NHTSA Complaint #10044489 — 2002 KIA SPORTAGE

PROBLEMS WITH BRAKES STICKING, WINDOWS LOCKED UP, CALIPERS CRACKED.*MR TWO MONTHS AFTER PURCHASE, MECHANIC WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRAKES FELT LIKE THEY WERE STICKING OR PULLING WHEN AT A STOP OR LIGHT. THE CD PLAYER WAS INOPERABLE. CONSUMER WAS TOLD A NEW AGENT THAT WAS BEING USED ON HER VEHICLE MADE THE NOISE AND IT WOULD GO AWAY IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS. JUNE 3, 2003, WINDOWS LOCKED UP, COULDN'T ROLL UP, MOTOR BURNED OUT. JUNE 7,2003, VEHICLE SUDDENLY JERKED. THERE WAS A NOISE FOLLOWED BY SPARKS ND CLANKING METAL SOUNDS. CONSUMER REALIZED SHE HAD NO BRAKES AND HAD TO PULL THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO STOP. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. THE CALIPER HAD CRACKED AND BROKEN CAUSING THE PADS TO SHATTER ALONG WITH THE ROTORS TO FALL OUT OF THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. THEY CLAIMED THIS FAILURE WAS DUE TO HER NEGLIGENCE. CONSUMER QUESTIONED THAT IF ON A REPAIR BILL IT STATED "30% BRAKES REMAINING," WHY WOULD THEY NOT REPLACE THEM. CONSUMER WAS BILLED $175. FOR THE RENTAL CAR, $700. FOR SERVICE AND TOW, $875. TOTAL. CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IF THE MATTER WAS TAKEN TO COURT THE DISCOUNT OF 30% WOULD BE DROPPED AND THE TOTAL TO BE PAID WOULD BE $1200. CONSUMER ASKED FOR COMPENSATION FOR TIME AND TROUBLE, LOAN CAUGHT UP, VEHICLE REPAIRED AT NO COST TO HER AND RENTAL CHARGES DROPPED. *PH