Why do people hate Kia's so much?

Question

I too thought they were junk because of some marketing image. Honestly, just the brand logo looks cheesy. But there is no proof that they are truely bad cars. They are low-end, I'll give you that, but bought new with their warrenty is actually a good value. And I've never heard anyone say their Kia breaks down all the time whereas there are tons of other cars that give people constant problems. Is the Kia bad image just that..An Image, or is there something that I didn't know about Kia's that they truely are pieces of schit...? Please let me know.

Answer 1

I agree that it is unfounded, but I do know the older ones had some problems. Around 2001 or 2002, Kia was bought out by Hyundai. After that, they seemed to be making MUCH better cars. I would not buy a 2000 or older Kia, but that is just my personal opinion.

I think this is because people think their cars should live forever without proper maintenance. Kia recommends changing the timing belt every 60000 miles, but the majority of these broken Kias that I see for sale were either in an accident, or the timing belt broke at something like 90000 miles. Once the timing belt breaks, you are looking at serious and expensive repairs. The recommendations are there for a reason.

Answer 2

Fairly new brand on the world market and cheap to buy. Therefore poor image automatically gets assigned.

For many people if it is cheap it can't be that great (so they think).

KIA has had a couple of models (early production) that have had lots of problems, but they seem to work on improving as they go. I know people with KIAs and little to no problems at all.

Worst complaint is the fuel economy with the smaller models and running the airconditioning and the van is not that great on fuel either. Otherwise most like their buggys.

Answer 3

KIA= Killed In Auto
or
KIA= Koren Intelligence Agency
or
KIA= Kick It Again

Answer 4

My late sister drove her 1994 Kia sephia 250.000 miles. But the power train was actually Mazda 323 and German brakes.. There just entry level cars to get your foot in the door of auto financing. Pay one on time and the banks and financing people will finance you into the car of your dreams. KIA was bought out by Hundai and there product line expanded. The fuel efficency of there small engines seem a lousy compaired to Honda Toyota and the new MR 1.8 and 2.0 liter Nissan engines. I expect that will change.

Answer 5

Because of the people who bought them. They spent $9000 on a brand new car, don't take care of it at all then complain that it is junk. Then the others who bought them because they are good cars and do take care of them just don't make as much noise about them being good. When was the last time you complained to somebody that you car did NOT break down?

Answer 6

kia's undeserved image is brought on by people who don't change there oil until 60,000 miles and can't understand why the engine computer with a 9mm bullet in it is not covered under warranty. the people who take care of their cars have had a good experiance and racked up high mileage numbers

Answer 7

Ummm Kia's are not pieces of crap...I have had my 2005 Kia Optima for 8 years and it has 160,000 miles on it and there is nothing wrong with it at all

Answer 8

low quality, everything breaks after 140K and they dont last more than 5 years. you will never see a 1994 kia because the quality was really low and the engine broke

Answer 9

Most of their models have low safety ratings at least.. And there's a lot of well-known and reliable brands on the market, causes Kia to lose attraction...

Answer 10

Read Consumer Reports