copy.
We had to leave... with all of the employees standing out there laughing at us...... Smirking....... The only chance that we have is for the bank to have a copy of the contract... Which they probably won't. We have nothing in writing ... when we signed the contract, they told us they would mail us the copies... EVERYTHING THAT KIA TOLD US WAS A LIE........................................................................... .......
We are 22, have a 2 year old son, house payments and a ton of bills..... Kia put us in the worst situation and then laughed about it........ I asked the gentlemen who gave us all of the information," How can you sleep at night? You lied to us.." He said that he sleeps find at night. 100 to 1 we loose this battle.... We have nothing in writing....
However, after reading your email, I am glad that we did not get the Kia. What is this world coming to? The police could not help us.. And they bad guys were winning. See, my family and I are what you call the little people. People who can't fight back, because we do not have money... People that trust people until they should not be trusted any longer. This Kia dealership has not only made me weary of Kia's.... but of every human being on this planet.
I did tell those lying Kia employees that,"WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND"
Thank you for listening and I will keep you updated if anything else happens.
Julia

From: EnlightenMe34@aol.com
Hi. thanks for your website. Just got off the phone making an appointment for service at the dealership. I've had this car just over 1 year, and it's been to the shop every month since. So far, just minor annoyances, but I fear what's to come. I'm 34, finally able to purchase my first new car, and what a piece of shit. The payments are high, and the insurance is astronomical. The most recent problems: the shift accuator for the second time. Can't get vehicle out of park, unless I use a screwdriver. Wiring problems, dashboard lights out - rear brake lights out. My CD player was stolen 1 month after I bought this car, and now they are blaming every problem I am having on that, in order to avoid warranty service. I can't afford the lost time every month, and the repairs!!! this is so depressing!!! What can I do?
Julie-Marie.
PA

From: TheDrPepperMan@aol.com
my kia sportage is a 95. right after we bought it we had problems with the battery.' now in the past six months we have had nothing but problems with the heater core. matter of fact it has busted six times. the last time the kia dealership had it for over a month and a half supposely checking everything to see what was causeing the heater core to break. finally they determined that it was the box that covered the heater core was deformed and replaced it. now after only having it back 2 weeks it has overheated twice. if you find a lawyer that will take your case e-mail me and tell me the details. thanks catrina and family

From: "ConsumerAffairs.Com" (consumer@consumeraffairs.com)
Hi ... Just wanted to let you know we've added quite a few complaints to our Kia complaint section and also found an interesting story about New Jersey fining Kia $90k for being late with Lemon Law payments. Thought you'd like to check it out. Keep up the good work.
Jim Hood
ConsumerAffairs.com
---
ConsumerAffairs.Com www.consumeraffairs.com
A Division of The Oakton Press, Inc.
P.O. Box 3233 Oakton VA 22124
Phone 703 359-6800 Fax 703 352-3909
Email (consumer@consumeraffairs.com)

From: Griffy7461@aol.com
This is Griffy writing once again. I read the new post you have put up since my first post! I just want to tell everyone to PLEASE go through the lemon law!!!!! The first time we were turned down for reimbursement but the second time we were scheduled Kia contacted us and offered us a settlement. This is what they do... they send out an expert that can fool any arbitrator with their bull crap logic for things that go on with the car. I sat there with a HUGH stack of work orders and they sided with Kia anyway. I almost gave up at that point but I didn't. I went the next step. If Kia can get through the first step and win I can bet the majority of people just throw in the towel. I almost did. I even let over a month go by and then got pissed again when parts of my car was falling off! The famous check engine light that comes on and the car running like crap is normal according to the expert from Kia and he has documents to prove it. So you must have all your ducks in a row when you go. Fill out all the paper work sent to you first and get it back to the arbitrator. No one should have their NEW car in the shop 120 days in one year. I even had the sales manager at the Kia dealership tell us that they knew something was wrong with these cars but they still chose to sell them. He was going to help us just get into another car but I wasn't about to lose all that money I had sunk into that junk. I am so appalled at how kia treats all these people so lightly! They have more lemons then they do safe reliable cars.

