NHTSA Complaint #10182729 — 2002 KIA SEDONA

THIS IS THE 2ND ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY TO BE REPLACED. FIRST ONE WAS AT 40K MILES, AND WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TRIED TO GET ME TO PAY FOR THE NEW BATTERY, BUT I INSISTED THAT SINCE THEIR FAULTY PART CAUSED THE BATTERY TO DIE, THEY SHOULD REPLACE AT NO COST. I BOUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER THINKING THE ALTERNATOR WOULD STILL BE COVERED, IT IS NOT. I REFUSED FOR THEM TO REPLACE, SINCE THERE IS AN OBVIOUS PROBLEM WITH THEIR ALTERNATORS. THE SERVICE REP. AGREED THAT THE 2ND ALTERNATOR SHOULD HAVE LASTED FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. I BOUGHT THE CAR TO ANOTHER MECHANIC WHO HAS NOW INFORMED THAT THE WIRE TO THE ALTERNATOR WAS FRIED/ROTTED/BURNT/ OFF. THIS IS DUE TO THE WAY THE VAN IS DESIGNED. IT IS APPARENTLY TOO CLOSE TO THE EXHAUST AND HAS CAUSED THE WIRE TO BURN OFF. THIS IS NOW A MAJOR JOB, AND HIS EXPERIENCE TELLS HIM THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. ALSO, HE HAS ADVISED THAT HE HAS SEEN A LOT OF PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES ON THESE VANS. I THOUGHT IT WAS JUST OURS THAT NEEDED 3 SETS OF NEW BRAKES FOR LESS THAN 75K MILE ON THE CAR. THE AVERAGE LIFE OF BRAKES ON THIS VEHICLE IS LESS THAN 25K. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ALTERNATOR WIRING IS DEFECTIVE AND WILL UNDOUBTEDLY CAN BE A CAUSE FOR A FIRE. *NM