Leased the car Sept. 2018. in May 2020, power steering would intermittently go out. Turning off and then back on ignition would bring back the power steering. Brought to the dealer and mechanic found two codes: dtcs C168808 vsm2 signal error and c160496 ecu hardware error. They replaced the steering gearbox assembly op 56500R00. All was well until I brought it in for the 30,000 mile maintenance, which included a four-wheel alignment. The next day, I noticed when turning right at speeds of around 15-25 mph, there was a groaning and sometimes creaking sound coming from the steering column area. Sounds did not occur at any other speeds or when turning left. The car drove fine otherwise. Brought back to the dealer who has been working with the techline and has been unable to diagnose it. They have had my car now for a month. I called Kia corporate yesterday who "escalated" the case. The mechanic at my local Kia dealer said they are waiting on a "tool" from "Snap-on" to help diagnose the problem and tell me this tool is on backorder. The car has 30,030 miles on it. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks for your help!!
The mechanic at my local Kia dealer said they are waiting on a "tool" from "Snap-on" to help diagnose the problem and tell me this tool is on backorder.
Do you really believe that?
Live with the issue and return the car after lease is over.
No, I don't believe that and that's why I'm on here. They said my car isn't safe to drive and won't return the car to me.
Hope they give you a loaner car. Unfortunately, this is the way these companies deal with their customers.
Thanks.
They finally clarified they are waiting on a Steelman ChaissisEars, which totally makes sense. Though it suggests to me that is the lazy way to troubleshoot abnormal sounds. What did mechanics do for this issue prior to the production of theses tools? Same things doctors did before the development of Echocardiograms - they diagnosed the type of heart murmur based on the sounds and locations associated with the murmur.