Why do many mechanics still think Kia is junk?
- Thread starter Whammo
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I'm not a mechanic and still think that, I had a bad experience with an 04 Sportage, it's a mind set I guess. Although they may not be as bad as they were, it's hard to convince me to ever purchase a Kia or Hyundai ever because of that. Once your reputation as a brand is tarnished, it's hard to gain the trust of the consumer, on the flip side, they still have engine issues and are not on par with the Japanese quality.
Originally Posted by laserred96gt
... it's hard to gain the trust of the consumer, on the flip side, they still have engine issues and are not on par with the Japanese quality.
Facts disagree with your opinion (JDPowers, Consumer Reports for example).
Originally Posted by parimento1
I heard parts were hard to find. Do any parts stores have easy availability, or were you getting all your stuff from Rockauto?
Depends on the parts. Common things like alternators, radiators, hoses, belts, brakes, rotors, etc are very common.
Some things (like A/C parts, any engine internals, transmission parts) are dealer only.
Other things like bearings, interior parts, custom parts are hit and miss depending on model and year.
... it's hard to gain the trust of the consumer, on the flip side, they still have engine issues and are not on par with the Japanese quality.
Facts disagree with your opinion (JDPowers, Consumer Reports for example).
Originally Posted by parimento1
I heard parts were hard to find. Do any parts stores have easy availability, or were you getting all your stuff from Rockauto?
Depends on the parts. Common things like alternators, radiators, hoses, belts, brakes, rotors, etc are very common.
Some things (like A/C parts, any engine internals, transmission parts) are dealer only.
Other things like bearings, interior parts, custom parts are hit and miss depending on model and year.
Once you earned a bad reputation it can be hard to overcome it. That might still be the case with Kia/Hyundai. I started selling Kia back in 2001, they were crap, IMO total crap. They have come a long way and have improved tremendously now.
Anyone that works on them or builds components for multiple auto manufacturers knows that Hyundai/Kia tend to use cheaper components. They do this to save money and they will usually work fine when new but as they age the lower quality tends to start showing up. The reliability reports you read about are not for car over 150,000 miles. Some people can get the miles out of them while many will not. I used to make transmission components and KIA used a lot of plastic part where others used metal. Brake pads and rotors tended to be smaller and wear out faster. You don't normally see as many high mileage Hyundai/Kia cars on the road compared to Toyota/Honda/Ford/GM as they build slightly higher quality that simply holds up better when driven slightly harder.
Originally Posted by Whammo
I know Kias were bad prior to the late 2000s but some people still seem to think they are like they were back then.
I had a mechanic working on something and when it took longer than expected to repair it he mentioned that "Well, it is a Kia." And then he mentioned how dumb their engineers seem to be.
Are Kia's still regarded as unreliable and difficult to work on in mechanic circles?
Mechanics have a different point of view. IMO they equate the intelligence of an automakers engineer to the level of difficulty for a prescribed repair and the mileage for the part in question. I think there's some truth to that. Automakers design cars with manufacturing efficiency taking priority over repair efficiency.
Obviously mechanics are going to be performing work on out-of-warranty cars so they have a good idea of who the problem children are.
I know Kias were bad prior to the late 2000s but some people still seem to think they are like they were back then.
I had a mechanic working on something and when it took longer than expected to repair it he mentioned that "Well, it is a Kia." And then he mentioned how dumb their engineers seem to be.
Are Kia's still regarded as unreliable and difficult to work on in mechanic circles?
Mechanics have a different point of view. IMO they equate the intelligence of an automakers engineer to the level of difficulty for a prescribed repair and the mileage for the part in question. I think there's some truth to that. Automakers design cars with manufacturing efficiency taking priority over repair efficiency.
Obviously mechanics are going to be performing work on out-of-warranty cars so they have a good idea of who the problem children are.
twouvakind
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I have to agree with my auto body guy, they are expensive to repair after a collision. And that's using aftermarket and like kind condition parts.
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Originally Posted by JimPghPA
Recently my nieces (insert any automaker name here) engine had to be replaced because the knock sensor failed and that caused the engine to severely damage itself. Fortunately it was still under warranty. So yes (insert any automaker name here) engines still do go bad.
