Faulty battery for KIA SELTOS

Dear HelloPeter Team,

I am writing to formally lodge a complaint against KIA Silverlakes for selling me a vehicle with a faulty or old battery and failing to provide proper customer service despite my numerous attempts to resolve the issue.

In November 2022, I purchased a KIA Seltos from KIA Silverlakes. Within just six months, I started experiencing battery problems. Given that the vehicle was nearly new, this was highly unusual. I reported the issue multiple times to KIA Customer Care and KIA Silverlakes, but my complaints were ignored.

In 2023/2024, after relentless follow-ups, the dealership manager finally attempted to address the problem. However, instead of providing a new battery, they merely replaced mine with a second-hand one taken from the salesman’s own Kia Seltos. This was an unacceptable solution, and unsurprisingly, the problem persisted.

I have since had to call KIA Roadside Assistance countless times to jump-start my car. The situation escalated last week when I was stranded at Intercare with my autistic child in the rain, adding immense stress to an already frustrating ordeal. Yesterday, the same battery issue happened again.

Upon closer inspection, I discovered that my 2022 model Kia Seltos is now running on a 2019 battery—a clear indication that I was sold a vehicle with an old or faulty battery from the start. I firmly believe that KIA Silverlakes took advantage of me because I am a woman who is not well-versed in car mechanics.

KIA Silverlakes has demonstrated a complete lack of accountability and customer care, leaving me with a faulty vehicle and constant inconvenience. This experience has made it evident that purchasing a car from KIA is a serious mistake, as they do not prioritize their customers’ concerns or provide fair resolutions.

I demand that KIA immediately replace my battery with a brand-new, genuine KIA battery, as should have been the case from the beginning. If this issue is not resolved, I will have no choice but to escalate my complaint further.

I urge all potential buyers to avoid KIA Silverlakes if they want to spare themselves similar frustrations and poor service.

Regards, Nokuthula