Imagine investing in a brand-new car, only to have it plagued with issues right from the start. This is precisely the frustrating reality for one Kia Telluride owner, and her story is raising eyebrows across the automotive world.
Harlie Bender (@livingwithhar), a mom, shared her experience in a video that quickly gained traction, amassing over 22,000 views. She details a series of problems with her 2025 Kia Telluride that began almost immediately after she bought it. She claims that she noticed brake problems within the first month of ownership, and despite reaching out to the dealership, she was met with silence.
"This is for Kia and if you're not Kia, keep scrolling," Bender says, adding in the caption. "I’ve had nothing but issues and dealership’s refusing to contact [me]."
After weeks of waiting without a response, Bender escalated the issue to Kia's corporate customer service. While she found the initial representative helpful, the dealership's continued lack of communication led her to escalate further. In the meantime, she took the vehicle to a different Kia dealership.
That second dealership kept her car for three hours before diagnosing the issue as the ABS brake system activating normally, suggesting she simply wasn't accustomed to it because her vehicle has off-road tires. Bender wasn't satisfied with that explanation.
"I learned how to drive in an F-350. Please don't try to mansplain something to me," she says in the video.
When Kia's escalation department contacted her, Bender says the representative asked what she wanted them to do about the situation.
"I don't know. You tell me," Bender says.
She went on to say they told her she would need to drop off the vehicle without being provided a loaner car, which she found impractical.
But here's where it gets controversial: The brake issues weren't the only problem. Bender also reported that her back passenger door wouldn't close properly, with the locking mechanism appearing stuck. This left her stranded, unable to even take the car to a dealership for repairs. In the video's caption, Bender directly tagged Kia Motors, describing the brake problems as "a huge safety issue." She also noted that she couldn't switch to a different car brand due to Kia's policies.
This situation has sparked a debate: Is this an isolated incident, or a symptom of a larger problem?
Navigating the Lemon Laws:
If you find yourself in a similar situation with a defective new car, it's crucial to know your rights. Both federal and state lemon laws are in place to protect consumers. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) states that most states have lemon laws requiring manufacturers to fix problems at no cost if issues occur soon after purchase. If the product fails to meet quality and performance standards, buyers may have the option to get their money back.
And this is the part most people miss: These protections vary significantly by state. Generally, a lemon is defined as a vehicle with manufacturing or design defects that impact its safety or value and cannot reasonably be repaired by the manufacturer. Most state lemon laws require a certain number of unsuccessful repair attempts (typically three to four) or a specific amount of time the vehicle is out of service (usually 30 days) within the warranty period before the vehicle qualifies for replacement or refund. Some states offer stronger protections for serious safety defects, such as brake or steering failures, requiring fewer repair attempts before the consumer is entitled to relief.
A Mix of Reactions:
While many viewers expressed sympathy for Bender's situation, others were quick to criticize her choice of vehicle. Some commenters offered helpful advice, such as contacting an attorney or exploring options to void the contract.
What do you think? Is this a case of a single bad experience, or does it reflect broader concerns about Kia's quality control and customer service? Share your thoughts and experiences in the comments below!