From: Lissa29474@aol.com
I was a first time auto buyers, 21 years of age. I was totally taken in on what a great deal the Sephia was. I bought it May of 1999 with 11 miles. In one year, the transmittion had to be totally replaced, the fuel gauges had to be replaced, the check engine light, and OD Off lights were flashing all the time, the tires went bad, I was putting at least 5 dollars a day in gas because it burns it so fast, and the odometor reading cannot possibly be accurate. In one year, it shows me putting over 27 thousand miles on the car, and I live about 15 minutes from work. The car is extremely unsafe, and not even KIA itself will buy it back. I am at a total loss for what to do. The car has been in the shop more than I have had it, and last time I brought it in, a KIA tech actually ripped the stitching in my seat. Not to mention the fact that I was in an accident that was deamed "my fault" because the car stalled in the middle of me pulling into traffic, and a woman smacked right into me. That made my insurance increase drastically, and the airbag didn't even come out. I do not recommend anyone even riding in one of these vehicles. When I went to sell it back, it lost its book value tremendously! Please email me to help me with options... Lissa29474@aol.com...

From: ItzPJ@aol.com
I too have recently purchased a '99 Kia Sephia in October and it has already seen the mechanic numerous times for many many different problems. I am currently trying to get my money back or get something in return for this "brand new" lemon that I have been sold. Please send me any information or updates that you have. I have already contacted several other Kia owners in this area and they have the same complaints. I am from Petersburg, Virginia so the problem isn't just in your area.
Thanks

From: JoAnn Bowlin (jojo@inter-linc.net)
Have you had any luck finding a lawyer to handle a class action suit? I'm sure you can get many people to join in on the suit--this car should be banned from the United States if not the world. I have a 1998 Kia Sportage and it's been nothing but a headache. It died again yesterday and left me stranded. Add my name to your list of EXTREMELY unsatisfied customers.
JoAnn Bowlin

From: PNMSEX@aol.com
I HAVE A KIA SPORTAGE ,
THIS WAS THE WORST CAR I COULD HAVE PURCHASED. ONE MONTH AFTER I PURCHASED THE THING THE DEALER SOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO ANOTHER COMPANY 60 MILES FROM MY HOME WHEN I DID HAVE PROBLEMS I DIDN'T TAKE IT IN AN WHEN I DID THE WOULD SAY YOU'LL HAVE TO COME BACK .THE PAINT ON THE BUMPERS WAS PEELING OFF . THEY WOULDN'T EVEN FIX IT.
THE MUFFLER SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACE . A WEEK LATER IT WAS FALLING OFF ,HAD TO TAKE IT BACK IT STILL WON'T RUN RIGHT .THE WIND NOISE IS SO BAD YOU CAN'T HEAR THE PERSON BESIDE YOU TALK. YOU NAME IT IS BAD WITH THIS CAR.
PENNY SEXTON
HUNTSVILLE AL.

From: JEvans8478@aol.com
I bought a brand new Kia Sportage in February 1999, it has had over 28 repairs since I bought it. I have had the breaks done 3 times, the Trottle position switch replaced twice. The service rep screwed up and gave me the wrong repair order there was 15 repairs done before I purchased the vehicle last year. The paint is peeling off the fenders. I have started the "lemon Law" process but do not now if I will ger very far.
Let me know what I can do to help I want out of this mess and I will also be involved in the law suit.
Thanks
Jackie

From: MRITA595@aol.com
I am looking for a class-action suite, that's how I found your web page. I bought a barely-used, '98 Kia Sephia last September and for the first 5 months it was in the repair shop once a month for major repairs. I wrote Kia a letter but they won't respond. I am a paralegal in a law office and my boss said I should try to find a class-action suite before I file on my own. Some of the repair I have had are listed below:
-New tires
-New horn (it was faulty when it was put on the car)
-New windshield wiper parts (re-call)
-New wiring (the wires were rusted and corroded, some were broken)
-New brakes (two weeks! after I bought the darn thing)
-New fuse box
-New fuel pump relay (I was stranded on the freeway too because of this)
-New Batery
-New Starter
The list goes on and on, doesn't it. I would love to sue these guys for all they've got. The worst part is I have tried to trade the car in and be done with it but the dealerships said the loan was too new and I owed more than they will buy it for. I'm stuck!

From: Katharin (jkglc@alltel.net)
I just wanted to thank all of you for your warnings. We were thinking of trading our Ford in for a cheaper payment but luckily I stumbled across your website and I think I'll stay with my F150. Sounds like it would be cheaper in the long run anyway!! I wish you luck in your fight. Thanks for the informative webpage that kept us and other families like us from making a huge mistake.--K.C.

