[AnitaTee]

This is where I am folks with this...
2/5/24 - dropped car off with Svc Mgr and I asked him exactly what they were going to try. He said they were first going to work on getting the update out of computer. I reminded him that his onsite tech said that was not possible but he stated that the higher ups (guessing tech dept) said it is possible. I have my doubts about this.

2/9/24 - I called Svc Mgr as it has been 5 days and I heard nothing since they took my car in on Monday the 5th. Svc Mgr did not have any updated info except to say that they were trying things and that he had staff out sick so work had been impacted. Literally means they haven't done anything yet or they tried and it didn't work. He asked me to give him a few more days and check back with him on Wed the 14th. I believe this is just a stall because the last thing they want to do is put a new computer in. I also said to him that he knows as well as me that taking the update out is highly unlikely but we'll see what they come up with.

Here's the update boys and girls:
2/16/24 - Another week of my car at the dealer with no call from them. I reached out on Feb 16th and the Svc Mgr said that they have decided that the only way to fix this was a new computer which I have said from over 3 months ago. I then went on to ask how long to get one and John replied he was going to work on that when we hung up. He said to call him back on Monday the 19th after 12pm if I hadn't heard from him by then.

2/19/24 - I reached back out to John and he said he was going to call parts dept and he'd call me back in a bit. The whole day passed and I never heard from him.

2/20/24 - Svc Mgr called and said they have ordered the body control module which is one of the 3 computers that is in the car. He stated that particular part is where the update was uploaded to so they will replace with a new one. The part comes from Cal. and will take about 10 days to get here. His tech guy will be back at work on March 5th so that week it will be installed and then fingers crossed that this is the fix. I'm going tomorrow to get my car back until we can move forward again. This has been so freakin' ridiculous the whole thing. Why didn't they just try this in the beginning like I asked??

 

[Jaybird Skedattle]

Sometimes dealers seem clueless with there product they sell and it is disturbing to owners

 

[AnitaTee]

Sometimes dealers seem clueless with there product they sell and it is disturbing to owners

The issue honestly wasn't with the dealer, the issue was with KIA Motors themselves as they knew installing the anti-theft update could interfere with the remote start however they did not inform the dealers of this. The Svc Mgr had never heard of the glitch before I told him and that I happened to come upon from doing research on my own after the remote start stopped working. That is negligence on the part of KIA Motors. When going in to have the update installed, consumers who have a remote start should have been given the option of installing it but agree to lose the functionality of the remote start. Myself and hundreds of others were not. Now they are replacing the body control module in a few weeks which is in essence a new computer without the anti theft update in it. I asked for this months ago as you can see if you look back on my timelines in this post. I hope the new module will solve the problem.

 

[mobileterminaluser]

Tell them you want your old one back for "just in case the new 1 takes a sh!t"

Also, you can look online, FB marketplace, Forte/Kia & Hyundai FB pages for vehicle computer guys/garages to clear & reset your old one.

 

[AnitaTee]

Here's the update boys and girls:
2/16/24 - Another week of my car at the dealer with no call from them. I reached out on Feb 16th and the Svc Mgr said that they have decided that the only way to fix this was a new computer which I have said from over 3 months ago. I then went on to ask how long to get one and John replied he was going to work on that when we hung up. He said to call him back on Monday the 19th after 12pm if I hadn't heard from him by then.

2/19/24 - I reached back out to John and he said he was going to call parts dept and he'd call me back in a bit. The whole day passed and I never heard from him.

2/20/24 - Svc Mgr called and said they have ordered the body control module which is one of the 3 computers that is in the car. He stated that particular part is where the update was uploaded to so they will replace with a new one. The part comes from Cal. and will take about 10 days to get here. His tech guy will be back at work on March 5th so that week it will be installed and then fingers crossed that this is the fix. I'm going tomorrow to get my car back until we can move forward again. This has been so freakin' ridiculous the whole thing. Why didn't they just try this in the beginning like I asked??

3/18/24 - So the body control module finally comes in and they had me leave my car on March 14th to install it. Before doing that, however, the Service Mgr happened to read something from a publication given to the dealerships and it had to do with an upload for remote starts. So they put this upload into my car and they called me to say the remote start now works perfectly. I'm going to get the car tomorrow so will test it out then. And now of course, it's spring where I am and don't need it. This was a 4.5 month journey that was a real pain and should have been fixed a lot sooner.

 

[jrrsrc]

In October I had the anti theft update installed as per the Kia recalls I had been receiving and it has affected my remote start. I did some research on here and found that Kia has known about the glitch for months but continued to install the update. I brought my car back to the dealer who in turn did research as well and he is trying to find a solution to rectify the issue but not having any luck. The car thinks someone is trying to steal it when I try to activate the remote and either the remote won't engage or if it does the alarm starts going off. I live in a complex and at 6 in the morning that is not acceptable. After Thanksgiving I am going to call Kia's corporate offices as they need to resolve this. I don't know how they are going to do that as once the update is installed it can not be taken out.
Anyone else having this issue?

