Kia

The Center for Auto Safety is the nation’s premier independent, member driven, non-profit consumer advocacy organization dedicated to improving vehicle safety, quality, and fuel economy on behalf of all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians.



WHAT YOU CAN DO


Learning of Other Complaints:
For $20-40, you can get a computer printout of complaints &/or service
bulletins from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Include make, model & year as the more specific the request, the less
expensive the printout. Write Technical Reference Division, NHTSA, 400
7th St SW, Washington DC 20590 & allow 3 weeks for delivery. To access
complaint summaries for particular makes, models & years, visit NHTSA's
Internet website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.


Technical Service Bulletins
(TSBs)
: Kia publishes TSBs to help dealers diagnose
& repair problems on vehicles. Some dealers will let you view TSBs.
You can access TSB summaries via NHTSA's Website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
NHTSA's Technical Information Services, which can be contacted through
NHTSA's Auto Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236, can also send a
particular TSB once you identify it from NHTSA's Website or its computer
printout. ALLDATA provides free access to TSB summaries & sells copies
of TSBs listed on its Website. You can also buy them from HELM, Inc. Call
800-782-4356 for ordering information. For your use, we have listed some
of the more comprehensive TSBs on your vehicle. Check the above sources
for other TSBs.


Recalls & Investigations:
Call NHTSA's toll-free Auto Safety Hotline at 800-424-9393 or 888-DASH-2-DOT
(in Washington DC 202-366-0123) or visit NHTSA's website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.


Small Claims Court:
Go to small claims for advice on
using small claims court to recover repair & other expenses. The Lemon
Book
(Moyer-Bell 1990) by Ralph Nader has an entire chapter
on small claims court strategy, a state-by-state index & a chapter
on your legal rights to help you better argue your case in court. You
can order the book for $17.50 from CAS Publications.


Lemon Lawsuits:
If you have to sue Kia over a lemon, go to CAS-Lawyers
for a list of attorneys specializing in lemon law.


Complain to Kia:
Write Mr. B.M. Ahn, CEO, Kia Motors America, PO Box 52410, Irvine CA 92619-2410
or call Kia at 800-747-2191.


Using Better Business
Bureau Arbitration
: Kia uses BBB to arbitrate original
owners' requests for repair reimbursement, an order that Kia “buy-back”
your car, or both. Program is not legally binding on consumer, so you
may reject bad decision & go to court. Call 800-955-5100 for BBB program
or go to BBB Autoline.
The Lemon Book has a chapter to guide you through BBB
Arbitration and can help get “buy-backs” & reimbursements. The Lemon
Book
is available from CAS for $17.50 from CAS
Publications.


Secret Warranty Disclosure
Laws
:
Four states (CA, CT, VA & WI) have laws requiring automakers to disclose
any secret warranties on their cars. Contact your state attorney general
for information or to support such laws. Little Secrets of
the Auto Industry
(Moyer-Bell 1994) by CAS is devoted to
secret warranties, how to find them & use them. Little
Secrets
is available for $17.50 from CAS
Publications.


Supporting Kia Recall
Efforts
: Help us force the government to protect consumers
by writing your Senators and Representative in Congress, urging them to
contact NHTSA & the Federal Trade Commission on your defects in your
Kia vehicle. Your local library has names of your representatives; write
them c/o US Senate (or House), Washington DC 20510 (or 20515). Find and/or
e-mail them at www.house.gov/writerep/
and www.senate.gov.


Support CAS' Efforts:
File a complaint with CAS which will be
used to pressure Kia to take responsibility for defects in its vehicles.
Become a CAS member by making a tax-deductible
contribution to help us in our fight on your behalf against Kia and the
other auto giants.