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

There’s a sure kind of tension that comes once you get a automotive again from restore and surprise if it’s truly been mounted, or if one thing new is about to go improper. That worst case state of affairs grew to become true for an proprietor that I got here throughout within the “Hyundai House owners 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 now 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 uncertain who to belief or what to anticipate. Right here’s how Anthony described the scenario 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.”

If you happen to’ve ever waited anxiously to your automobile to be returned after a serious restore, solely to be greeted by a brand-new situation, you’re not alone. For a lot of Kia Sorento homeowners, 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 serious job, it raises eyebrows. Was it only a coincidence, or did one thing go improper through the course of?

Different House owners Communicate Up

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

“I had the identical situation. They tried to inform me ‘I’ wanted to pay to recharge the system. It was high quality earlier than. I refused and known as company, so that they ended up doing it totally free. They stated they simply let the system grasp there whereas they exchange the engine. Effectively from what I researched something may have occurred whereas hanging. It may 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 which will have stemmed immediately from their very own service practices. If refrigerant strains or parts have been left hanging or not correctly sealed throughout engine elimination and reinstallation, it is completely believable {that a} leak or disconnection may’ve developed. And when refrigerant escapes the system, the A/C received’t cool correctly or in any respect.

Simon Younger added one other vital 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. Be certain that a leak check is finished.”

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

The Greater Image Behind A/C Failures After Repairs

This story isn’t remoted. Many homeowners have come ahead with varied points post-engine substitute, not simply associated to A/C, but in addition sensors, electrical glitches, and even transmission habits. It is value noting that main engine jobs require vital 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 homeowners reported extreme oil consumption, elevating issues that Kia may deny engine replacements if upkeep information weren’t good.

For these driving newer fashions, these issues could appear 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 homeowners, like those that’ve shared how they’ll recover from 1,000 miles on a tank, whereas nonetheless needing to make sure dealership service does not compromise their complicated methods. No matter powertrain, consideration to element throughout service is all the pieces.

Expectations vs Actuality in Submit-Restore Service

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

I feel this sort of scenario 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 “mounted,” just for the proprietor to stroll away with a brand new situation. Whether or not it is a Kia or every other model, the widespread sample is usually the identical these days. It consists of lengthy wait instances, incomplete communication, and questionable high quality checks. And let’s be trustworthy, when the A/C does not work after an engine job, one thing was in all probability missed. It’s not paranoia as a result of it’s sample recognition. The frustration homeowners 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 methods, particularly HVAC, when choosing up your automotive from a serious service. Don’t wait till you get dwelling.
• Push for documentation. If you happen to suspect one thing went improper through the restore, ask the seller for a written rationalization and what diagnostics have been accomplished.
• 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 assist or file a case.
• Speak to the group. Different homeowners, like these in Fb teams, usually have invaluable recommendation and experiences that may enable you navigate unsure restore outcomes.
• Belief your instincts. If one thing feels off, even when the dealership says it’s “high quality,” don’t ignore it. Your real-world observations may matter greater than their five-minute assessments.

Your Time To Share

Have you ever ever had a serious restore accomplished solely to note one thing else cease working? Did the dealership take it significantly 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 each day information protection about automobiles.

Picture Sources: Grok