Destination Kia - Service Center

HOW TO FAIL in customer service, aka my experience with DESTINATION KIA, Albany NY (don't even get me going on Matthews Kia, also a trainwreck).   Also note, I work for myself and if I ran my business lik DESTINATION KIA, Albany NY (don't even get me going on Matthews Kia, also a trainwreck).   Also note, I work for myself and if I ran my business like they do, I'd have no clients.  They are not Kooky in any good way, that's a tired old marketing phrase that should go - perhaps they should cut their advertising budget and spend more money on training or hiring more people!! All I want (which is what anyone would want and how I run my business) is for people to be honest, return calls when they say they are (or give updates) and not overpromise.  DESTINATION KIA consistently fails (both service people and managers). My car has been there for over 3 weeks now (I paid for a rental for over 2 weeks as the policy now is that the dealer won't provide a rental until they determine my issue was not caused by an "outside source" (it wasn't).  Also note when they had to order tires for me earlier this year from CT, they freely gave me a rental for several days as it was over a weekend.  Finally this past Monday (7/21/25) I received a rental from them as they had done a diagnostic of my car from the back corner parking lot with large trash around it (I guess this is done?).  I walked in after seeing that and they said they did that and  it needed a part they had in stock; they hoped to get it in put in on Monday/Tuesday.  On Tuesday morning when I called, they said the new part was put in but blew out 2 other electrical parts, so they would have to order part (s) and were hoping to have my car back to me this past Weds/Thurs. It is now Friday 5pm as I write this (having made calls yesterday and 3x this afternoon), and no one can give me an update on the status.  It is just unacceptable to be going through this (and my car is just turning 3 years old).  I WARN YOU TO STAY AWAY FROM DESTINATION KIA (AND MATTHEWS KIA)....and although I love my car when it works, never KIA again.  It's time they grew up and treated their customers better! More

If I could leave zero stars I would. This happened on Monday, June 30th, 2025. Went for an oil change, they recommended brakes, so I went for a full brake job. Picked up the car and This happened on Monday, June 30th, 2025. Went for an oil change, they recommended brakes, so I went for a full brake job. Picked up the car and 15 minutes down the road I hear knocking in the back and have the feeling of no brake fluid. Fortunately, I was able to avoid an accident and find a safe place to park. I find that my rear left wheel is covered in brake fluid, and the caliper wasn’t even attached. The piston came completely out. I then call Kia to explain the situation and the two questions from the woman on the phone were how far away are you from the dealership, and do you think you could drive back. Seriously? After an hour dealing with the tow truck, upon arriving to Kia not one person from management expressed any resemblance of care. We asked to see my car up on the lift and to speak with the mechanic who worked on the car. He simply forgot to screw whatever was needed back on. I asked if they test drove it, and the answer was a 7 mile test drive.. however my in and out mileage on the paperwork was a difference of 1, so that was a lie. I even game him a second chance and he lied again. We were told that they had to order the part and would overnight it if possible, and that Wednesday I should be able to pick it up. I was called around 3pm on Wednesday to be told that they just started working on it, and when I requested an order history of the part they completely ignored it. This place is the most untrustworthy dealership in the area and should be ashamed for the “5 star” service they preach. Literally will never go back or recommend this place to anyone I know. More