From: Nansee21@aol.com
I have never actually owned a Kia, but I used to work at a dealership that sold them. I know from what I saw, and what I learned about the Kia that they are not worth the money you pay for them!!!!! A cheap price for an even cheaper car!!!
For example, while working at this lot, I spoke with a man who had to bring his Sephia back 14, I repeat 14, times in 3 months to have the brakes fixed.....finally he got the company to buy the piece of sh*t back from him. Now that's just ridiculous when you have a BRAND NEW car and have to bring it back THAT many times in just 3 months!!!! Another lady had to bring her Sportage back 5 times in 2 weeks because the "Check Engine" light kept coming on...........needless to say, she was more than a little upset.
I had always heard that Kia's were pieces of junk, but after working there, and actually seeing what was going on with these cars, I WILL NEVER EVER buy a KIA, and I have told everyone that I know the same thing...........they're just not worth it!!!!
Don't get all excited over the cheap price tag, cuz in the long run, you'll probably end up spending THREE times that much, or more, getting the damn thing fixed EVERY month!!!!!
By the way.......when I first started working at this dealership, I asked "Which of these dealerships gets the most business?" ( as we were affiliated with 4 others ) And I was answered seriously with "KIA REPAIR"..................now THAT oughta tell ya something!!!!
Nancy B. ( :

From: PMPatricia@aol.com
My name is Patty. I am a mother of 2. We are a one income family and live in the Adirondacks. Wanting a 4-wheel drive vehicle the price tag on the KIA Sportage looked really good. After reading your web site I am glad I looked around. I think I would be better off buying a used Chevy.
Thanks for the warnings!!

From: DIMPLEZ40@aol.com
I don't even know where to begin. I own a 97 kia sportage that almost killed me, my boyfriend and my six year old son on Mothers Day '2000. The engine light, which has been aluminated since a week after I purchased the car in Feb 28, is ONE of the many problems I have consistantly reported, called the hotline, sent certified mail and have NEVER gotten that PHONECALL that comes 3-5 days after your complaint. Well, the engine powered off on a 5 lane highway at approx 65 mph, just bending around a curve. Can you imagine the horror in my eyes when I looked back to see a 16 wheeler rounding the bend.
I am going to look for a lawyer too.? I will call Channel 7 in Wash, Dc. I believe they did a story months ago on Kia. There should be a class action lawsuit by now and I definitely want in.
They need more BAD Publicity obviously.

From: JJOHNMADCAT@aol.com
I NOW OWN A 98 SPORTAGE ,THE WORSE THING I HAVE EVER DID WAS BUY THIS CAR.WAS IN SHOP SO MANY TIMES ,AND THE DAM RECALLS MAKE IT NO EASIER TO LIVE. HAD A BBB HEAR THEY ARE NOT ON CONSUMERS I FEEL TO DATE NEVER HEARD OF ANYONE THAT WON WITH THEM ON THEIR SIDE.ME AND MY WIFE FOUGHT OVER THIS.I HAVE BOUGHT 3 OTHER NEW CARS NEVER HAD TROUBLES LIKE THIS.NEW REAR DIFFERENTIAL FRIST WEEK ,IN SHOP 7DAYS.BOTH WINDOW MOTORS IN BACK WHENT OUT,2WEEKS,BRAKES REPLACED,WIRE HARNESS FIXED; MIDDLE OF WINTER 4WEEL DRIVE WHENT OUT ,I NOW HAVE 97 4WEEL DRIVE.ALARM GOS OFF ,LOCKS ON ITS OWN.THERE TO MUCH TO TELL PLUS IM GETTING PISSED A BIT .WILL HELP ANYWAY I CAN.AND IM STILL TRYING MY SELF.BEST OF LUCK.....

