The build quality spoils all the positive experiences.

[Kwim]

I really like the car, but the build quality is very low and does not correspond to premiums, even in the middle price segment.
Apart from the fact that the led strip of light did not work in the driver's door - I made it myself, they forgot to connect the wire at the factory.

I just do not understand and shocked how the car passed the quality control and was sent to the client, and why the defects listed below were not fixed before the car was shipped.

For a week of operation and a mileage of 974 km, I've found the following:

1 - The ventilation plastic cover on the dashboard has a raw edge, similar to a defect in the casting of a part. Photo 1.

2 - The leather armrest on the driver's door has a material crack at the corner. Photo 2.

3 - The rear plastic strut pads have scratches and dents. Looks like they were removed after installation from an iron tool. Photos 3 - 6.

4 - Headliner: - In the area of the first sunroof, there is a large spot of glue that has come through the fabric material. Photo 7.
- On the right side, the rear window has a crease of material and a shaggy edge. Photo 8.

5 - rear left door: - bad painted under the sealing rubber. Photo 9.
- the edge of the door at the sealant is bad painted, air bubbles and a slight swelling of paint. Photo 10.

6 - Rear left fender: - Large foreign blotch on the edge, similar to paint drips or paint sealant. Photo 11.
- the inner side is bad painted, paint cracks. Photo 12.

 

[Kwim]

+ 2 photos more (limit 10 pro post)

 

[jw_tx21]

Looks like they banged it up getting it to Canada. I'm surprised you bought it with such a careful eye. Maybe they will address for you? I sure like my Prestige trim. No build issues.

 

[Kwim]

Looks like they banged it up getting it to Canada. I'm surprised you bought it with such a careful eye. Maybe they will address for you? I sure like my Prestige trim. No build issues.

I had a lot of cars, the last 6 were Koreans, this is the first time I meet such a car.
I opened a case in Kia Canada, let's see what they will do

______________________________

 

[Tellthemride]

Several of those defects are mm in size. While still defects nonetheless, I highly doubt any mainstream auto brand inspects details that tiny. I would even be surprised if luxury auto manufacturers looked for defects that small with their QC staff.

Also for the majority of the time you spend in your car, how often are you looking at those spots? I probably have defects in my SXP too, but I spend 100% of my time looking at the dash, center console, infotainment, and my wife and kid in the rearview. No time/interest to look for tiny nicks in the plastic/fabric. And at this point, impossible to tell if i caused them or the manufacturer did.

 

[PassingTime]

I really like the car, but the build quality is very low and does not correspond to premiums, even in the middle price segment.
Apart from the fact that the led strip of light did not work in the driver's door - I made it myself, they forgot to connect the wire at the factory.

I just do not understand and shocked how the car passed the quality control and was sent to the client, and why the defects listed below were not fixed before the car was shipped.

For a week of operation and a mileage of 974 km, I've found the following:

1 - The ventilation plastic cover on the dashboard has a raw edge, similar to a defect in the casting of a part. Photo 1.

2 - The leather armrest on the driver's door has a material crack at the corner. Photo 2.

3 - The rear plastic strut pads have scratches and dents. Looks like they were removed after installation from an iron tool. Photos 3 - 6.

4 - Headliner: - In the area of the first sunroof, there is a large spot of glue that has come through the fabric material. Photo 7.
- On the right side, the rear window has a crease of material and a shaggy edge. Photo 8.

5 - rear left door: - bad painted under the sealing rubber. Photo 9.
- the edge of the door at the sealant is bad painted, air bubbles and a slight swelling of paint. Photo 10.

6 - Rear left fender: - Large foreign blotch on the edge, similar to paint drips or paint sealant. Photo 11.
- the inner side is bad painted, paint cracks. Photo 12.

You are right no reason to have this quality junk in a new car. Looks like they are rushing, screwing it up and trying to hastily fix it. Too bad, sorry for you!

 

[MarcinTexas]

I really like the car, but the build quality is very low and does not correspond to premiums, even in the middle price segment.
Apart from the fact that the led strip of light did not work in the driver's door - I made it myself, they forgot to connect the wire at the factory.

I just do not understand and shocked how the car passed the quality control and was sent to the client, and why the defects listed below were not fixed before the car was shipped.

For a week of operation and a mileage of 974 km, I've found the following:

1 - The ventilation plastic cover on the dashboard has a raw edge, similar to a defect in the casting of a part. Photo 1.

2 - The leather armrest on the driver's door has a material crack at the corner. Photo 2.

3 - The rear plastic strut pads have scratches and dents. Looks like they were removed after installation from an iron tool. Photos 3 - 6.

