Kia of Stamford

A great car, poor service experiences I had to get rid of a car that I love—2013 Kia Optima--because of bad experiences with Kia of Stamford. The sale was simple. I knew the color, model, I had to get rid of a car that I love—2013 Kia Optima--because of bad experiences with Kia of Stamford. The sale was simple. I knew the color, model, and features I wanted, so I walked in a pre-sold. Yonkers Kia had failed to locate the model after three visits and broken promises. A single phone call to Stamford solved that issue. I was delighted with the car, a terrific vehicle that matches or surpasses far more expensive makes. The poor service began immediately. First a few little things: The car did not have a manual, requiring a drive back to the dealer. The USB cord box was empty. A cord was mailed after more calls. Worse, I was hustled into buying wheel insurance, a ripoff. The service was friendly but ineffective. I put in a warranty claim that the seat coolers were malfunctioning – the cooling had severely diminished over time. A computer test found they were performing fine, so that was that. My claim for a wheel damaged by a pothole was pooh-poohed by a service guy--“curb rash” wasn’t covered. Still, he promised to file a claim on my behalf. Never heard back. In early December the car wouldn’t start, so I called Kia Roadside Service. After a long delay, a guy showed up in a car – not a tow truck – and tested the battery. “Kia’s known for its lousy batteries,” he said. The battery needed a replacement, he determined. A tow truck was then called, another long delay, and my car was towed 35 miles to Kia of Stamford. The battery was merely dead, Stamford Kia said, needing a recharge. So tow was the unnecessary? How to get my car back? Kia Roadside Service has nothing to do with us Kia of Stamford, the service dept told me. They are independent 3rd-party contractors. I’d have to pick the car up. A call to Kia corporate in California increased the frustration. They had no control over dealerships or Kia Roadside Service--pass-the-buck-a-rama. To be fair, after a few days of back and forth, Stamford Kia did drive my car back and parked it in the garage. It was a muddy mess, the clock wasn’t reset, and ….. I called Stamford Kia a few more times (service manager, dealership owner) and told them I couldn’t afford the car anymore. I had lost too much time at work dealing with the service issues. I asked them to buy it back from me. They promised to call me back with a price. Never did, even after I left a few more messages, emails. I’ve cut my losses and traded the Optima in on a new car. Kia makes great vehicles. But the service is not to be trusted, at least not in Westchester/Stamford. More

That Check Engine light sure is bright We recently purchased a used 2003 Saab from Kia of Stamford, and were working with Ernesto the sales manager. Financing was taken care of prior to arr We recently purchased a used 2003 Saab from Kia of Stamford, and were working with Ernesto the sales manager. Financing was taken care of prior to arriving at the dealership and it was then just a matter of test driving the car and signing the paperwork. As we had to drive from Manchester, we did not arrive until just after closing. Ernesto was very patient while we made our decision. Up to this point everything was great, but then as I pulled out of the parking lot the check engine light came on and a loud rattle started in the front end. Ernesto had left at the same time so I sent him a text message letting him know. I took the car to a local shop and found the bolts for the front lower ball joint were completely loose, causing untold damage to the car's front end. After less than a week of ownership, the car completely broke down. I changed the spark plugs and discovered oil leaking into the firing chamber, as well as three out of six spark plugs that had no gap. I've called to speak with Ernesto no less than 30 times and left countless messages, have spoken with the service manager (who is infinitely better when it comes to customer service than anyone in sales), and still nothing. I am now sitting here with a several thousand dollar paperweight. Avoid this dealership. Your pocket book will thank you. Update: Since posting this review, the situation has only gotten worse. Ernesto begrudgingly agreed to repair the car, so long as I removed this review. After driving from Manchester to Stamford, leaving the car in their possession for three weeks, and then returning once again to pick it up, only one of the many issues was addressed - they claim to have replaced the faulty SAI pump. That issue came right back up on the drive home, though, when the check engine light came back on (the code was read, once again revealing the SAI pump to be faulty). They refuse to believe that the rusted out exhaust could even possibly be in need of replacement and instead removed a functioning exhaust hanger and, in its place, put some weird apparatus while neglecting to fix the exhaust leak or the exhaust hanger that had rusted off. They also said there is no shaking or vibration issue (which can be experienced by even a short drive at highway speeds), and that there is no oil leak. All of these issues have been verified by another shop. So why is it that Kia of Stamford seems unable to recognize these major mechanical and safety issues? More

1.5 mo to get deposit back on vehicle I did NOT purchase. Had initially contacted this dealership to purchase a used vehicle in their inventory. As a potential out of state buyer I negotiated a price with a Had initially contacted this dealership to purchase a used vehicle in their inventory. As a potential out of state buyer I negotiated a price with a Sales Manager and made a $1,000.00 deposit towards the purchase of the vehicle, with the balance to be paid upon delivery. The deposit was made the second week of July, however the deal ultimately did not work out and the vehicle was never purchased. Fast forward to the end of August, and when reconciling bank balances, I realized the deposit was never returned. I immediately call the dealership and ask to speak to someone in finance, and am connected with a Mr. Jay Wright. I inform him of what had happened and that my deposit was never refunded, and he informed me that he would forward my request to the business office and they would handle my refund (this was on a Thursday). Assuming that everything was fine it wasn't until I saw no refund that I reached back out to him the middle of the following week and was informed that they would more than likely have to cut me a check (I had made the deposit with a temporary card issued by my bank, and that card was no longer valid as my permanent card had been since been sent and received) due to the fact that I no longer had the card that was originally used and they do not do refunds to a different card. He informed me to follow up the following day which I did and it was at that time that I spoke with Ernesto DePiano (whom informed me that he was only a Sales Associate however was in actuality a Sales Manager-this was confirmed by their website in addition to by the receptionist that answers the dealership's main line) whom informed me that he was very "diligent and efficient" and would follow up with me in 30 min. 2+ hours came and went and I reached back out to him and he told me that he had good news and that I could file a claim with my bank for an improper charge and once I provided them documentation of this they would then refund my deposit to any card of my choosing. I informed him that was unacceptable, as when I filed a claim with my bank they would go ahead and provide a refund themselves, and told him that I would be filing a complaint to BBB. He acted as though he didn't care and was quite indignant and dismissive. I immediately went to a local branch of my bank, and told my banker what had transpired. They were appalled and offered to call the dealership on my behalf in front of me. She got Mr. Jay Wright on the phone and informed him that both my temporary and permanent cards shared the same number with the only difference being the expiration date and he cut her off saying ".....we do not care and that is our policy and we are not issuing a refund to his card." After going back and forth he explained that they did not want to return to a different card due to possible fraud (how is there possible fraud when the dealership already has the money and is refusing to refund it). After my banker threatens to escalate things to the authorities, he finally agrees to a refund, and gets on the phone with me and apologizes. These people are a JOKE. My advice to you and anyone considering the purchase of a vehicle from this dealership is to take your business and money elsewhere. More