From: Wearyme@aol.com
Hello Im interested in learning about the class action lawsuit against Kia.... What is goin on with that... I have a Sportage which is having major and apparently very common transmission problems... I cant afford to get jerked around anymore by the dealership and I definitely can't affor a new car but I also am afraid to drive the Sportage anymore... Please tell me if you have had any luck, I may be able to participate and help in the suit...
Thank you,
Carol Silvestri

From: Mvlabanca@aol.com
Hello
I have a 1997 sportage kia. Its been the the shop about 15 to 20 times over a 2 yr. period. Problems with sensors and the fuel system. It has cost me about $2500 in repairs. In the beginning it was a sensor problem that repeatedly accrued and then cat. convertor which was covered under warranty they recently they found a problem with the fuel tank was rusting out which cost about $2500 to repair which included the car rental for 12 days do the problem of getting parts. I would like to get my cost of purchase and out of pocket expense back, so then I can buy a good car or truck
Thank you
Marc V. La Banca

From: OSTALLIONO102175@aol.com
Hi! I don't know if you recall or not, but i wrote to you back at the end of March about the problems I was having with my Kia. Well, I figured you might want to include this great little development on your website: After all of the problems I have had with it, the car is now dead. It is a 1995 and it has a cracked engine block. I still owe on the car note. I have gone to a bunch of dealerships looking for a new car and none of them are willing to give me one dollar for a trade on that piece of junk, which means that I have to add my current Kia car note onto any new car that I buy. I think that any millionaire philanthropist out there looking for a charitable venture should consider buying the entire Kia company and shutting it down immediately, sparing any other people from the misery of owning one of these cars!!!
Thanks!
Melissa Leeper
Harrisburg, PA

From: Carrie Volpe (carrievolpe@telocity.com)
Hey there, I have had nothing but problems with my 99 KIA, for the first 6 months the car would viberate over 58mph, and i mean shake really bad. Then during a heavy rain storm/flooding, i had my car flooded from the outside inside. I've taken my KIA in numerous times. And now my most recent problem battery keeps dying..or we think its the battery, i took it in, or let me rephrase that, the tow truck took it in. And they charged it up, and had me pick it up. And it worked for about a week, and now its dead again.And KIA won't do anything.They are the worst!!! my husband and i are besides ourselves. We would like to get KIA to repay us for all the trouble they have caused us. Email me back with some suggestions.
Carrie Volpe

From: Chinadollcat@aol.com
hi my name is cathareene and i just bought a kia 2 days ago and already my air condition has went out....now that's real bad..considering my credit that was my only choice, but that car still does not suppose to be in bad condition when it is brand new....give me your comments....are you going to pursue a lawsuit?my email address is www.4email.com

From: MDipi10718@aol.com
I BOUGHT A 99 KIA BRAND NEW,THE FIRST COUPLE MONTHS I HAD IT IT RAN REALLY GOOD,I WAS HAPPY WITH THE CAR,THEN THEY RECALLED IT FOR SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL PUMP.(IM A WOMEN DONT NO MUCH ABOUT CARS) WELL HERE A AM 13MONTHS LATER AND I NOLONGER HAVE THE KIA.........RAEDY FOR THIS YESTERDAY 6/11/00 THE CAR WENT UP IN FLAMES NO WARNING OR NOTHING.......I WAS IN THE CAR ONE MIN. NEXT MIN. I GOT OUT AND 5MINS. LATER THE CAR WAS JUST A SHELL........NOW IM A MOTHER W/2 KIDS AND NO CAR........BUT I GUESS I HAVE TO BE THANK FULL THAT IM STILL HERE TOCOMPLAIN CAUSE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN ME AND MY KIDS IN THAT CAR..............BEWARE OF KIA, IT ALMOST TOOK MY LIFE......

From: Cleopatra0856@aol.com
I have a 1996 KIA Sephia and I've had it a year and 6 mouths. When I first got it .It had the wrong rims and tires on it the brakes were bad. I've put CV joints on it which cost me $400 dollars and that's because Napa rebuilt them for me.If they didn't do that it would have cost me $400 each. They made 2 1996 Kia Sephia's and the second one they made they didn't make parts for .So none of the parts stores carried parts for it. Mine is a Dual Overhead Cam and the parts place didn't know that they had a 1996 Kia with that.It took me 2 months to fine someone to get me the CV joint s for my car.Before that happened i had a battier blow up in it and it wasn't but 4 months old then.It is now sitting in the yard because it kills batties.Eats tires.It's making funny noisies .Well my hubby says it's a dount gasket but the Kia place says it don't have one of them on it.Thing i don't like about the car is that they don't make parts for it. The cars are cheap but the parts cost you alot. They have to have a new battier about every 2 months and new tires at least 4 times a month if not more.The people that work on them going to tell you that it don't have this on it when you know the darn thing does have it on it.Mine i have to charge the battier everytime i want to go some where.I can keep tires on it.I hate this car and with my credit that's all i could get. After i got it i found out that it was recked. I want to get rid of it but they keep telling me that i have to have it a few more months first.
I got mine from Sunshine Mazada in Albany Ga.Well I Will Let you go let me know how everything goes with your lawsuit.If i can help let me know i will see what i can do.

