ComplaintsforAllentown Kia

• Initial Complaint

  07/24/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  When the vehicle was purchased we had also purchased the extended warranty, the original warrenty had covered the vehicle up to 60,000 miles. I was told by the sales man that the extended warranty would cover an additional 60,000 miles. My vehicle is at 105,600 highway miles, so when my engine had stopped working I had contacted the dealership for them to take care of the engine issue. The repair person is now telling me that my extended warranty was only coverage to 100,000 miles, although if I would have 103,000 miles on the vehicle then they would change the engine. After spending approximately $37,000 for a brand new vehicle, and properly maintaining the vehicle with oil changes, etc. I think that the Kia dealership should stand behind their product. I have also seen that there are continuous complaints and problems with this particular engine. But because Kia has not done a recall on this engine they do not think that they should be held accountable for the "manufacturer defect" as was told to me by their service manager.

  

  Business response

  08/16/2023

  Hello ***************** I am the owner of the dealership - I am going to personally reach out to KIA to see if they would be willing to good-will this for you, Give me some time and I will be in touch,

  Kind regards,

  *************************

  

  Business response

  08/16/2023

  Hello - This vehicle was sold to you prior to us purchasing the dealership in 2015 - ******** KIA sold it - therefore leaving us a bad BBB is not really fair - In the future we suggest you do all of your kia maintenance with a certified kia dealership/shop - and not independent - their oil changes and maintenance may be cheaper but it's because their technicians are not trained and certified to work on KIA's and they do not have all of the updated tools and equipment that is needed to ensure your vehicle performs at the highest level. **** ****** one of my directors will be reaching out to try to resolve this in some way but there are no guarantees and we really would appreciate if you removed this until then. thank you

  Allentown KIA Management

• Initial Complaint

  06/26/2023

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I purchased an extended warranty for the 2018 **** ******* I bought from Allentown Kia on 3/15/23. The vehicle was totaled in an accident on 3/28/23. After the vehicle was totaled I reached out to the warranty company ************ on 4/7/23. They emailed me over a form to fill out and send to the dealership as I was entitled to a full refund for the extended warranty.That same day, 4/7/23, I called Allentown Kia and was instructed by ************************* to email him the form and he would submit it to ************. From there once he got the refund check from ************ the dealership would then mail me a check. After sending ***** the form he did not reply until 6/2/23. In this reply he sent me a letter he received from the finance company, ************ dated 4/5/23 stating they wanted the refund to go directly to them and they would then mail the balance to me. This caused major frustration on my end as the letter was sent to Allentown Kia 2 months earlier and they never bothered to relay this to me. I called *********** and they informed me the dealership could call them directly and let them know that they would issue my refund directly to me. I relayed this information over to ***** via email on 6/2/23. Allentown Kia never called *********** On 6/6/23 ***** responded to my email stating he had not heard anything from his team on whether or not they already mailed the check to *********** or not.After that email from ***** on 6/6/23, I sent him an email on 6/6, 6/19, and 6/23 asking for an update. He finally responded on 6/26/23 saying the contract was canceled on 3/28/23 and he could not go against the instructions of the finance company mailed to them on 4/5 to refund me directly. I called *********** today 6/26/23 and they have not received any refund check from Allentown Kia. I followed up with ***** via email asking when the refund check was mailed and he has not responded.

  

  Business response

  06/29/2023

  Hello

  Warranty refunds generally take 90-120 days to process - this refund has been sent out to be processed so at this point it's a matter of time. We have initiated it on our end and we will follow up to ensure it comes asap. thank you!

