A 2023 Kia K5, purchased new from a dealership in San Diego, California, experienced persistent electrical issues affecting its lighting and safety systems. The owner sought multiple repairs at Riverside Kia in an attempt to resolve these recurring problems, which continued despite several visits to the service department.
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle, the owner noticed issues with the passenger-side LED running light, which would randomly turn off. At 4,093 miles, the vehicle was taken to Riverside Kia for the first time, where a multi-point inspection was performed. The passenger-side LED running light was found to be malfunctioning, and the right headlamp unit (lamp assy-head, RH) was replaced under warranty. Despite this repair, the issue persisted.
The vehicle was brought back to Riverside Kia for a second repair visit, where technicians performed another inspection, reset tire pressures, and reinstalled the same headlamp assembly. However, the problem with the passenger-side running light turning off continued. Technicians removed the front bumper to inspect the headlamp circuits, ground connections, and voltage levels.
After swapping components and test-driving the vehicle, they still couldn’t replicate the issue. A Kia field technician later identified a loose ground pin connection, which was adjusted. The issue appeared to be resolved temporarily, but it resurfaced shortly after.
The vehicle was again brought to the shop, this time for 16 days. The issue with the passenger-side running light not functioning properly persisted. During this visit, technicians replaced the Integrated Power Module (IPM) under warranty, in hopes of addressing the issue. However, even after the repair, the problem continued.
The issue remained unresolved, prompting another repair visit. The vehicle was brought back to Riverside Kia for a 24-day stay. The customer once again reported that the passenger-side running light was still malfunctioning. Technicians verified the issue and found the grounding pins to be faulty.
Kia’s field technician confirmed the concern and recommended replacing the wiring harness. The dealership then replaced the wiring assembly and re-scanned the vehicle, finding no further issues with the customer’s concern. Despite all efforts, the vehicle continued to experience electrical issues.
Frustrated by the ongoing defects, the owner turned to legal assistance under California’s Lemon Law. The Lemon Law Experts successfully negotiated a buyback with Kia, ensuring the client received a full refund, including the purchase price, repair costs, and legal fees.
If you’re experiencing ongoing issues with your vehicle, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Lemon Law Experts for a free consultation. Our team has successfully helped thousands of consumers obtain buybacks and fair compensation for defective vehicles.
