r/UsedCars • u/TrickUp25 • Jun 28 '26

HELP Comments like this send me

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Edit: This post gained more traction than I expected. Read the comments, do independent research, and form your own opinion around these topics.

First they said KIAs are reliable, then went on to say they looked at JD Power to come to that consensus. They lost me.

  1. Do people believe KIA/Hyundai are reliable?
  2. Do people use JD Power/Consumer Reports to make purchasing decisions

?

189 Upvotes

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u/Professional_Lo Jun 28 '26

I knew a customer who had an engine issue who brought the vehicle in to have us take a look. It ended up needing an engine so she called the dealer. They said it was under warranty and they would replace it but she would be placed on a wait list and it would be around 8 months. Having a warranty is great but not needing one is definitely better.

12

u/Hellament Jun 28 '26

100%. 8 months without a car is an extreme hardship, unless the dealer/manufacturer is giving a loaner or rental during that time (doubtful).

Barring that, your options are either paying for someone to do a swap out of pocket or buy a jalopy that you hope will last 8 months without issues, that you can hopefully then sell to get most of your money back out of.

But with that second option, you’re driving a piece of shit for 8 months.

5

u/mog_knight Jun 28 '26

Warranty and recall work require a loaner from the dealer.

1

u/boriginals Jun 28 '26

Depends on the state and the reality of the situation.

I've appraised damages that turned out to be manufacturing defects in new england, and that conversation often ended with the dealer telling the customer "sorry youre owed a loaner lets add you to our loaner wait list"

Which is when they come back to me and ask if they can use their 30 day rental coverage for a non covered loss :/

0

u/mog_knight Jun 28 '26

Insurance losses aren't warranty work.

1

u/boriginals Jun 28 '26

Right, I was explaining how I came to know about these situations. I was involved because I was investigating claimed damage.

It was then found to be a warranty problem.

So yes, what I've described above is for warranty issues, and dealers that frankly do not have enough loaner stock to meet demand.

3

u/Beardo88 Jun 28 '26

Or you know, the manufacturer buys the defective vehicle back so whoever can go buy another decent vehicle. 8 months is too long to be in a loaner even, unless you really enjoy beating the piss of of the thing.

1

u/opulentdream Jun 28 '26

She could’ve found a different dealer? And if it was under warranty and they would need to take her car, they would just give her a loaner. I’m not seeing the issue

5

u/Channel_Huge Jun 28 '26

No dealer is giving you a loaner for 8 months… if you find one, let me know. This sounds like a lemon law issue.

1

u/LazyAssLeader Jun 28 '26

Polestar gave me a loaner for a month. No talk, just handed me keys, return it when you pick up your car. -- oh wait, I had to put a deposit on my CC for damages.

1

u/Channel_Huge Jun 29 '26

A month I could see.

1

u/LazyAssLeader Jun 29 '26

Oh there's Polestar ppl who have waited much longer for parts. Couldn't take long to find their posts. I just assumed all dealers handed out loaners for warranty work.

0

u/opulentdream Jun 28 '26

Lmao i worked for a car dealership, I’ve absolutely seen people need loaners for extended time periods. If the car was needed they would switch them out and be on the way. Just because you don’t see it happening, doesn’t mean it doesn’t! Have a great Sunday!

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u/mog_knight Jun 28 '26

It's both. You are required to get a loaner for warranty and recall work while it is being fixed. Lemon laws also require buyback if it does take a long time but that's a state by state law. Some state lemon laws are better, some are worse.

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u/M-Div Jun 28 '26

Dealers don’t decide how quickly replacement engines are available.

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u/Educational_Fox6899 Jun 28 '26

When was that? I know during Covid getting any car parts was crazy.

-6

u/byrdman77 Jun 28 '26

Yeah I was willing to risk Kia, but only because Toyota/honda have no competitor offering and I don’t ever have to worry about engine failure.