From: Sundee Johnson (SundeeJ@DIRECTSERV.com)
I BOUGHT MY 1999 KIA SEPHIA IN DEC. OF 1998. SIX MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR THE BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE CHANGED MY BRAKES EVERY 3 MONTHS SINCE THEN. I ALSO HAVE HAD TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR THE WINDSHIELD WIPER RECALL, THE FUEL CONNECTOR RECALL, AN EXHAUST PROBLEM AND JUST RECENTLY I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING BECAUSE IT WAS SHIFTING ITSELF IN AND OUT OF OVERDRIVE. I TOOK MY CAR IN THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY AND THEY KEPT IT FOR 3 DAYS. THEY REPLACED A PART IN MY SPEEDOMETER BECAUSE APPARANTLY WHEN MY SPEEDOMETER SAID I WAS GOING 60 I WAS REALLY GOING 70. WHEN I GOT IT BACK THE PROBLEM WITH THE JERKING HAD NOT BEEN FIXED, BUT THE MANAGER AT THE KIA PARTS AND SERVICE PLACE TOLD ME THAT IT WAS PROBABLY JUST A BAD TANK OF GAS. I PUT FUEL CLEANER IN IT TWICE AND 7 TANKS OF GAS LATER THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTED. THEN ONE DAY I WAS DRIVING IN DOWNTOWN SEATTLE AND MY CAR STARTED JERKING REALLY BAD AND WHEN I WOULD STOP AND PRESS ON THE GAS MY CAR WOULD NOT GO AND THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT WOULD JUST TAKE OFF. THEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO REV ITSELF UP WHILE THE CAR WAS IN PARK (I HAD PULLED OFF THE ROAD AT THIS POINT). I CALL THE KIA PLACE AND IT WAS A FRIDAY NIGHT SO THERE WAS REALLY NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT OPEN ON WEEKENDS. I MANAGED TO GET MY CAR HOME AND I PARKED IT FOR THE WEEKEND. ON MONDAY WHEN I GOT IN MY CAR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAD GONE OFF, BUT I STILL TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP. THEY HAD MY CAR FOR THE WHOLE DAY AND TOLD ME THAT THEY REALLY DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG BECAUSE THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. SO I TOOK THE CAR HOME. HALFWAY HOME IT STARTED TO DO IT AGAIN, BUT WORSE THIS TIME. THEY PEOPLE AT KIA HAD ALREADY GONE HOME SO I COULDN'T CALL THEM. SO THE NEXT MORNING (TODAY 6/13/00) I TOOK MY CAR BACK IN BECAUSE THERE WAS NO WAY I WAS GOING TO TRY TO DRIVE IT ON THE FREEWAY AND HAVE IT STAHL ON ME. THEY PUT A THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR IN IT AND LET ME TAKE THE CAR. SO FAR TODAY IT HAS RAN FINE, BUT NO TELLING FOR HOW LONG. I AM SO SICK OF THIS CAR IT IS PATHETIC. I HAVE AN ARBITRATION COMING UP ON JUNE 24TH SO IM HOPING I WILL NOT HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS ANY LONGER. I ALSO HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME CAR WHO IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH HER BRAKES AND A COUPLE OTHER THINGS. I EVEN GOT AN EMAIL FROM SOMEBODY WHO'S CAR JUST CAUGHT ON FIRE ON SUNDAY (6/11/00) AND THEY HAD JUST GOTTEN OUT OF THE CAR. ONE MORE SECOND IN THAT CAR AND THEY WOULD HAVE BEEN DEAD. ALSO THERE WAS A 17 YEAR OLD GIRL THAT JUST DIED. HER CAR WENT OFF A CLIFF. THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN ISPECTED YET, BUT GUESS WHAT KIND OF CAR IS WAS. YEP, A 2000 KIA SEPHIA. IF YOU WANT MORE INFO LET ME KNOW.
THANKS
SUNDEE

