Complaints

The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. 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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/18/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  We bought a 2015 Ford F-150 from Kia on 11/18/23 Amount for loan was 37,703.48. We had the truck for less then 3 weeks and a coolant hose busted (which we asked them the day we bought it to add more coolant which was never done), That costed us around $500.00 for us to fix because Kia wouldn't help us and the Warranty only covered major motor work. We were fine with that and just paid out of pocket to fix it. Then less than 2 weeks after that the truck left us stuck on the side of the road again. We had to pay not one but 2 towing bills to have the truck brought to Lugoff SC Ford dealership to be diagnosed The truck has been with Lugoff Ford since the end of December. The warranty company ( AUI Policy # ASLFFB87223K23 Phone # 1-888-285-2567) has done everything under the sun not to have to fix the problem. Lugoff Ford diagnosed the truck that there was a rod baron frailer in the motor. They have sent several people to inspect the truck and do all kinds of test. They finally said they will replace the motor but they won't cover the hoses and gaskets. Lugoff Ford told us we would have to come out of pocket over $1600.00 to cover them charges because the warranty company won't. I have called Kia in Columbia several times and now no one will call me back or even try to make this right with us. I'm curious to know if Kia knew about all these problems before they even sold us the truck. There had to be test or diagnostic done somewhere. We got this truck and a month later the motor blows up in it. We have been without this Vehicle almost 2 months now. We have been making the payments every month ( $545.51) and the Insurance ( $231.00) for a vehicle we don't even have and can't get no help to fix the whole problem. The warranty company wasn't going to even pay because KIa had the mileage wrong on the paperwork to start with. I keep getting the run around and that I have to pay out of pocket and I don't think this is fair to me. I'm at my whits end with them all

  Business Response

  Date: 03/20/2024

  Our General Manager is in communication with the customer and they are working on a resolution.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:03/15/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I purchaseda toyota ch-r 2018 camry from this company in a financial leasing agreement on December 19.2023 the vehicle had a check engine light on the next day , i took the car back and they replaced the purge valve ans gas cap , yet again the next day the vehicle had the check engine light on , i then called and was guided to take the car to the toyota dealership to have them perform a diagnostics test on it . I went somewhere closer and took the paperwork to kia and the salesperson told me that my paperwork wasn't valid because it didn’t come from toyota and that he couldn't make me any promises about fixing the vehicle , it does have a warranty on the vehicle , im looking to have the issues resolved by them fixing it correctly and not charging me for their services which isn’t my fault.

  Business Response

  Date: 03/18/2024

  Our General Manager has spoken to the customer and has made arrangements to assist in diagnosing the vehicle.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:01/22/2024

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  JTs Kia replaced steering parts and replaced a broken window after car was stolen. When I picked up my car the stupid service department did not bother cleaning the car up. There was broken glass everywhere and paperwork in the floorboard. They also had put duct tape on the area where the broken window was and when they pulled it off the duct tape pulled the paint off in 6 places then had the audacity to claim whoever had painted it did a poor job. It was a brand new car in 2017 and had never been painted. So they are refusing to paint my car and they need to take care of that since they caused the issue.

  Business Response

  Date: 01/24/2024

  Our service manager has spoken to the customer and has an appointment with the customer to bring the vehicle in.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/10/2023

  Type:Billing Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  I took my Kia Optima to JT Kia for an engine replacement since there was a recall on them. They replaced it but the odometer still read the same thing 200,000. A couple months had past and my engine started acting up and come to find out I had a blown head gasket. I took it back to Kia and they told me on multiple occasions that the price was $1,100.00. I called again twice before I went to Kia with the money in hand how much it was and they still said $1,100.00. Once I made it to Kia to pay the price that’s when the price changed to $11,000.00. They kept saying that’s what they were saying the whole time was $11,000. They said they recorded calls and they can go back and see and I said okay that they could do that. I never received a call or anything about the calls or anything