4 - Headliner: - In the area of the first sunroof, there is a large spot of glue that has come through the fabric material. Photo 7.
- On the right side, the rear window has a crease of material and a shaggy edge. Photo 8.

5 - rear left door: - bad painted under the sealing rubber. Photo 9.
- the edge of the door at the sealant is bad painted, air bubbles and a slight swelling of paint. Photo 10.

6 - Rear left fender: - Large foreign blotch on the edge, similar to paint drips or paint sealant. Photo 11.
- the inner side is bad painted, paint cracks. Photo 12.

The first thought I had when I looked at those pictures was "wow - I didn't realize they use real stitching on the dash!" Not sure how I missed that in all the Tellurides I have sat in.

 

[Kwim]

@Tellthemride ,
I will ask you 2 questions, I know you are not stupid and I am sure that you will understand why this is:
1 - As you already know, I am an aircraft engine engineer. If I, like the guys who built my car, will do my job, will you and your loved ones want to fly on such an airplane?
2 - Your neighbor will come up and scratch your new car with a nail, your actions?

Several of those defects are mm in size. While still defects nonetheless, I highly doubt any mainstream auto brand inspects details that tiny. I would even be surprised if luxury auto manufacturers looked for defects that small with their QC staff.

Checks. Even Korean brands.
Kia in Asia is generally checked under a magnifying glass, my friend works for Kia Asia as an engineer, so I know what I'm writing. I had 2 dozen new cars, the last 6 are Koreans, 2 of which were also assembled in the USA and I have not seen this yet. Cars that are produced in Korea are several steps higher than that of local production.
A former classmate of mine, works in Germany for a BMW, where, whenever there are inclusions in the paint, the car is repeatedly dipped into a bath of paint.
Yes, I agree that some defects are small, but they are there and these are defects. I spend a lot of money on updating cars, including the reason - I do not want to see shabby, scratched, dented plastic, leather, etc.
Therefore, if I buy a new thing and pay like a new one, I want it to be new, otherwise I can go and buy a used one and save money.

Well, the main idea is that we are different. People with a mentality from North America take cars very simply.
I constantly see how cars are handed over for repair, service - without acts of transfer and description of defects. And then on the forums, but you don't have to go far and on our forum there are complaints that the dealer has scratched, torn, crumpled, ruined, etc.
And what should they not scratch / tear / wrinkle / ruin if they know that clients will not be asked too much.
I am from Russia, before Canada I lived in Asia, in the Emirates and everywhere they treat other people's cars carefully, because they respect someone else's property, someone else's labor and earned money.
I am not saying that this is good or bad - it is different.
If a person like you paid 50K for a new car and he does not care that it will not be like new, then I believe that if a person buys a new car, then there should be no such defects. More precisely, they can and will appear during the production process, but they must be eliminated before the car is handed over to the client.

______________________________

 

[Kwim]

@Tellthemride ,
I will ask you 2 questions, I know you are not stupid and I am sure that you will understand why this is:
1 - As you already know, I am an aircraft engine engineer. If I, like the guys who built my car, will do my job, will you and your loved ones want to fly on such an airplane?
2 - Your neighbor will come up and scratch your new car with a nail, your actions?

@Tellthemride , don't give me an answer, these questions, as I know 100% what answer is in your head when you read them.

 

[nabatron]

I would be upset myself spending a decent amount of money and it had all the nicks, crinks, dings, scratches ect...I am hoping when I do order the telly for my wife that quality control is up to standards or ill be going to the dealership lots!

 

[MarcinTexas]

@Tellthemride ,
I will ask you 2 questions, I know you are not stupid and I am sure that you will understand why this is:
1 - As you already know, I am an aircraft engine engineer. If I, like the guys who built my car, will do my job, will you and your loved ones want to fly on such an airplane?
2 - Your neighbor will come up and scratch your new car with a nail, your actions?


Checks. Even Korean brands.
Kia in Asia is generally checked under a magnifying glass, my friend works for Kia Asia as an engineer, so I know what I'm writing. I had 2 dozen new cars, the last 6 are Koreans, 2 of which were also assembled in the USA and I have not seen this yet. Cars that are produced in Korea are several steps higher than that of local production.
A former classmate of mine, works in Germany for a BMW, where, whenever there are inclusions in the paint, the car is repeatedly dipped into a bath of paint.
Yes, I agree that some defects are small, but they are there and these are defects. I spend a lot of money on updating cars, including the reason - I do not want to see shabby, scratched, dented plastic, leather, etc.
Therefore, if I buy a new thing and pay like a new one, I want it to be new, otherwise I can go and buy a used one and save money.

