I have a younger brother that recently bought a Kia as his first car.
It's been broken into 3 times in less than a of ownership year.
Kia sent him a cheep "Club style" steering wheel lock...
--
From my perspective, getting stuck with this lemon will significantly compromise his quality of life and finances for years to come.
Where are our consumer protections? Kia should be on the hook for fixing the problem or buying back the vehicle at cost.
It's been broken into three times or it's been stolen three times? Because any car is easily broken into. Just smash a window.
South Korea's car theft rate is 5.3 per 100,000 per year. In the US it's 282. Canada is 217. Fewer cars had immobilizers a decade ago but theft rates were lower then. The main reason why car theft is higher is because of car thieves.
Unfortunately, the only consumer protection for this is in the form of brand reputation. Even before this incident, I would've never bought a Kia (or a Hyundai).
Kia sent him a cheep "Club style" steering wheel lock... -- From my perspective, getting stuck with this lemon will significantly compromise his quality of life and finances for years to come.
Where are our consumer protections? Kia should be on the hook for fixing the problem or buying back the vehicle at cost.