I could find the same story with every automaker that exists. That's the issue with anecdotal stories like this....
Recently my nieces (insert any automaker name here) engine had to be replaced because the knock sensor failed and that caused the engine to severely damage itself. Fortunately it was still under warranty. So yes (insert any automaker name here) engines still do go bad.
I could find the same story with every automaker that exists. That's the issue with anecdotal stories like this....
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Originally Posted by OilUzer
Originally Posted by clinebarger
I don't think Hyundai/Kia is junk, But much like Chrysler passenger cars.....They are generally sold to a poorer demographic that don't really fix anything 'til it's broken.
I personally think they are easy to work on & have decent diagnostic support.
When we were looking at cars, new Tuscon and Toyota RV4 and Mazda CX5 were basically same price. +/- $1000 of each other. My wife test drove all 3 and preferred the Tuscon. I was pushing for RAV4 since I'm a Toyota guy but she didn't like it. Maybe years ago Hyundai's were less expensive but not anymore.
The way to do it is buy a slightly used one, they depreciate faster.
My Genesis was $53k when new. I bought it with 53k miles for $20k.
Originally Posted by clinebarger
I don't think Hyundai/Kia is junk, But much like Chrysler passenger cars.....They are generally sold to a poorer demographic that don't really fix anything 'til it's broken.
I personally think they are easy to work on & have decent diagnostic support.
When we were looking at cars, new Tuscon and Toyota RV4 and Mazda CX5 were basically same price. +/- $1000 of each other. My wife test drove all 3 and preferred the Tuscon. I was pushing for RAV4 since I'm a Toyota guy but she didn't like it. Maybe years ago Hyundai's were less expensive but not anymore.
The way to do it is buy a slightly used one, they depreciate faster.
My Genesis was $53k when new. I bought it with 53k miles for $20k.
Because they Are! Lol ...‚
I like HyunKia's and have had five of them since a late eighties Festiva, no problems with any of them. I would not touch a Nissan product with a ten foot pole, mostly because of transmission problems. Remember Alex on Autos stating that Consumer Reports states that Nissan trans problems were largely solved years ago. So I guess we all carry prejudices. Mine are Fiat-Chrysler and Nissan-- maybe for no good reason.
Originally Posted by spk2000
Anyone that works on them or builds components for multiple auto manufacturers knows that Hyundai/Kia tend to use cheaper components. They do this to save money and they will usually work fine when new but as they age the lower quality tends to start showing up. The reliability reports you read about are not for car over 150,000 miles. Some people can get the miles out of them while many will not. I used to make transmission components and KIA used a lot of plastic part where others used metal. Brake pads and rotors tended to be smaller and wear out faster. You don't normally see as many high mileage Hyundai/Kia cars on the road compared to Toyota/Honda/Ford/GM as they build slightly higher quality that simply holds up better when driven slightly harder.
Plastic like BMW or Audi/VW were everything is plastic it seems? VW has plastic oil pans.
Hyundai has been upping their game of late. Hyundai stole a large group of designers and engineers from BMW and Audi years ago. My 2018 lowered Kona AWD 1.6T has large brakes and the rear Hyundai Multi-Link rear suspension looks just like the VW Golf R.
Hyundai has motor issues, they have for 10 years now. And the problem with the shavings in the crankshafts oiling holes is BS. Hyundai has a metallurgy/piston/ rod bearing/ oil pump and oil film boundary layer issues. The Koren way is to put your head in the sand and ignore the elephant. The same "Global Engine" (Theta 2) used by Hyundai Mitsubishi and Chrysler that use their own design and manufactured crank, rods and pistons, don't have anywhere near the engine replacement issues Hyundai/Kia has. I lost a long block at 14,000 miles from piston scuffing that sends metal through out the engine that takes out the lifters "Hyundai tick of death".
