My father, a proud Veteran, recently passed away and left my mother a small life insurance policy…read more He specifically wanted her to use it to buy a reliable vehicle. She purchased a used 2020 Chevy Trax from Bill Byrd Kia, trusting their assurances--both to her and my husband (a mechanic)--that the car had been fully inspected and that any necessary repairs would be handled. My husband even provided them with a list of items to check.
The only issue they acknowledged at the time of purchase was the tire pressure light, and they told us the sensors would be ordered and installed later. However, my mother never received a call back about those sensors. Then, within a week, the check engine light came on.
Because of her experience so far--dirty interior, broken promises about the sensors, and overall lack of professionalism--she didn't feel comfortable returning to Bill Byrd Kia. Instead, she brought the vehicle to Bill Cramer Chevrolet, where they found the catalytic converter needed to be replaced and finally addressed the tire pressure sensors. The repair cost totaled around $3,000.
On top of that, she had to leave my car at the shop for a week and rent a vehicle--additional expenses she couldn't afford, especially after just losing her husband. More repairs were needed, totaling another $1,000, but she couldn't cover them. She had already spent over $11,000 between the vehicle and repairs.
Ultimately, with the help of the Chevy dealership, she was able to trade the car in for a new one, using the remaining insurance money. She brought the repair bills to Kia and spoke with Manager John K., who said he would discuss the matter with the owner and call her the next day. She never heard back, and when she followed up, he told her they would not be issuing any kind of refund because it would "not be beneficial" to them.
Not only was my mother sold a defective car, but she was also treated with complete disregard and disrespect. It's deeply upsetting that a business would take advantage of a grieving Veteran's widow--especially after being given a chance to make it right.
I am extremely disappointed and angered by how this situation was handled. No one should be treated this way, especially not someone in her vulnerable position.