I have been waiting for your update, but have not seen it. Last I saw you were going to pick up your Kia after they updated the autostart software. Did that fix the issue? Or did they have to install the body control computer? Look forward to hearing so I know what steps I should take with my local dealer that doesn't have a clue.

 

[jrrsrc]

3/18/24 - So the body control module finally comes in and they had me leave my car on March 14th to install it. Before doing that, however, the Service Mgr happened to read something from a publication given to the dealerships and it had to do with an upload for remote starts. So they put this upload into my car and they called me to say the remote start now works perfectly. I'm going to get the car tomorrow so will test it out then. And now of course, it's spring where I am and don't need it. This was a 4.5 month journey that was a real pain and should have been fixed a lot sooner.

After you picked up your car and tested it, did that fix the problem?

 

[AnitaTee]

I have been waiting for your update, but have not seen it. Last I saw you were going to pick up your Kia after they updated the autostart software. Did that fix the issue? Or did they have to install the body control computer? Look forward to hearing so I know what steps I should take with my local dealer that doesn't have a clue.

So I am not sure how this forum lists stuff as my posts seem to be all over the place. I did post on 3/18 with the resolve but it's like hidden in other posts. Anyway this was the update:
3/18/24 - So the body control module finally comes in and they had me leave my car on March 14th to install it. They tried doing the 2nd anti-theft update but it did not solve the problem. They were now going to put the body control module in HOWEVER right before doing that, the Service Mgr happened to read something from a publication given to the dealerships and it had to do with an upload for remote starts. So they put this upload into my car and they called me to say the remote start now works perfectly. I'm going to get the car tomorrow so will test it out then. And now of course, it's spring where I am and don't need it. This was a 4.5 month journey that was a real pain and should have been fixed a lot sooner.
3/26/24 - So I am very happy to report that the remote start has been working perfectly and I have had to use it multiple times since getting the car back as the temps have been lower than usual. I really hope that anyone out there that has had the same issue I did after the anti-theft was installed tell their dealer to do this fix. It worked for me.

 

[22GT2]

Very glad you got the issue solved! As for the "hidden" posts, click on the three dots at the top right of the page and select "Original View" toward the bottom of the menu. That will make the posts look like they used to (i.e. a list instead of nested).

 

[AnitaTee]

Very glad you got the issue solved! As for the "hidden" posts, click on the three dots at the top right of the page and select "Original View" toward the bottom of the menu. That will make the posts look like they used to (i.e. a list instead of nested).

Thank you so much for the hint with the conversations, it was making me crazy to not be able to read them in order or find them for that matter. So appreciate it!!

 

[jrrsrc]

So I am not sure how this forum lists stuff as my posts seem to be all over the place. I did post on 3/18 with the resolve but it's like hidden in other posts. Anyway this was the update:
3/18/24 - So the body control module finally comes in and they had me leave my car on March 14th to install it. They tried doing the 2nd anti-theft update but it did not solve the problem. They were now going to put the body control module in HOWEVER right before doing that, the Service Mgr happened to read something from a publication given to the dealerships and it had to do with an upload for remote starts. So they put this upload into my car and they called me to say the remote start now works perfectly. I'm going to get the car tomorrow so will test it out then. And now of course, it's spring where I am and don't need it. This was a 4.5 month journey that was a real pain and should have been fixed a lot sooner.
3/26/24 - So I am very happy to report that the remote start has been working perfectly and I have had to use it multiple times since getting the car back as the temps have been lower than usual. I really hope that anyone out there that has had the same issue I did after the anti-theft was installed tell their dealer to do this fix. It worked for me.

Thank you so much, I will be calling my dealer tomorrow morning.

 

[AnitaTee]

Thank you so much, I will be calling my dealer tomorrow morning.

I would also give him the phone number and contact info where I went. According to my Svc Mgr there are hundreds of updates given to them all the time. Knowing exactly which one helped me and where to look for it could prove helpful to your guy. Have your dealer contact John the Svc Mgr at KIA Stamford, CT 203-883-8888 . Keep us posted about what happens.

 

[jrrsrc]

I would also give him the phone number and contact info where I went. According to my Svc Mgr there are hundreds of updates given to them all the time. Knowing exactly which one helped me and where to look for it could prove helpful to your guy. Have your dealer contact John the Svc Mgr at KIA Stamford, CT 203-883-8888 . Keep us posted about what happens.

Thank you, yes that info will make this conversation with my Service Manager so much easier. Hopefully my outcome as well. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again.

 

[jrrsrc]

Thank you, yes that info will make this conversation with my Service Manager so much easier. Hopefully my outcome as well. I will keep you all updated. Thanks again.