  *************************

  Owner

  Allentown KIA

• Initial Complaint

  12/31/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a truck from Kia in June 2021. I have been trying to contact the company for the last two weeks due to the vehicle breaking down. I purchased an extended warranty. The warranty company also does not return any phone calls. I have asked how to get my truck repaired. I had to pay out of pocket towing plus nearly $300 to a garage who can not find the source of why the truck will not stay running and $125 towing. I have called many times to only leave messages and told no finance manager was available to speak with. Yet days go by and not one call is ever returned. Finally yesterday I was told that i would have to pay yet another towing bill out of pocket for my truck to be towed 40 miles to the dealership for them to allow me to yes pay a 3rd towing bill to have the truck repaired at a dodge dealer after Kia approves it. So far I am out hundreds of dollars on a truck I have had a little over one year. No vehicle to transport myself to work and a run around to speak to a finance manager. The best part was when I called yet again today asked to speak with the finance manager I said and I quote is there even a finance manager working there because no one returns my calls. I was told no no one is here. What excellent customer service! If your going to sell a warranty your employees should know what they are selling. You had no problem charging me $3,999 for the warranty. I have all original paperwork from the vehicle sale.

  

  Business response

  01/06/2023

  We will be in touch with you shortly to resolve this - Sorry about any issues it's unacceptable and you have my word it will be addressed.

   

  *************************

  Dealer

   

  Customer response

  01/12/2023

  Better Business Bureau

  Someone did reach out to me from the dealership. However the warranty has not approved any repairs and even better while my truck has been sitting at the dodge dealer to be repaired  the catalytic converter was cut off of it in the dealership parking lot. This can be verified by the dealership. ****************** in Tamaqua. We are now exceeding one month and there is zero resolution. 
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  
  Regards,
  
  ***********************

• Initial Complaint

  12/20/2022

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  I purchased a new 2021 kia ****** from Allentown Kia on 12/30/2021. Upon signing the purchase agreement I noticed a $2613 service contract. When I ask about the charge I was told by Finance manager, Edwin S****************** that it was an extended warranty. The vehicle only had 10 miles on the odometer. Told him I never asked for an extended warranty on a brand new car. I was told I could get a refund when I traded in the car. I did not know until recently that, that charge could have been taken off the purchase agreement. Looking closer, I found he also added $850 gap insurance. From what I understand, this fee is the highest category and the most costly. All together, Allentown Kia over charged me $3400. As for the car.. it’s a lemon. Throughout the past year, the ****** had been burning through oil. I’ve had to purchase oil to add in between the 3500 mile oil changes. I had an appointment Nov 25 but on Nov 11, 2022, (with 28,707 miles on the car) the engine light was blinking and I had to take it to another dealer closer to my home where I was told the engine needed to be replaced. Nearly 2 months later, I finally get my car back. Naturally, I’m not keeping the car cause I don’t feel safe. I’ve express my issues with the car and dealerships shady tactics to another finance manager which seemed sympathetic and ask if what they could do to help out the situation. He confirmed that “the 2021 ****** did have engine problems among other issues”. They said they could buy back the car. I told them all I wanted was 100% refund of the $3400. They told me not possible. I’d only get a prorated portion back instead. Then I asked for them to pay off the balance of my loan. They refused and would only make me an offer to pay part of my loan and I would have to pay them $6000 to get out of the loan. How is this fair? They sold me a lemon and over charged me $3400. To make matters worse, I’ve paid over $1115. in car payments on a car that I wasn’t able to drive.

  

  Business response

  12/21/2022

  Hi **** - 

  I am the owner of Allentown KIA , **** , I am going to personally get involved to ensure this is handled for you - apologize for any issues - we don't manufacture the cars - and ****** is a GREAT vehicle I can promise you that - Let's see what we can do to make this right for you.

  Jake L*************

  

  Business response

  01/03/2023

   I believe we resolved this matter amicably for both parties today and the case with the BBB is settled with a positive outcome for the customer, ********************
  

  
  

  Customer response

  01/07/2023

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me. 
  

