Complaint Review: KIA

The 2013 KIA Sportage was given a recall on the GDI system that utilized the FCV to control supply of fuel. I had this done, and lost TURBO. Turbo doesn't spool at all. The car used to do 14 PSI; barely does 8 PSI. In park, with the pedal to the medal, it doesn't rev above 4 RPM's. I paid for a turbo that no longer exists. This car used to beat my friend's posche and barely gets up to speed to pass a car. I've lost at least 60 HP in the car- doesn't even go to redline now.

After the FCV recall, I lost all the performance I enjoyed and paid for in this car. I went to 2 dealers only to be told it drives fine. Well I and everyone who’s driven this car totally disagree. The ECM reflash - the recall- consisted of updating the software originally supplied by the car maker and changing its Air/Fuel Ratio algorithms. The rule of thumb is 12-14/1 optimum. The new software seems to keep the Turbo's wastegate open too much during wide open throttle causing the Turbo Not "Spool Up" all the way, losing boost, and obviously power loss. So, why did KIA update the software instead of replacing the faulty FCV valve - because it's cheaper than re-engineering the FCV. Or, even more expensive but better yet, why not replace it with a tried and true fuel pressure regulator- Cost for KIA?  Instead the easy route was to detune the car so it doesn't reach full boost, saving the FCV. So the car is now "killed in action."

But this did lead me to learn about certain safety issues that have me very concerned. The turbo is located near the firewall, on the backside of the engine. If the pressurized part and axial lode of the turbo Fails, and is spinning at an average of 150,000 rpm's, this can act like a grenade under the hood, throwing shrapnel everywhere, possibly causing both driver and passenger injury or death, as the force of the pieces of hot steel and aluminum from the axial lode, plus the inertia of rotating blades at 150 rpms, would penetrate through the firewall.