Ok... just got off the phone with my local Kia of St. Cloud, MN dealer. Let me start this off with my previous opinion of that service department being incompetent as well as unfriendly has not been changed. The lady I spoke with and explained in detail about the update being available told me in so many words "that is not true". She said "just because some shop might have done something, we will only do things when they come through Kia of America." When I repeatedly tried to tell her the update was available and give her John at the Stamford dealership's phone number she outright refused to contact him. I said you're not even willing to make a phone call and check it out? She stated "Once again sir, we only take directives from Kia of America and until something for your particular vehicle is authorized by Kia of America, there is nothing we can do." It was in a very condescending tone and I thought about asking for the service manager, but dealt with him before (multiple times about this security update) and I know he has this same attitude as her. I decided I needed to cool off a bit, go to work and reexamine this conversation tomorrow. Will update further as my journey continues.

 

[AnitaTee]

Ok... just got off the phone with my local Kia of St. Cloud, MN dealer. Let me start this off with my previous opinion of that service department being incompetent as well as unfriendly has not been changed. The lady I spoke with and explained in detail about the update being available told me in so many words "that is not true". She said "just because some shop might have done something, we will only do things when they come through Kia of America." When I repeatedly tried to tell her the update was available and give her John at the Stamford dealership's phone number she outright refused to contact him. I said you're not even willing to make a phone call and check it out? She stated "Once again sir, we only take directives from Kia of America and until something for your particular vehicle is authorized by Kia of America, there is nothing we can do." It was in a very condescending tone and I thought about asking for the service manager, but dealt with him before (multiple times about this security update) and I know he has this same attitude as her. I decided I needed to cool off a bit, go to work and reexamine this conversation tomorrow. Will update further as my journey continues.

Wow!!! I would have needed to step away from the situation as well cause what would have come out of mouth would not have been nice. That is not a very professional way to do business, to just dismiss you when you had a possible solution to your problem. I called my Svc Mgr but he is out of the building until later this afternoon. I want to get the actual name of the "official" Kia of America directive that is published showing these updates. I'll be back when I get the name.

 

[Jaybird Skedattle]

Do you have another dealer not too far away to try

 

[AnitaTee]

I spoke to the Svc Mgr. First thing is, do you have a KIA remote start that either came with the car from factory or was purchased/installed through KIA later on like mine was? If it was a true KIA remote start then he said that you have to ask the dealer to program the remote engine starter. That is what they did to mine with the update. If you purchased a remote starter aftermarket brand then he said that is where the body control module would need to be replaced.
My suggestion to you is to go in person to the Svc Mgr and explain the situation. The fact that you can provide another KIA Svc Mgr's contact info for him to review this with is very beneficial for you. If you go there and they are not willing to look into this when you are providing what they need to do so, then next step is to contact the CEO of the Svc Dept. I have his name and contact info. You can let him know exactly what is going on and how they do not want to assist you in rectifying this problem. And I will be happy to write to him on your behalf as well. I say go down there and do a face to face. Keep us posted.

 

[jrrsrc]

I spoke to the Svc Mgr. First thing is, do you have a KIA remote start that either came with the car from factory or was purchased/installed through KIA later on like mine was? If it was a true KIA remote start then he said that you have to ask the dealer to program the remote engine starter. That is what they did to mine with the update. If you purchased a remote starter aftermarket brand then he said that is where the body control module would need to be replaced.
My suggestion to you is to go in person to the Svc Mgr and explain the situation. The fact that you can provide another KIA Svc Mgr's contact info for him to review this with is very beneficial for you. If you go there and they are not willing to look into this when you are providing what they need to do so, then next step is to contact the CEO of the Svc Dept. I have his name and contact info. You can let him know exactly what is going on and how they do not want to assist you in rectifying this problem. And I will be happy to write to him on your behalf as well. I say go down there and do a face to face. Keep us posted.

It is a Kia remote that they installed for me only about 11 months before the security update came out. They are 2.5 miles away and the next closest is 35 miles away. I could do that, but it would have to be on a Saturday if they have service. hours on a Saturday, I will have to check into that if all else fails. I will call again tomorrow morning and talk to the manager this time, I will give him one chance to hopefully actually listen to my story. That's more than the lady was willing to do this morning. I will explain that this fix is to reprogram the remote start. She was adamant that until Kia of America authorized a update specifically for my Rio by it's vin#, they would make no attempts to rectify this problem. I was thinking about her words today. This is all about them getting paid. If Kia doesn't specifically authorize it (just like recalls) the dealer won't get paid for their time. That's why she said it had to come through Kia of America with my vin#. They get paid a specific amount then to do each vehicle. (just like recalls and warranty work) Anyway, I appreciate all the information and will update after my next conversation.

 

[Acura_Kal]

This is all about them getting paid. If Kia doesn't specifically authorize it (just like recalls) the dealer won't get paid for their time.

For sure, it's always about the money. Keep us posted!

 

[AnitaTee]

I understand what you are saying however my car did not get fixed because my VIN # came through linked to a specific update. My car got done because they broke it by installing the anti-theft update. And that's the point that you have to push on. THEY disabled a working part of your car by THEIR actions. It is also important to stress that it can be fixed by one phone call to my guy John who said he would be happy to speak with your guy. Be insistent on speaking with the Svc Mgr should the woman give you any problem. If she does, ask to speak to the owner of the dealership.