KIA Finance Horrible Customer Care- I can't get my car registration, unable to drive.
Back on July 25th. I gained back possession of my KIA and paid all necessary fees. Then went to Central FL to get my car from KIA's holding location in Central FL on August 14th. I am going to fast forward to the issue with the registration. I was driving on September 17th; my license plate expires 9/26. The office pulled me over and stated that my license plate expired on my birthday, 9/15 (I know he was being dramatic). I made an appointment to the DMV on my day off on October 2nd to get my registration, I was then told that they do not show any registration in the FL DSMV system in my name. I gave them my car VIN#. They advised me that Hyundai AKA KIA America is the only owner on the title and that this change was made on August 11th. I called KIA Finance on Oct 2nd to resolve the issue, and I was bounced around for about 3 hours from Customer Care to Collections to Reinstatement and then Consumer Affairs. No one seemed to car that my car had been sitting with no registration and I am not able to drive. I called multiple times, every day and spoke with representatives that told me that they couldn't help. Finally, 2 weeks ago, I thought there was light at the end of the tunnel, I spoke to a supervisor names Alejandra who advised me she was opening a case and sending me title paperwork in the mail. I never received anything but a KIA Statement. I called and spoke with another supervisor, Samira, she told me that a case was open but someone from the Care Team was supposed to contact me on next steps (didn't happen, until Monday 10/19) and she would mail me a notarized letter to take to the DMV, well that never happened either. Monday, October 19th, Anais with the Care Team called me and stated that the reason that FL DSMV system does not have registration for me is because they never moved the title back under my name once I gained back possession of my car. I already knew this and have explained this over and over. NO one emailed me back or called me until Monday. She stated I would have to sign documents and send back so the title team can add my name back to the title. I asked her if this form can be emailed due to the fact that I have spent countless amount of money renting cars on Turo because I can't drive my car legally, this has caused a tremendous financial strain. She said, she will ask and let me know. I also inquired about compensation for the Turo rental cars I have had to rent due to their negligence and error. She also mentions she will request if that is possible and for me to email her my rental car receipts. I emailed her the receipts immediately. Again, no response or acknowledgement. I called Anais today, and she checked her notes and said there were no updates, and they are not able to do anything about me having to pay for other forms of transportation. She said she will escalate the case so my name can be added to the title. I thought this would've been escalated after you heard my concern from Monday and that I need to be able to drive my car. I expressed this and it seems like there is no concern. I finally reached out to KIA Corporate and spoke to Courtney today; she was no help because she says KIA Finance has to resolve this matter. This issue is making me physical sick. I am tired and coming to the end of my funds. I can't continue to rent a car, but I have to work. I work 45 to 50 minutes from my home.
I am sorry you are going through this ordeal. When you say you 'gained back possession' of the car, had it been repossessed? If so, it's possible that once repossessed, Kia legally changed the title to the car. You need to stop calling and start communicating in writing so that you can establish a paper trail of who told you what, and when. Kia Customer Care is correct in that Kia Finance must resolve as they are currently the legal owners of the vehicle. Elliott.org has company contacts available on their site, and Kia Finance can be found here: https://www.elliott.org/company-contacts/kia-finance-america-customer-service-contacts/.
Start by emailing a concise summary of the issue and what has happened to date to the first contact on the list. If they don't respond after a week, move to the second contact. Bullet points are a great way to keep it on point and easy to understand. Don't add anything extra...the fact that you have had to spend money renting cars during this time is irrelevant to the real issue of getting your name back on the title. If the car was, in fact, repossessed for unpaid monies, it isn't Kia's fault and they likely won't accept any responsibility or work any faster to resolve. Be polite but persistent and hopefully in a short period of time, this can get resolved