  FINAL UPDATE: As stated previously, i wrote about my experience in dealing with Allentown Kia in my purchase of a 2021 kia ******* Shortly after, I was contacted by the GM of the dealership in which he ask me for more detail. He made promises that I am very happy to report, were actually followed through on and now my business with this dealership is complete. Thank you for doing what your promised.. For what it’s worth moving forward, please don’t ignore emails and phone calls from customers who have issues. Please deal with them immediately so they don’t feel ignored, hopeless and stuck with the situation that wasn’t due to any cause of their own. My intention in posting a public review of my experience was simply to warn future unsuspecting customers. Allentown Kia could have been dealt with the issues a much more timely manner! Although I am no longer a kia owner…. I do feel kia vehicle have lots of potential. As for Allentown kia dealership, they have a-lot of work to do in learning how to treat customers fairly and transparent in their sales tactics. Happy 2023!! 
  
  Regards,
  
  *******************

• Initial Complaint

  12/08/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Service or Repair Issues

  Status:

  Answered

  More info

  I took my 2019 Kia ***** to Allentown Kia for an Oil change about a Month ago. Let the Assistant Service Manager know there's condensation in my Headlight and I don't know why. Asked for it to be fixed as my car is under Warranty. I have 26, 779 miles on my car. Was told I was covered to 60,000 Miles! I didn't hit my car or anything. I told them I don't want any further damage to happen to my car, and the Assistant Service Manager told me "We will cross that bridge when we get there". It's clearly a Factory issue and would just like my Headlight fixed as it's under Warranty. The Headquarters in Seoul South Korea  also keeps giving me the run around.

  

  Business response

  12/15/2021

  December 15, 2021
  
  BBB Serving Metro Washington DC
  50 West North Street
  Bethlehem, PA 18018-5789
  
  RE: Complaint ********; ***************************
  
  Dear *************************,
  we submitted a warranty claim, including photographs as per Kia Motors guidelines and **. ******** warranty claim was denied. As a Kia dealership, Allentown Kia does not have the authority to authorize warranty repairs. Warranty approvals are solely decided by the vehicle manufacturer, in this case Kia Motors America.
  If ****************** does not agree with the decision he should contact Kia Motors America at **************.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  Eric W********
  Director of Operations
  
  Cc: file
  

• Initial Complaint

  11/03/2021

  Complaint Type:

  Product Issues

  Status:

  Resolved

  More info

  This complaint if about the Parts Department at Allentown Kia. I had purchased the Visor Kit for my recently purchased 2022 Kia **** Part# ***********. I had trouble with the fit on this kit. I learned after I applied the Drivers Side, front and rear that the Passenger Side Front had been missing from the package. I contacted the Parts Department and the representative told me there was none in stock, that he would have to order another kit and call me. I removed the 3 pieces that I had put on my car and went back to the Parts Department and wanted a refund because I could not install the Visor with the clips that were included because they would not work and without using the clips there would be holes in the Visor that were precut for using the clips. Not only did the clips not work, I tried installing them with the sticky tape and noticed that the fit was not correct toward the front of the vehicle. There was about a 1/4 inch gap that would allow rain to get by and come in my vehicle. The Parts Department person told me that I could not return the Kit because it the 3 Visors had already been applied and removed from my 2022 Kia ****. How could I have possible known the Kit would not have worked without applying it to my car? After investigating the part # of this Kit, I found out that it was made for a 2020 Kia ****. It is not compatible with my 2022 Kia ****. The clips did not work nor did the fit on the front of the Visors have a tight fit. https://www.kiapartsnow.com/accessories/kia-sport_visors.***************************************************************************

  

  Business response

  11/15/2021

  November 15, 2021 

  Dear *** ******,

  From my understanding we promptly refunded your purchase at your request and prior to the notification by the BBB on Saturday November 6, 2021. I enclosed a copy of the credit receipt for your records. If this is not the case, please let me know. 
  

  Sincerely, 
  Eric W.

  Director of Operations

  Customer response

  11/19/2021

  [A default letter is provided here which indicates your acceptance of the business's response.  If you wish, you may update it before sending it.]
  
  Better Business Bureau:
  
  I have reviewed the response made by the business in reference to complaint ID ********, and find that this resolution is satisfactory to me.  They have refunded me before the complaint was sent to them.  Thank you!
  
  Regards,
  
  ****** ******
  

*Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business. ↩