My 2016 Kia Sorento Was In The Store for Weeks Getting a New Engine, However Now the A/C Failed and the Supplier Is Telling Me Nothing Is Flawed

There’s a sure kind of hysteria that comes while you get a automotive again from restore and surprise if it’s really been fastened, or if one thing new is about to go incorrect. That worst case situation grew to become true for an proprietor that I got here throughout within the “Hyundai Homeowners Issues and Service Points” Fb group by Anthony Sparno Jr. He had simply picked up his 2016 Kia Sorento after ready weeks for an engine substitute, solely to find the air conditioner was not working. Whereas the dealership now insists the A/C is “freezing,” Anthony says it was nonetheless blowing heat air the night time earlier than, leaving him not sure who to belief or what to anticipate. Right here’s how Anthony described the state of affairs in his personal phrases:

“Whats up, so I simply had my engine changed at Kia. I’ve a 2016 Sorento. I went to choose it up after 4 weeks and the air conditioner wasn’t working. Has anybody skilled this? Ought to I be involved? I will decide it up tonight since now they’re saying that they let it run a couple of minutes and it is “freezing”. I bought in it final night time, let it run for 5 minutes, and solely heat air was blowing out, in order that’s why I am skeptical.”

In the event you’ve ever waited anxiously to your car to be returned after a significant restore, solely to be greeted by a brand-new problem, you’re not alone. For a lot of Kia Sorento house owners, engine substitute isn’t an unusual expertise. That is true significantly for fashions just like the 2016 which have seen their share of engine complaints. However when one thing just like the A/C goes out proper after a significant job, it raises eyebrows. Was it only a coincidence, or did one thing go incorrect throughout the course of?

Different Homeowners Converse Up

Anthony isn’t the one one elevating an eyebrow. Cj Hughes shared a virtually similar expertise. He commented:

“I had the identical problem. They tried to inform me ‘I’ wanted to pay to recharge the system. It was advantageous earlier than. I refused and known as company, in order that they ended up doing it free of charge. They stated they only let the system dangle there whereas they change the engine. Effectively from what I researched something might have occurred whereas hanging. It might have leaked or some O rings might not have been changed. Anyway, they charged it.”

Cj’s story echoes a standard theme of dealerships distancing themselves from points that will have stemmed straight from their very own service practices. If refrigerant traces or parts have been left hanging or not correctly sealed throughout engine removing and reinstallation, it is completely believable {that a} leak or disconnection might’ve developed. And when refrigerant escapes the system, the A/C received’t cool correctly or in any respect.

Simon Younger added one other important perspective:

“Eradicating all engine parts is a part of an engine substitute and so they screwed up. They’ve low high quality technicians for a excessive value. Ensure a leak check is completed.”

Simon’s remark highlights a broader concern about technician expertise and thoroughness, which is one thing many house owners concern when entrusting their automobiles to dealership service departments. His suggestion to demand a correct leak check isn’t simply cheap, it’s important. With out it, house owners danger getting caught in a loop of obscure explanations and inadequate fixes.

The Larger Image Behind A/C Failures After Repairs

This story isn’t remoted. Many homeowners have come ahead with numerous points post-engine substitute, not simply associated to A/C, but additionally sensors, electrical glitches, and even transmission habits. It is value noting that main engine jobs require important disassembly, and if any part is even barely out of alignment or not torqued to spec, issues can floor shortly.

This ties in with bigger issues about post-repair reliability and belief in service departments, particularly after pricey and warranty-covered repairs. And it’s one thing we’ve seen earlier than, comparable to in circumstances the place Kia Sorento house owners reported extreme oil consumption, elevating issues that Kia might deny engine replacements if upkeep information weren’t good.

For these driving newer fashions, these issues could seem distant, however they’re nonetheless very actual. Even with the 2024 Kia Sorento SX Status getting excessive marks for tech and luxury, long-term reliability relies upon closely on how repairs and upkeep are dealt with.

There’s additionally a lesson to be taken from Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid house owners, like those that’ve shared how they will recover from 1,000 miles on a tank, whereas nonetheless needing to make sure dealership service would not compromise their complicated techniques. No matter powertrain, consideration to element throughout service is the whole lot.

Expectations vs Actuality in Submit-Restore Service

In Anthony’s case, there’s one easy expectation: get the car again in the identical, or higher, situation that it was in, and never with new issues hooked up. His skepticism may be very rational. Belief is fragile, and as soon as it’s misplaced in a service expertise, it’s troublesome to regain.

I believe this type of state of affairs speaks volumes about what it is like being a contemporary automotive proprietor. particularly when coping with main dealership repairs. Reporting tales like I do, it constantly surprises me by how usually a automotive will get “fastened,” just for the proprietor to stroll away with a brand new problem. Whether or not it is a Kia or every other model, the frequent sample is usually the identical these days. It consists of lengthy wait instances, incomplete communication, and questionable high quality checks. And let’s be sincere, when the A/C would not work after an engine job, one thing was most likely missed. It’s not paranoia as a result of it’s sample recognition. The frustration house owners really feel is not nearly the issue itself because it’s about not feeling heard once they attempt to level it out.

Key Takeaways and Classes

• Submit-repair inspections matter. At all times completely check all techniques, particularly HVAC, when selecting up your automotive from a significant service. Don’t wait till you get dwelling.
• Push for documentation. In the event you suspect one thing went incorrect throughout the restore, ask the seller for a written rationalization and what diagnostics have been completed.
• Don’t be afraid to escalate. If the dealership refuses to repair one thing you consider they brought on, attain out to the producer’s company help or file a case.
• Discuss to the neighborhood. Different house owners, like these in Fb teams, usually have invaluable recommendation and experiences that may assist you navigate unsure restore outcomes.
• Belief your instincts. If one thing feels off, even when the dealership says it’s “advantageous,” don’t ignore it. Your real-world observations might matter greater than their five-minute assessments.

Your Time To Share

Have you ever ever had a significant restore completed solely to note one thing else cease working? Did the dealership take it critically or brush it off?

Let me know within the feedback under. I’d love to listen to your story.

Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist bringing a recent perspective to his protection of the evolving automotive panorama. Comply with Aram on X and LinkedIn for day by day information protection about vehicles.

Picture Sources: Grok