NHTSA Complaint #10435312 — 2002 KIA SPORTAGE

NOTICED A SMALL HIGH PITCHED WHINE TOWARD THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. MY MECHANIC CHECKED AND SAID THAT IT WAS PROBABLY A PINION BEARING IN THE DIFFERENTIAL GOING BAD AND SHOULD BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR A DETERMINATION AND WAS TOLD THAT THE DIFFERENTIAL NEEDED REPLACED AND WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY SINCE THE FLUID HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED EVERY 20000 MILES ALONG WITH A BILL FOR $126.00. WAS NOT ABOUT TO PAY THEM THE $1000 THEY WANTED TO REPLACE A DIFFERENTIAL THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. STILL DRIVING THE CAR WHICH NOW MAKES A LOUD GRINDING SOUND AND DRAWS ALOT OF ATTENTION WHICH ALLOWS ME TO DISCOURAGE ANY KIA PURCHASES FROM PROSPECTIVE BUYERS. THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE HAS QUIT WORKING ALSO LEAVING ONLY SINGLE WHEEL DRIVE MAKING THE VEHICLE VERY UNSTABLE ON WET ROAD CONDITIONS. *TR