  Business Response

  Date: 10/11/2023

  Our service manager has scheduled an appointment to meet with the customer to determine if any assistance is available. The repair that was previously completed was done over 18000 miles ago and the factory warranty on the engine repair is for only 12000 miles. We do what we can to assist. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:09/25/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  JT’s Kia of Columbus, SC sold us a car on September 5, 2023 they didn’t own. The Vin # S075021 was listed on the JT’s Kia website as a 2020 Toyota Limited Premium for $42,231.00. So, we chatted on the internet and with a sales representative (Jamar) over a couple of days by phone and text. We were assured by Jamar that the car was exactly what was advertised. We even verified the car was non-smoking since that would be a deal breaker. It was perfect and we decided to purchase it sight unseen. Problem, JT’s KIA does not have a car that matches what they sold us. We were required to conduct a wire transfer for them to save the Limited Premium for us. Sent them the wire transfer for $43,231.00 and told them we would be there on the morning of September 13th to sign for the car and drive it home. When we arrived, it was not a Toyota Limited Premium, but an XLE. We were told by Mike, JT’s KIA Sales Manager, that with Toyota’s VIN# do not always come back with the correct information and we could not rely on pictures, descriptions, or website information but needed “confirm the accuracy of the included equipment by calling us prior to purchase”. We didn’t, we talked with JT’s KIA Sales representative extensively. We were completely misled, as the Salesman assured us that this was a Limited Premium vehicle. When we arrived on the 13th, we were presented with an XLE Model. The sales representative said that Toyota stopped putting “Limited” on the rear hatch when we asked about the Toyota branding. Not true. They attempted to sell us the XLE assuming after we drove 390 miles from Ashford, Alabama to Columbia, South Carolina. JT’s KIA refunded our money in full. I requested reimbursement of our expenses in the amount of $1,3339.26 since we were misled about the vehicle’s availability/ownership. Expenses included car rental, lodging, gas, and meals since we acted in good faith to purchase the vehicle. Of course, Mike said no acting like this was our fault.

  Business Response

  Date: 09/25/2023

  The customer and our General Manager have come to an agreement on this issue.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:08/02/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  March 2023 I took my car to the dealership for a recall. After their inspection I noticed my car was making a loud rumbling noise when the speed exceeded 70 mph. In April 2023 I bought my car back in to have it inspected for the noise. I was told the manager took my car out on the interstate and didn’t hear anything to bring it back if the noise continued. July 2023 I tried making an appointment via the app but there was no availability until September 2023. My husband called and was told August 23, 2023 or I could bring my car and leave it. This car is my only transportation. Meanwhile the bottom piece has fallen from under my car and is scraping on the road no matter what my speed is. I called Kia back again on July 29. 2023 and was given a date of September 9. Until then me and my three kids are expected to drive around in a brand new 2022 $40,000 car that’s scrapping the ground. This is unsafe and unacceptable!

  Business Response

  Date: 08/02/2023

  Our service manager has spoken to the customer and has an appointment tomorrow to inspect the vehicle. 

• Initial Complaint

  Date:05/18/2023

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 5/5/2023, I went to JT's Kia at 230 Killian Commons Pkwy, Columbia SC 29203. I came to put a deposit on a 2023 Kia Carnival. I drove with me a car that I was potentially trading in. It is a 2020 Mercedes GLS 450. The car is originally silver but was wrapped with a vinyl wrap in the color Vampire Red. My salesman was Deon and I also dealt extensively with sales manager, Darryl. I talked with both at the table for this whole process of negotiation. As we were doing the sales order to see what it would trade in for which I have attached as the original order confirmation.png. On there you can see they valued the trade in at $63,000. I wanted $64,000. Darryl went to go ask some folks at the business desk who I assume is his manager. He came back to our table and said we are giving $63,000 because it cost $1000 to remove the wrap on the car. He said we can't sell a car with a wrap on it. I brought up I could remove the wrap on my own and save $1000. Darryl said you don't want to do that as you could damage it. I was curious why he would care. I agreed to the $63,000 due to him saying they will remove the wrap before putting it for sale. Fast forward, the Kia Carnival came in for me to pickup and do paperwork on 5/12/2023. When I came in, all the paperwork was finished and I picked up the car. As I waited for my car to get gassed up outside, a gentlemen came out to take information off the car that works there. He was asking why was I selling it and he mentioned he is going to pull info off it and get the car listed (which in my head means they are not removing the wrap). Few days later after weekend, the car is now listed with detailed pictures and description. It is listed in red (description and multiple pictures): ****************************************************************************************  I called Darryl today 5/18 and he says it's not my business what they do but I said it was due to our verbal agreement as he lied to make a deal.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/22/2023

