My 2016 Kia Sorento Was In The Store for Weeks Getting a New Engine, However Now the A/C Failed and the Vendor Is Telling Me Nothing Is Improper

There’s a sure sort of hysteria that comes while you get a automobile again from restore and marvel if it’s truly been mounted, or if one thing new is about to go fallacious. That worst case situation turned true for an proprietor that I got here throughout within the “Hyundai Homeowners Issues and Service Points” Fb group by Anthony Sparno Jr. He had simply picked up his 2016 Kia Sorento after ready weeks for an engine substitute, solely to find the air conditioner was not working. Whereas the dealership now insists the A/C is “freezing,” Anthony says it was nonetheless blowing heat air the night time earlier than, leaving him not sure who to belief or what to anticipate. Right here’s how Anthony described the state of affairs in his personal phrases:

“Howdy, so I simply had my engine changed at Kia. I’ve a 2016 Sorento. I went to select it up after 4 weeks and the air conditioner wasn’t working. Has anybody skilled this? Ought to I be involved? I’ll choose it up tonight since now they’re saying that they let it run a couple of minutes and it is “freezing”. I received in it final night time, let it run for 5 minutes, and solely heat air was blowing out, in order that’s why I am skeptical.”

If you happen to’ve ever waited anxiously on your car to be returned after a significant restore, solely to be greeted by a brand-new concern, you’re not alone. For a lot of Kia Sorento homeowners, engine substitute isn’t an unusual expertise. That is true significantly for fashions just like the 2016 which have seen their share of engine complaints. However when one thing just like the A/C goes out proper after a significant job, it raises eyebrows. Was it only a coincidence, or did one thing go fallacious in the course of the course of?

Different Homeowners Converse Up

Anthony isn’t the one one elevating an eyebrow. Cj Hughes shared an almost similar expertise. He commented:

“I had the identical concern. They tried to inform me ‘I’ wanted to pay to recharge the system. It was wonderful earlier than. I refused and known as company, in order that they ended up doing it totally free. They mentioned they only let the system cling there whereas they change the engine. Nicely from what I researched something may have occurred whereas hanging. It may have leaked or some O rings could not have been changed. Anyway, they charged it.”

Cj’s story echoes a typical theme of dealerships distancing themselves from points that will have stemmed straight from their very own service practices. If refrigerant traces or parts had been left hanging or not correctly sealed throughout engine elimination and reinstallation, it is fully believable {that a} leak or disconnection may’ve developed. And when refrigerant escapes the system, the A/C gained’t cool correctly or in any respect.

Simon Younger added one other important perspective:

“Eradicating all engine parts is a part of an engine substitute and so they screwed up. They’ve low high quality technicians for a excessive value. Make sure that a leak take a look at is completed.”

Simon’s remark highlights a broader concern about technician expertise and thoroughness, which is one thing many homeowners concern when entrusting their automobiles to dealership service departments. His suggestion to demand a correct leak take a look at isn’t simply affordable, it’s important. With out it, homeowners danger getting caught in a loop of imprecise explanations and inadequate fixes.

The Greater Image Behind A/C Failures After Repairs

This story isn’t remoted. Many house owners have come ahead with numerous points post-engine substitute, not simply associated to A/C, but in addition sensors, electrical glitches, and even transmission habits. It is price noting that main engine jobs require vital disassembly, and if any element is even barely out of alignment or not torqued to spec, issues can floor rapidly.

This ties in with bigger considerations about post-repair reliability and belief in service departments, particularly after expensive and warranty-covered repairs. And it’s one thing we’ve seen earlier than, resembling in circumstances the place Kia Sorento homeowners reported extreme oil consumption, elevating considerations that Kia may deny engine replacements if upkeep information weren’t excellent.

For these driving newer fashions, these issues could seem distant, however they’re nonetheless very actual. Even with the 2024 Kia Sorento SX Status getting excessive marks for tech and luxury, long-term reliability relies upon closely on how repairs and upkeep are dealt with.

There’s additionally a lesson to be taken from Kia Sorento plug-in hybrid homeowners, like those that’ve shared how they’ll recover from 1,000 miles on a tank, whereas nonetheless needing to make sure dealership service does not compromise their complicated programs. No matter powertrain, consideration to element throughout service is all the things.

Expectations vs Actuality in Submit-Restore Service

In Anthony’s case, there’s one easy expectation: get the car again in the identical, or higher, situation that it was in, and never with new issues connected. His skepticism could be very rational. Belief is fragile, and as soon as it’s misplaced in a service expertise, it’s troublesome to regain.

I believe this sort of state of affairs speaks volumes about what it is like being a contemporary automobile proprietor. particularly when coping with main dealership repairs. Reporting tales like I do, it repeatedly surprises me by how usually a automobile will get “mounted,” just for the proprietor to stroll away with a brand new concern. Whether or not it is a Kia or some other model, the frequent sample is usually the identical these days. It contains lengthy wait occasions, incomplete communication, and questionable high quality checks. And let’s be sincere, when the A/C does not work after an engine job, one thing was in all probability missed. It’s not paranoia as a result of it’s sample recognition. The frustration homeowners really feel is not nearly the issue itself because it’s about not feeling heard after they attempt to level it out.

Key Takeaways and Classes

• Submit-repair inspections matter. All the time completely take a look at all programs, particularly HVAC, when choosing up your automobile from a significant service. Don’t wait till you get residence.
• Push for documentation. If you happen to suspect one thing went fallacious in the course of the restore, ask the vendor for a written clarification and what diagnostics had been performed.
• Don’t be afraid to escalate. If the dealership refuses to repair one thing you imagine they induced, attain out to the producer’s company help or file a case.
• Speak to the group. Different homeowners, like these in Fb teams, usually have invaluable recommendation and experiences that may aid you navigate unsure restore outcomes.
• Belief your instincts. If one thing feels off, even when the dealership says it’s “wonderful,” don’t ignore it. Your real-world observations may matter greater than their five-minute checks.

Your Time To Share

Have you ever ever had a significant restore performed solely to note one thing else cease working? Did the dealership take it critically or brush it off?

Let me know within the feedback beneath. I’d love to listen to your story.

Aram Krajekian is a younger automotive journalist bringing a contemporary perspective to his protection of the evolving automotive panorama. Observe Aram on X and LinkedIn for every day information protection about automobiles.

Picture Sources: Grok