From: OMTunion@aol.com
I purchased the car in 1999 it is a 1998 model, I've had all of the standard problems with the car; brakes, starter, tires, paint peeling, battery, exhaust system, dash wire harness, poor fuel mileage, loss of power from steering during quick turns, mushy suspension, unreliable gas meter. Maryland lemon law sucks and it does NOTHING to protect the consumer. I contacted my congress rep, you can guess what help they were, I can't afford a lawyer, I can just keep up with my bills. I just want Kia to buy back the car for what I still owe, pay for placing my life and family in danger, and all I have made payments on. If enough of us write letters to the CPA Consumer Protection Agency and to our local courts demanding retribution we may get some help. This is a problem that the US department of commerce/trade should be involved with since this manufacturer is producing dangerous products. I would also think that someone from the US board of public safety should be informed.
I have been trying for a year & 1/2 to get results but have gotten no ware. Don't loose any letters written to you or any documentation you have for your car. this is the only weapon we have to hit our government with. I'll contact you later if I get any more response.

From: Manrique Molina (molnava@sol.racsa.co.cr)
I have been reading the Kia reviews on different sites, and I have to admit it, mostly for laughs... I do not own a Kia, and sincerely I thought that most of the messages posted were not true (just a few unhappy owners spamming all web sites). However, recently I had the opportunity to drive a Kia Sportage for a couple of weeks (babysitting for my niece while she was on vacation). First time I looked at it I thought that it looked like a fine automobile (liked the style, it even looks like a high quality car!). I didnt suspect anything wrong, however my niece when she leaved said: please dont drive it too hard, try to keep it on pavement and below 55! I though she was kidding me but decided to follow her advice. I drove it for a couple of days and yes, it is very noisy and has no pick up at all but I thoght that it was safe to drive (by that I mean getting me from point A to point B with no breakdowns). Boy what I was wrong!!!!! On the third day I hit a speed bump at 10 mph and the thing went dead on me! I couldnt believe it! What a piece of crap! When my niece called she told me to call Robert at the Kia dealership (she has actually developed a friendship with this mechanic over this car). Frankly I will never buy a Kia unless there are Sport Illustrated Swimsuit models at the Kia dealership!!!!

From: JEvans8478@aol.com
Hello,
I e-mailed you a few weeks ago about my Kia Sportage. I have finally received the information from the Attorney Gerneral and the BBB. They both seem to say the same thing. I have sent the letter to Kia headquaters of America explaining the problems and such. Is any of this really going to do anything? Yesterday I went grocery shopping I opened the back hatch and it flew up so fast it knocked me down. Thank god my 12 year old was not the one opening it, it would have knocked her right in the face. I have to take my car back in on Tuesday again for the Brakes this is number 5. They have been fully replaced two times wrapped another. I am just so frustrated. Is there any chance on get the Class action suit. I have been reading info on the next. I can not beleive the close calls and the people who have died. I am afraid to drive the car with my kids in it.
Please tell me what I can do to help. Kia Motors needs to brought down before more people are killed, and disfigured, and just plain scared to death.
I asked the service department for the "Technichal Service Bulletins" on my auto he said he is not allowed to give them to me. However, I received a packet of informatin from the Attorney General and it says right in there packet they have to give it to you.
Do you know of any attorney in the state of Washington that represent lemon law? I really think at this point after reading all of the message and bulletins from people who just keep getting turned down by kia, that an attorney is going to be the only way to handle this.
I am sorry I am rambling I am just sooooo frustrated. Please give me any infroamtion you can that may help. And again I would be happy to any thing I can to get this suit going.
Thanks
Jackie Evans

From: TOMORROWRODRIGUE@aol.com
Hi, my name is tomorrow Rodriguez and I bought my Kia in 1994 brand new. After months of having it everything started to fall apart on it. I hated the care so much I tried to get out of it but the dealers charged me so much for the car no one wanted to take it so I ended up parking the kia and bought me another car. The kia has 76,000 miles and runs as if its a 20 year old car and I can't really say that because old cars run better than this Kia that I have. I have spent over 4,000 dollars for repairs since I've had the car and still can't get 2,000 for resale. So please get it out to concerned consumers not to by a KIA NEVER EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

From: LadyVice923@aol.com
Hello, my name is Jeannette Reyes and I am scheduled for an arbitration on June 23. I would like to join you or create a class action law suit against KIA. I would also appreciate it if you can help me or give me any information you have against KIA. I would appreciate it if you would contact me at this email address LadyVice932 or via phone at (XXX) XXX-XXXX.
thank you very much

From: Nyygirl33@aol.com
i came across your web site, i am a VERY VERY unhappy kia owner.... i had a 1998 sephia which was a lemon and was replaced with a 2000 sephia which ya'd think the headache would be over right?? well, NOT... i have problems with this car too. i also am intrested in a class action law suit.... if you have any info please please email me back!! ill be in touch again if youd like to know the WHOLE story
thank you
maria miccio...

