NHTSA Complaint #11652165 — 2022 KIA FORTE

In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting engine damage. Worried, I towed it to a Kia dealership for a warranty-covered inspection, given my 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain coverage. The dealership proposed a $500 engine flush, claiming it would clear contaminants, and advised me to drive 1,000 miles, even until the engine seized if needed, before returning. This shocked me—driving with metal risked catastrophic failure, potentially costing $3,000-$6,000 for a new engine, and seemed designed to avoid warranty responsibility. At 76,000 miles, I believed the metal indicated a manufacturing defect, not wear, especially since I’d used 5W-30 synthetic oil per Kia’s schedule. The non-Kia shop’s refusal left my maintenance history unclear, but Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act protects me from paying for fixes if it’s a defect. I contacted Kia customer service (1-800-333-4542), but they wouldn’t talk, citing my lawyer’s involvement. My lawyer, however, has been unresponsive to calls and emails for weeks, leaving me stranded. The dealership’s “drive until seizure” advice felt unsafe, prompting me to consider an NHTSA complaint at www.nhtsa.gov with my VIN to report this potential defect. This ordeal has caused significant stress and financial worry. I’ve asked the dealership for a detailed report on the metal’s source, but they’ve been vague. I’m torn between paying $500 and risking my car or pushing Kia harder. With the car still at the dealership, I hope for a warranty fix, not a costly delay tactic.the engine was replaced 10000 miles ago. And took two months.