Derrek Nelson
Derrek Nelson at Southlake Kia

Derrek Nelson

Service Manager

Southlake Kia

4191 E. Lincoln Highway
Merrillville, IN 46410

Contact Me
4.3
6 Reviews

10 plus years in the Automotive Industry, I am an avid outdoorsman, Fishing and Hunting are my passions. I have served in the United States Marine Corps with deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dealership Experience

6 yrs, 3 mos

Industry Experience

12 yrs, 7 mos

Specialties & Trainings

Kia Master Service Writer

4.3

6 Reviews

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6 Reviews of Derrek Nelson

August 27, 2025

Dealership Rating
Employee Rating

Avoid this dealer at all costs. Their service department is blatantly dishonest. I brought my fiancée’s Kia Forte in for a well-documented screen issue, simply to verify if it wa More

by G Cẃik
Workmanship
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
No

Other Employees Tagged: Keeten Rippy, Thad Rippy

Aug 28, 2025

Southlake Kia responded

Mr. Griffin, The brake inspection was not unsolicited, she requested the brake inspection along with the radio concern. We offered multiple times to bring the car back in and verify the brake pad life of the car by showing you personally. You claimed that you brought the car to Thomas Kia, our sister store, after your visit here, they have no record of that visit. Mistakes can happen, we acknowledge that, but you never gave us the chance to see what was going on. Your radio is no longer covered under factory warranty and the manufacturer declined to offer you a free one. As a gesture in good faith, I offered you install at no charge if you purchased a radio. We can't authorize warranty repairs outside of time and mileage as an independent franchise dealer. Since you did not purchase the car from us and have never serviced with us, we can't see if any extended warranties may apply. P.S stop deleting the review so it deletes our reply. Have a wonderful day!

Aug 30, 2025

G Cẃik responded

I want to break this down clearly, as the information you relayed to your manager does not align with the facts. At no point did I refuse service. However, time is valuable, and your team offered no resolution or compensation for requiring me to return due to your mistake just to receive and apology. I have been the one initiating contact at every stage, so I’m unclear how you claim to have “communicated multiple times” when the follow-up has only occurred because I reached out. The inspection was specifically for the steering wheel clicking sound (again well documented issue for a average service department). That issue is entirely unrelated to the brakes, yet your team attempted to connect the two. In addition, the tires were neither marked nor checked, which raises serious concerns about the accuracy of your inspection process in relation to possible break inspection that was supposedly requested. Due to the fact that if brakes were thought to be and issues tires would have been secondary point to check. The tires were not marked at all on inspection. Finally, any failure of your internal system to track paperwork is not my responsibility—especially when I have documented follow-up records directly from Thomas Kia, with a date on it... This has zero to do with the radio and 100% to do with how you and your team operate ethically and honestly for the people that visit your dealer.

January 25, 2025

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Everyone is quite helpful and fast. They also wash my car before returning it which I really appreciate.The employees are all friendly and polite.. I haven’t had any problems with my ca More

by margyoc
Service Price Transparency
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Recommend Dealer
Yes

October 04, 2024

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Employee Rating

I've purchased several vehicles from this dealer as well as had complete services on them and to date satisfaction has been the best I've ever had. My review on this dealership has the five star plus as far More

by IM4CHINIT
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Earl Nymeyer, Juan Gaona, Billy Anderson, Michael Calderone , Tony DeLeon, Marcella Guerrero, Jeff Koehler, N/A

Oct 04, 2024

Southlake Kia responded

Thank you for your continued trust in us! We're honored to receive your "five star plus" rating and thrilled to hear that your experiences with both vehicle purchases and services have been the best you've ever had. Your satisfaction means the world to us, and we look forward to providing you with top-notch service in the future!

June 29, 2024

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Southlake Kia is great to do business with have bought multiple cars with them, always have been fair and honest. More

by jlegg17
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
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Recommend Dealer
Yes
Jul 10, 2024

Southlake Kia responded

Thank you so much for your loyalty and kind words! We're thrilled to hear that you've had multiple positive experiences with us and that we've always been fair and honest. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we look forward to continuing to serve you for many years to come.

June 22, 2024

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Employee Rating

Great service experience, although Kia engineers were slow to respond to the issue South Lake Kia was on top of it all the time. More

by Sissytruck
Service Price Transparency
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Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Marcella Guerrero

Jun 24, 2024

Southlake Kia responded

Thank you for your review! We're glad to hear that you had a great service experience with us. We always strive to stay on top of issues and provide the best possible service to our customers. Your feedback is appreciated, and we look forward to serving you again in the future.

February 24, 2024

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Employee Rating

Friendly service. Car is ready when they say it is. If you need a ride home that's available to you at no charge. More

by robertdombrowski13
Service Price Transparency
Workmanship
Service Time
Service Communication
Recommend Dealer
Yes

Other Employees Tagged: Dan Drakulich, Bryan Nortman, David Langmeyer Jr. , Marcella Guerrero, Jeff Koehler

Feb 26, 2024

Southlake Kia responded

Hi Robert, Thank you for your feedback! We're thrilled to hear that you received friendly service and that your car was ready when promised. We appreciate your business and look forward to assisting you in the future. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to reach out. Have a great day!

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