I like Hyundai's and my Kona has the Gamma model engine, which is one of Hyundai/Kia's best engines. Let's just hope after 10 years of issues, Hyundai's Theta 3 new 2022 engine will not have those issues. Instead they spend 100's &100's millions of $$ on replacing 14% to 16% of all their engines put in their cars. Thew was a Hyundai mechanic that was on the Hyundai forums that said their dealership had 250 car waiting for engines and their different manufacture/brand dealerships were getting their Hyundai/Kia car to have their mechanic's install motors into Hyundai/Kias at a Chevy/ Ford/ VW/Jaguar dealership.
Anyone that works on them or builds components for multiple auto manufacturers knows that Hyundai/Kia tend to use cheaper components. They do this to save money and they will usually work fine when new but as they age the lower quality tends to start showing up. The reliability reports you read about are not for car over 150,000 miles. Some people can get the miles out of them while many will not. I used to make transmission components and KIA used a lot of plastic part where others used metal. Brake pads and rotors tended to be smaller and wear out faster. You don't normally see as many high mileage Hyundai/Kia cars on the road compared to Toyota/Honda/Ford/GM as they build slightly higher quality that simply holds up better when driven slightly harder.
Plastic like BMW or Audi/VW were everything is plastic it seems? VW has plastic oil pans.
Hyundai has been upping their game of late. Hyundai stole a large group of designers and engineers from BMW and Audi years ago. My 2018 lowered Kona AWD 1.6T has large brakes and the rear Hyundai Multi-Link rear suspension looks just like the VW Golf R.
Hyundai has motor issues, they have for 10 years now. And the problem with the shavings in the crankshafts oiling holes is BS. Hyundai has a metallurgy/piston/ rod bearing/ oil pump and oil film boundary layer issues. The Koren way is to put your head in the sand and ignore the elephant. The same "Global Engine" (Theta 2) used by Hyundai Mitsubishi and Chrysler that use their own design and manufactured crank, rods and pistons, don't have anywhere near the engine replacement issues Hyundai/Kia has. I lost a long block at 14,000 miles from piston scuffing that sends metal through out the engine that takes out the lifters "Hyundai tick of death".
I like Hyundai's and my Kona has the Gamma model engine, which is one of Hyundai/Kia's best engines. Let's just hope after 10 years of issues, Hyundai's Theta 3 new 2022 engine will not have those issues. Instead they spend 100's &100's millions of $$ on replacing 14% to 16% of all their engines put in their cars. Thew was a Hyundai mechanic that was on the Hyundai forums that said their dealership had 250 car waiting for engines and their different manufacture/brand dealerships were getting their Hyundai/Kia car to have their mechanic's install motors into Hyundai/Kias at a Chevy/ Ford/ VW/Jaguar dealership.
Originally Posted by Mainia
Plastic like BMW or Audi/VW were everything is plastic it seems? VW has plastic oil pans.
AMC was using plastic valve covers on the 258 L6 over 35 years ago long before VW, BMW and the others got into the plastic business. Composites have a long history and have come a long way since those days, personally I much prefer a plastic pan to thin sheet metal that rust in no time and can be a real pain to change.
Some of this stuff is tougher than aluminum, we beat the daylights out of a plastic pan with a BFH and it took some real work to break it, one hit on the aluminum and it was cracked. Material aging doesn't seem to be an issue either.
Plastic like BMW or Audi/VW were everything is plastic it seems? VW has plastic oil pans.
AMC was using plastic valve covers on the 258 L6 over 35 years ago long before VW, BMW and the others got into the plastic business. Composites have a long history and have come a long way since those days, personally I much prefer a plastic pan to thin sheet metal that rust in no time and can be a real pain to change.
Some of this stuff is tougher than aluminum, we beat the daylights out of a plastic pan with a BFH and it took some real work to break it, one hit on the aluminum and it was cracked. Material aging doesn't seem to be an issue either.
4WD
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Trav … think the plastic radiator ends go back around that far too …
I believe that's correct although I cant remember the first time I saw them but IIRC it was in a MB V8 car.
Simple, mechanics see old cars and old Kias could be problematic.
Kias were piles for a while and initially sales driven by people who did not generally maintain them.
Kias were piles for a while and initially sales driven by people who did not generally maintain them.
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