This letter was sent to KIA Customer Service a year ago in 2013. To this day they have not acknowledged it. I also sent a copy to the NHTSA. No response there either. See below...
Our Sedona is in the repair shop getting a new windshield and hood replacement. On Tuesday October 8th, my wife and 2 children were on their way home from school in our 2008 Sedona when the hood popped open on the highway and smashed the windscreen. Luckily, my wife was able to bring the car to a stop on the highway 50 MPH) without crashing into anyone. This, in spite of her view being completely blocked by the hood which was now laying across the windshield. She called 911 for assistance and was escorted off the road.
As you can imagine, my family was extremely frightened after this event. Up until this point, the car was in excellent shape with about 29,000 miles on the Odometer, and was purchased brand new from a local dealer on Northern Blvd in 2008. I cannot comprehend how a hood can pop open and bypass the second safety latch/hook. We live in Queens, New York. The car was never in an accident and recently had a service recall/repair done. A squeaky pulley tensioner replacement and wheel alignment was also done during this visit. (BTW the pulley replacement was not covered under warranty). I am very uneasy with the hood popping incident and am questioning the overall quality and safety of Kia products. I also own a Rondo and had been considering another Kia for my daughter, but may forego this purchase.
This letter was sent to KIA Customer Service a year ago in 2013. To this day they have not acknowledged it. I also sent a copy to the NHTSA. No response there either. See below...
Our Sedona is in the repair shop getting a new windshield and hood replacement. On Tuesday October 8th, my wife and 2 children were on their way home from school in our 2008 Sedona when the hood popped open on the highway and smashed the windscreen. Luckily, my wife was able to bring the car to a stop on the highway 50 MPH) without crashing into anyone. This, in spite of her view being completely blocked by the hood which was now laying across the windshield. She called 911 for assistance and was escorted off the road.
As you can imagine, my family was extremely frightened after this event. Up until this point, the car was in excellent shape with about 29,000 miles on the Odometer, and was purchased brand new from a local dealer on Northern Blvd in 2008. I cannot comprehend how a hood can pop open and bypass the second safety latch/hook. We live in Queens, New York. The car was never in an accident and recently had a service recall/repair done. A squeaky pulley tensioner replacement and wheel alignment was also done during this visit. (BTW the pulley replacement was not covered under warranty). I am very uneasy with the hood popping incident and am questioning the overall quality and safety of Kia products. I also own a Rondo and had been considering another Kia for my daughter, but may forego this purchase.
- frico00, BAYSIDE, NJ, US