8.0

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
23,050 miles
Total Complaints:
1 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. engine repair (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2020 Kia Sportage:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

Get free help with your lemon!
close ad
problem #1

Aug 252022

Sportage

  • Automatic transmission
  • 23,027 miles

On August 25, 2022, my engine was seized while driving to the grocery store. Just moments before the engine seized, the check engine light and oil indicator light came on and seconds later the engine seized. My car stalled at the intersection. I immediately had my car towed to the nearest Kia Dealership for inspection. There was no prior warning or indication that the oil pressure was low.

A technician at Healey Kia contacted me on August 30, 2022, with the diagnostics of my vehicle and provided a video. They found that the oil drain plug was missing, there was no oil in the car, and found oil buildup streaming along the bottom of my vehicle. They also stated that there was no damage/wear to the oil drain plug location and this issue was a result of the oil drain plug being loose causing it to eventually fall out. A technical support representative confirmed this diagnosis, stating this repair would cost $13,840 for parts, service, and labor after taxes. I was then told that this would not be covered by warranty because my last oil change was not with a Kia dealership.

I was told to contact Kia Customer Care with my claim and that I should also pursue the oil company that serviced my vehicle last. I called Kia Customer Care on August 31, 2022, at 5:59 pm ET and made my claim with Customer Care. My Claim was submitted for Good Will and on September 2, 2022, I was denied goodwill. The Kia Customer Care representative informed me that it was denied for outside influence and that I should pursue the oil company that last changed my oil and check with my insurance company to have my repairs covered.

I had my oil changed three months prior to the oil drain plug falling out. Kia insisted that I pursue the oil company for damages to my vehicle. The oil company assured that a serious check and cross-check, in addition to other procedures, are performed on every oil change that is performed. Their certified lube technicians will never use a pneumatic/power tool to tighten your oil drain plug, it is done manually using a torque wrench to the manufacturer's specified torque.

I have been given the run around with Kia warranty with my brand new vehicle. The oil drain plug falling out is a common issue and I have been without a vehicle for months now. I vehemently regret purchasing my Kia vehicle. They do not protect their customers and will not fix issues with their vehicles even when they are covered under warranty.

I have been in contact with Kia Customer Care for months and have had no luck in getting this issue resolved. The dealership is only concerned about getting top dollar to repair this vehicle and I am still stuck paying for a vehicle with 23,000 miles that does not work. Kia is the worst company and is continuing to cause extreme hardship for me and my family.

The oil company is not at fault and can prove that they are not at fault for the missing drain plug months after service and Kia warranty insists that the oil drain plug falling out is from outside influence.

Has anyone else had this problem - and if so, did Kia fix it?

- Michael R., Newburgh, NY, US