From: Exlntchick@aol.com
I have a 98 kia sephia and I have had the same kind of problems, but I have also run into the problem of not being able to trade it in. Even the Kia lot would not take it back. This was my first new car purchase and I was not told they hold no value so no I feel stuck with the car. I will stick to buying used cars, I never had problems with them. Keep up the good work!

From: Sand628@aol.com
I read your e-mail on your Kia and am having similar problems. My Kia was fine until I took it into the dealership in Ocala, Fl, pursuant to a recall notice relating to the fuel harness. In January of this year, they performed the recall service on the fuel harness. Since that time, I've had the car towed three times because it wouldn't start. I've taken it to two Kia dealerships, one here in Ocala where almost all the work on it had been done, and one in Gainesville (hoping they could fix the car, if the Ocala dealer couldn't). The day after I got it back from the Gainesville dealer, I had to have it towed for the third time. The Ocala dealer "fixed" it yet again, and now, four days later, the air conditioner fan won't work. I've called the corporate office a number of times and have yet to receive any satisfactory answer (or any answer at all) from them. I'm still waiting.
I'm an attorney. I don't do litigation. But at this point, I'm thinking a class action lawsuit placed in the hands of an attorney who does this kind of thing might be a very good idea.
At the very least, I'm at the point where I want to get a litigation attorney to sue both Kia and the dealership(s).
Let me know if you feel that there are enough abused Kia owners who might want to pursue a class action lawsuit. If so, I'll see if I can find a firm who does class actions who'll take it on.
Sandy Durrence - sand628@aol.com - Phone XXX-XXX-XXXX; fax XXX-XXX-XXXX

From: BrinsonE@aol.com
My husband and I leased a new kia sportage in 1998 before we got married. Since then, we have had so many problems with this vehicle that it's unbelievable. We have had wind noise, our doors have rusted shut, we've had problems with the idle, a rattling engine, the back door (trunk) has rusted shut twice, we've had gas odors coming through the vent, our gears have not been shifting, etc., etc. We are really fed up woth this car and would like to know more about the lawsuit that you are going to start. We filed lemon law, but in between jobs and having a brand new baby girl, we weren't able to finish. And unfortunately, while in pursuit of reinbursement, we were in an accident with the vehicle (air bag didn't work). So during our arbitration period, they were unable to test drive the ragedy little thing! Please contact us as soon as you can and give us any information that you have!
P.S. Thanks for starting this site - we were thinking of doing one ourselves!
K&L Brooks

From: MiLkMaNXoX@aol.com
I just bought a 98' Kia which had to go to the shop the first couple months 5 Times! First there was a recall and I had to get my gas intake replaced. Then my brakes were jumping violently when I would press them, and then my car had a problem, that it would stall when I am stopped at a red light. Then my transmission completely failed on my and when it was in drive it was as if it was in nuetral. They had my car for 2 weeks to get the transmission in. Then when I got it back they had cheated me and put a used transmission which broke halfway to my house. And we completely flipped out on the president of the Kia shop. Then after another wek and a half I finall just now got it back and all it does is squeak. LETS PUT THOSE BASTARDS OUT OF BUISNESS ONCE AND FOR ALL. The dealer even said my car has negative equity. I cant believe them! They are nuts. They wouldnt even give us what we owe to trade it in for a new Kia. How can a 98 car be worth less than 5000?!?! Please write back.
~MiLkMaN

From: Genna93@aol.com
Hi. My daughter and I just got home from our Lemon Law Arbitration. We will have a decision in 5 days. Her speedometer, odometer, and check engine light are non functioning. This started 2 months after we purchased the car. Brakes have been replaced. ETC. We are more then willing to participate in a Class Action. Susan and Melissa Luh