Well, the main idea is that we are different. People with a mentality from North America take cars very simply.
I constantly see how cars are handed over for repair, service - without acts of transfer and description of defects. And then on the forums, but you don't have to go far and on our forum there are complaints that the dealer has scratched, torn, crumpled, ruined, etc.
And what should they not scratch / tear / wrinkle / ruin if they know that clients will not be asked too much.
I am from Russia, I lived in Asia, in the Emirates and everywhere they treat other people's cars carefully, because they respect someone else's property, someone else's labor and earned money.
I am not saying that this is good or bad - it is different.
If a person like you paid 50K for a new car and he does not care that it will not be like new, then I believe that if a person buys a new car, then there should be no such defects. More precisely, they can and will appear during the production process, but they must be eliminated before the car is handed over to the client.

First off - you can't compare the quality of a $40-50K car to that of an $50M+ airplane. Second - comparing a BMW to a mainstream brand. Also not reasonable. Third - North America has been and continues to be one of the largest auto enthusiast nations on the planet - it is ingrained in our culture. Not really a good idea to go and disparage an entire nation of people because like you said, we are different. I don't think it is that people from North America treat vehicles more simply but rather that they are just more common here. You mentioned living in Russia, Asia and int he Emirates. In those places - there are far fewer vehicles per capita than here in the US. Because America has such a large middle class - more people own vehicles. I see this as a good thing. For example - in the US as of the most recent statistics I could find - there are an average of 838 cars per 1,000 people. In Russia that drops to 381 per 1,000 people, in the Emirates it drops even further to 234 cars per 1,000. In Asia they are far more common than eastern Europe or the middle east - but far lower than the US. In KIA's home market there are just 475 cars per 1,000 people, Japan 649 and China only 188. So I would expect those nations to have a culture of treating a rarer object differently than we would treat a common object.

That isn't to say that we don't want or expect quality - but you are comparing a lot of things that aren't really comparable. Many of the things you posted - were on our Honda Odyssey we bought new. Not saying it is right - but it is a reality of mass producing vehicles for the largest middle class in the world. I would rather living in a country that affords such opportunities than live in a place where the middle class doesn't exist and the majority of people don't even own vehicles.

Just some food for thought from a proud Red White and Blue American.

 

[Sportshot2]

I have had reservations about purchasing a KIA from way before I ordered my T. I read every review and watched dozens of videos where every single opinion was full of praise for value and the content of the vehicle. My T is expected within the next six weeks and only time will tell if my skepticism was warranted.

I have had a very poor experience with Chrysler products in the past and would never purchase any Dodge, Chrysler or Fiat product again. I’m not talking about a nick or scratch in paint or upholster, my experience was failure to start or erratic electronics operation. When my wife started to call it her “Devil Dodge” it was quickly replaced. I hope I own the KIA as long as I owned a recently sold 2008 Toyota RAV4 V-6.

Build quality and reliability of most new vehicles has come a long way. I’m not aware of any “Yugo’s” still being produced. Not making excuses for manufacturers but I actually marvel how some things are put together. Few screws in trim pieces and everything installed with adhesives and clips. I once tried to remove a radio and nicked some trim pieces without ever getting the radio out. I expect that most people will leave some kind of tool mark working on trim pieces after factory installation. I’m of the attitude that most interior trim pieces will never be removed for the life of most cars.

Kwim, your engineering background and Attention to detail required in your line of work make me wonder if you will ever be satisfied with your T after finding so many issues that disappointed you. Maybe you should sell it now while the market is hot and purchase something from a dealer you can throughly inspect beforehand. I would also say that I’m very pleased with your matter of fact attention to details because I occasionally fly and hope everyone involved in aircraft manufacturing has your eye for detail. There is no moving to the shoulder if you have an issue with an aircraft.

______________________________

 

[Kyle]

I have had reservations about purchasing a KIA from way before I ordered my T. I read every review and watched dozens of videos where every single opinion was full of praise for value and the content of the vehicle. My T is expected within the next six weeks and only time will tell if my skepticism was warranted.

I have had a very poor experience with Chrysler products in the past and would never purchase any Dodge, Chrysler or Fiat product again. I’m not talking about a nick or scratch in paint or upholster, my experience was failure to start or erratic electronics operation. When my wife started to call it her “Devil Dodge” it was quickly replaced. I hope I own the KIA as long as I owned a recently sold 2008 Toyota RAV4 V-6.

