2008 Kia Rondo Body & Structure Problems

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 KIA RONDO. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER'S DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO KIA DULUTH (1701 W MICHIGAN ST #2, DULUTH, MN 55806), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. IN ADDITION, THE REAR PASSENGER DOOR FAILED TO OPEN FROM INSIDE OR OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE UNDERCARRIAGE ON MY KIA, AN AUTO MECHANIC INFORMED ME THAT MY OIL PAN HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND ENGINE OIL WAS SEEPING THROUGH THE METAL. THE COST OF PARTS AND LABOR FOR A REPLACEMENT IS APPROXIMATELY $250. THE SERVICE MANAGER OF THE AUTO REPAIR GARAGE STATED THAT IN HIS EXPERIENCE THIS WAS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM WITH SOME KIA AND HYUNDAI MODELS. IN MY OPINION, THIS IS A MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THAT IS, THE METAL USED TO MANUFACTURE A CRITICAL PART ON THE ENGINE (MINE IS 2.4 LITER/4 CYLINDER) IS DEFECTIVE EITHER IN COMPOSITION OR GAUGE. I'VE OWNED VEHICLES FOR OVER 40 YEARS AND, PRIOR TO THIS, I'VE NEVER HEARD OF AN OIL PAN RUSTING THROUGH. AS BACKGROUND, I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW. I'M RETIRED AND I DO NOT DRIVE REGULARLY (NO COMMUTE). ALTHOUGH I LIVE IN MAINE WHERE ROAD SALT IS USED LIBERALLY ON ROADS, I HAVE AVOIDED DRIVING IN WINTER STORMS WHENEVER POSSIBLE. *TR

BOTH REAR DOOR HANDLES PART BROKE AND HAD NO WAY OF GETTING IN OR OUT. IT'S THE PART INSIDE THE DOOR. *TR

KIA; THERE IS A STRONG CONCERN ABOUT THE DOOR LATCH RELEASE INSIDE THE DOORS THAT IS MADE OF PLASTIC AND I THINK COULD BE CHANGED TO A PULL SYSTEM TO OPEN THE DOORS, I HAVE 2 OF THEM THAT HAVE NOT WORKED SINCE LAST JULY 2012 AND I HAD ONE THAT THE CHILD LOCK WAS ON AND YOU COULD NOT OPEN THE DOOR FROM EITHER SIDE AND IF THE PERSON HAD TO GET OUT BECAUSE OF A FIRE OR FLOODING YOU COULD NOT GET OUT. I NOW HAVE TO ROLL DOWN THE WINDOW TO OPEN THE DOOR OR REACH THROUGH THE FRONT DOORS TO OPEN THEM. I THINK THE HEAT IS THE PROBLEM WHEN THE SUN BAKES THE CAR DOOR AND IF SOME ONE TRIES TO OPEN THE LOCKED DOOR IT TWISTS THE RELEASE INSIDE THE DOOR AND THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, THIS HAS HAPPENED TO BOTH OF THE REAR PASSENGER DOORS. THEY ARE STILL NOT FIXED BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE A BOOK ON THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THEY DON'T SELL THEM AND CAN'T AFFORD TO TAKE IT IN. *TR

THE CAR VIBRATES AND MAKES LOUD NOISE WHEN ROLLING DOWN ANY OF THE REAR WINDOWS. *TR ,