2003 Kia Spectra LS from North America - Comments

The Spectra has been a great car. The

issue I am having is Kia's warranty.

I have had the oil changed every 3,000

miles since I bought it brand new in May 2003. The other day while driving on the freeway the engine blew! The car was towed and upon reaching the Kia dealer it was determined that the oil plug was missing and the car had released all the oil, causing the engine to cease. The current mileage

approx:25,000

Kia says it was the Lube & Oil change service I last received. They said the

oil plug was improperly replaced, and the Lube & Oil Co. are responsible for the damage. However, I was on my to have the oil changed, since 2995 miles had now elapsed. In route on the freeway I heard a bang underneath the car, it startled me and looked around to see if something had hit the under part of my car. Seeing nothing, I continued and didn't give it much more thought. Approximatively 9-12 miles down the freeway the oil light faded on and off, and the engine began to smoke and make noise as though the car was losing parts all over the freeway. When I reached the right shoulder of the freeway the puddle of oil was so large the Tow truck driver said he couldn't tow me off the freeway because he would be towing me into a residential area, and with all that oil leaking the residence might complain.

(Metro Highway Emergency Assistance) So I needed to call a private roadside assistance service. As I did. If the oil plug was replaced incorrectly, then shouldn't I have been completely dry of oil? Or at least seen some evidence of an oil leak, why did the oil light not turn on before this? Surely within the 3,000 miles the car must have ran low on oil if the plug was leaking. 3,000 miles lapsed since my last change with absolutely no evidence of any oil leaking. I checked the driveway

and street where I park my car, no oil spots, not even a drop. What caused the oil plug to release suddenly, I haven't a clue. However, Kia seems would rather put the blame elsewhere rather than investigate this incident and honor the warranty.

Spectra LS, Kia rather blame than honor

warranty.

I had a similar problem with a different model of vehicle. If it was determined that the oil change facility didn't replace the plug correctly, you should contact an attorney. Maybe you could get the repairs reimbursed. Also, you might not have seen a leak because when you are not running the engine there is significantly less oil pressure. The oil may have leaked out while you were driving.