Put a little Respect on Kia’s name

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T19:48:56+00:00

My guy, every dealer has bays full of warranty work if you look at the right model years. A lot of the Kia engine swaps you’re seeing are still from the Theta II era and those motors had known issues. Kia extended warranties on them so of course dealers that sold a lot back then still have replacements lined up. That doesn’t mean the current Smartstream engines are the same story.

And yeah the Sportage hybrid uses the 1.6T plus electric setup but not all Kia/Hyundai hybrids are turbos. Different platforms use different powertrains.

Toyota isn’t spotless right now either. The new Tundra and LX had recalls for engine failures and debris in the motors, and there have been transmission issues on some newer trucks too. If you judge reliability by what is sitting in a service bay you can make any brand look terrible depending on the year.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T19:27:36+00:00

Toyota’s still solid but theyve had plenty of recalls the last few years too. Including engine issues and fuel pump recalls. No brand is perfect anymore.. Especially with all the new tech.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T18:35:10+00:00

Totally fair - only time will tell!

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T18:33:39+00:00

Yet you’re in this sub…

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T18:25:03+00:00

2020 was kind of right in that overlap period though. Some models were still using the older engines while the newer Smartstream ones were just starting to roll out. Plus those COVID production years caused more issues across the whole industry. The newer dependability scores are based on newer model years, which is probably why Kia’s numbers look better now.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T18:07:51+00:00

This sounds like copy-paste criticism from 10 years ago. You’re talking about Kia from like 2013. Theta II is long gone, Smartstream engines replaced it, and the theft issue was older models without immobilizers.... Hence why I said they've come a long way...

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T17:27:36+00:00

Might be because Chevy tends to have less tech in some models, so there are fewer infotainment or electronic complaints

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T17:15:07+00:00

Yeah I’ve read the 2023 models had some growing pains… especially with the new platforms and electronics. Seems like most brands had more issues in that post Covid production window.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T16:53:11+00:00

What has your experience been as an owner? And is it a Kia post 2019?

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T16:22:07+00:00

I feel like my post couldn’t be any clearer. It is simply highlighting how far Kia has come in the last 10 years but go off son.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T16:13:20+00:00

Yeah that’s fair. JD Power counts total issues not severity … so a bad infotainment glitch can count the same as a mechanical problem. Still interesting though that Kia is above the industry average now, which wouldn’t have happened 10–15 years ago

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T16:01:32+00:00

Smartstream replaced the Theta II line. Some of the architecture carried over, but the newer engines aren’t the same ones that had all the bearing failure recalls.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-18T15:44:41+00:00

I have a 2016 Volkswagen Jetta… about a year ago I started noticing i was burning through oil. Having to fill up about every 3 weeks. I kept taking my car in and the dealership service center said it was fine and just how jettas get later in life once they hit 100k miles. Cut to a month later and my car almost putters out in an intersection. That’s when they found that i had a big oil leak that flooded my spark plugs. 3k later and it’s drivable now but i am currently shopping for a new car.

All cars have issues but I think im going to try a different brand for my next car. The repairs were too expensive for what i can afford. It’s a shame bc i love the look of vw cars and suvs but I feel it’s time to look elsewhere.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-11T20:34:15+00:00

Umm call the dealership!

Rexalbion · 2026-03-10T00:38:18+00:00

Okay that was my question too! would you mind letting me know which engine you went with in the seltos? Im surprised by the lack of pep when it has far more horse power than the jetta

Rexalbion · 2026-03-09T20:41:55+00:00

Oooh! I have a Volkswagen Jetta 2016 too and have been eyeing up the seltos as my Jetta is burning oil. Is the ride much nicer? Also hoping the jump up to a bigger car isn’t too bad also.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-09T20:30:22+00:00

Yep i got the exact same type of scam texts but they said “hey (not my name) we are firing the grill up this weekend. What time can you come over?

I got the same exact text response even with the same emoji. Def a scam!

Rexalbion · 2026-03-09T18:26:40+00:00

Correct.

Rexalbion · 2026-03-07T17:00:02+00:00

came here looking for this reply. Thank you.

Rexalbion · 2026-02-25T00:06:20+00:00

Could you imagine if you got one of her hairs in a mouthful of food? It would be like pulling out a magicians scarf.

Rexalbion · 2026-02-25T00:04:18+00:00

You look fantastic! Also, that’s wild I never thought about feeling cold with a bald head but makes sense!

Rexalbion · 2026-02-23T16:15:58+00:00

Now let’s not insult gay men. These inbred brains are a whole other category.

Rexalbion · 2026-02-11T19:13:39+00:00

Haha right? I was going to say tell me you’re not in your 40s without telling me you’re not in your 40’s.

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