Build quality and reliability of most new vehicles has come a long way. I’m not aware of any “Yugo’s” still being produced. Not making excuses for manufacturers but I actually marvel how some things are put together. Few screws in trim pieces and everything installed with adhesives and clips. I once tried to remove a radio and nicked some trim pieces without ever getting the radio out. I expect that most people will leave some kind of tool mark working on trim pieces after factory installation. I’m of the attitude that most interior trim pieces will never be removed for the life of most cars.

Kwim, your engineering background and Attention to detail required in your line of work make me wonder if you will ever be satisfied with your T after finding so many issues that disappointed you. Maybe you should sell it now while the market is hot and purchase something from a dealer you can throughly inspect beforehand. I would also say that I’m very pleased with your matter of fact attention to details because I occasionally fly and hope everyone involved in aircraft manufacturing has your eye for detail. There is no moving to the shoulder if you have an issue with an aircraft.

First post here guys and just picked up my new Telluride. I have not gone to the attention that Kwim did, nor will I, but if I see a legit defect and it can be repaired than I might address it at a dealer visit.

Funny-we've had 5 FCA products the past few years-some brand new-2 Cherokee's and a few older Jeeps/Durango and they've been bullet proof. Know they get a bad rap but our new Cherokee's have 75k and no issues.

Kwim-I think you will only be satisified with maybe a Lexus or Mercedes product-like others have said-this is a mass produced product and not perfect, nor will it ever be. Some of this should of been caught-but some of this is just going to be there. Either way, good luck.

 

[dansta]

these types of issues should be spiked out during your inspection prior to accepting the car.

I know this sort of attention to detail and inspection is reserved for a lot of Tesla buyers and I myself have never looked this hard when buying my cars in the past.

Hopefully things get addressed and sorted out. I will make sure to keep an eye on these areas when I pick mine up.

 

[machtig]

Those are extremely minor defects that do not affect function whatsoever. You have solid attention to detail. If it were my car I’d continue driving and enjoying it. I for damn sure wouldn’t take it back to the dealer for precisely the reasons you mention; they’d likely make it worse or make new damages. There are things that are worth stressing over and things that are not. These defects are the latter in my opinion.

 

[Kwim]

1 - made an appointment with a dealer as required by the warranty process.
2 - received a standard answer from Kia Canada that I had to go to the dealer.
3 - In any case, got confirmation from the dealer what they were doing with the car until delivery.
For now, I'm starting the warranty process as required by the business procedure.
I think it will take a time. I will inform you about the results.

PS Now I am completely convinced that the pillar trim was removed at the factory and this is due to the headliner creases. Something went wrong and they tried to fix it.

______________________________

 

[nabatron]

1 - made an appointment with a dealer as required by the warranty process.
2 - received a standard answer from Kia Canada that I had to go to the dealer.
3 - In any case, got confirmation from the dealer what they were doing with the car until delivery.
For now, I'm starting the warranty process as required by the business procedure.
I think it will take a time. I will inform you about the results.

PS Now I am completely convinced that the pillar trim was removed at the factory and this is due to the headliner creases. Something went wrong and they tried to fix it.

Interested on seeing what will happen. Its concerning since we are interested in buying the telluride but don't want to deal with all these issues. Especially whe we have to pay close to 65k with taxes for this vehicle. Live in BC taxes are shit lol

 

[Kwim]

Interested on seeing what will happen. Its concerning since we are interested in buying the telluride but don't want to deal with all these issues. Especially whe we have to pay close to 65k with taxes for this vehicle. Live in BC taxes are shit lol

Don't worry, I am guessing that this is an isolated case - well, I'm so lucky.
As I wrote above, I had 2 dozen cars - and this is the first one with such problems.
My guess is that when the headliner was installed, something went wrong and the plastic trim was removed at the factory to fix it.
local craftsmen don't think too much - they stick iron tools. Here is the result.

Regarding paint, there are already more chances, since the painting equipment is set up economically than at the Korean factory. I have a paint thickness gauge, telluride paint is 25 microns thinner than sedona.

 

[Kyle]

Don't worry, I am guessing that this is an isolated case - well, I'm so lucky.
As I wrote above, I had 2 dozen cars - and this is the first one with such problems.
My guess is that when the headliner was installed, something went wrong and the plastic trim was removed at the factory to fix it.
local craftsmen don't think too much - they stick iron tools. Here is the result.

Regarding paint, there are already more chances, since the painting equipment is set up economically than at the Korean factory. I have a paint thickness gauge, telluride paint is 25 microns thinner than sedona.

Interesting.....Curious what the Palisade thickness would be since it is Korean made?

 

[noles1983]

They probably knew it was your vehicle and did it on purpose because you are annoying