  Our General Manager has spoken to the customer and resolved the issue.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/28/2023

  Type:Customer Service Issues
  Status:

  ResolvedMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  On 2/13/2023 I purchased a brand new 2023 Kia Telluride with the understanding that I would be able to tow with it. When it came time for me to need the Hitch installed, (near the end of March) I contacted a reputable installer and was told that the hitch was available but not the wiring harness. I did more research and learned that in 2021 and 2022, the Telluride had an issue with the wiring harness for trailers and did NOT issue a wiring harness for the 2023 model year. I contacted Kia of America and got an email stating that there is no fix for the problem as of yet and if I use an aftermarket part I'll void my warranty. So, now I am stuck with a vehicle that won't do what I was told it would do and the dealer refuses to admit it's an issue. Since I don't have it in writing that they said I could tow with it, my last email from the general manager said: " Jts Kia never promised you a tow package on the telluride. Jts Kia has nothing in writing stating we promised you anything." He offered me $500 for inconveniences. I think $5000 is more than fair as I either have to hire someone to tow for me or buy another vehicle that will do the job my new vehicle can't.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/01/2023

  Before finalizing the purchase of the vehicle, the customer was informed that Kia does not offer a hitch for the vehicle. The customer determined he would still purchase the vehicle. The issue for Kia is the wiring harness is not available for the vehicle. We offered the customer $500 as a good will even though the customer was informed, we do not offer a hitch for the vehicle before purchasing the vehicle.

  Business Response

  Date: 05/04/2023

  Our GM and the customer have agreed to a resolution. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 05/04/2023

  
  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.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ***** *****

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/05/2023

  Type:Order Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Jts Kia dealership lied on my credit application to make a sale. I did not realize it until months later after looking over my paperwork. I sent a letter stating the laws they have violated and still have not heard anything back. The letter was sent by certified mail so, I know they received it on 01//24/2022.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/05/2023

  This deal required proof of income. The customer provided us paystubs that were turned into the bank and verified by the bank. As a dealership, we have strong policies against the type of behavior this customer is suggesting.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/04/2023

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  Resolved:

  The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.

  Unresolved:

  The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.

  Answered:

  The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.

  Unanswered:

  The business failed to respond to the dispute.

  Unpursuable:

  BBB is unable to locate the business.

  Purchased a 2017 Honda Accord from JT'S KIA, 230 Killian Commons Pkwy., Columbia, SC on April 23, 2022. A purchase that I am regretting. The car was delivered to from the dealership via JT’s Kia workers to Orangeburg, SC on April 24, 2022. The issue with the car is the transmission and CV axle. JT Kia did take car to a Honda dealership with no resolution to repair the issue. I am currently having to pay for a car that I can not use due to JT’s Kia antics for only making a sale and not caring about the customer or resolving the issue.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/07/2023

  We have spoken to the customer and are working on scheduling and appointment to inspect the vehicle. 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/13/2023

  
  Complaint: ********
  
  I am rejecting this response because: Yes, the vehicle has been picked up. However, the issue of the vehicle remains the same from the day of delivery from JT Kia.  

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********

  Business Response

  Date: 04/19/2023

  We are attempting to diagnose the vehicle. We will send a final response once we have determined the cause.