NHTSA Complaint #11614561 — 2017 KIA SORENTO

Vehicle over heated on vacation trip. Had mechanic check out vehicle to get it moving again. They removed the thermostat in hopes of a stuck thermostat. Once we arrived at our vacation house I set up appointment with KIA dealership to have them make repairs. I informed them that the thermostat was removed. They came back with it having a blown head gasket and it needed engine replaced. It took them 3 weeks to replace engine by that time we had to rent a vehicle and go back home. I had to pay over 1000 out of pocket for the temp repair, rental, and to have the vehicle shipped back to my home. Finally got the vehicle back and the check engine light was on and it was running rough. It would not reach operating temp. I knew that they must have not put a thermostat on with the new engine. Took it to my local dealership with the issue. They charged me 295 to tell me that it was a issue with the thermostat. They wanted 360 to put a thermostat in it. I declined. I put the new thermostat in and that took care of the check engine light and coolant temp problem but it is still leaking coolant and runs rough. I spoke with KIA and they are unwilling to help. They said the replaced the engine but the thermostat is not covered. That is like saying we replaced the engine but the coolant that leaked out is not covered so we won't replace that.