kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues

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Fri 11 Nov 2016 13:58
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - eustace

On another thread, a fellow back roomer made the comment that the Kia Ceed has issues with rotting front sub frames.

See thread link below.

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/forum/post/index.htm?t=116554

I would like to get more opinions on how wide spread this problem is, as the Ceed is one of the cars I am considering purchasing.

On searching for this issue on the Internet, I could not find any other references to this problem in UK.

However the Hyundai Elantras / Sonatas seems to be affected by this in the U.S.

and there has even been a couple of recalls regarding this.

www.hyundai-forums.com/nf-2006-2010-sonata/198433-...l

The above link provides pictures and information about rusted sub frames, for the Hyndai Sonata in the U.S.

I believe there were several rust related recalls by Hyundai in the U.S.

www.edmunds.com/car-news/hyundai-recalls-239000-ca...l

Above link provides information about Hyundai Sonata corrosion recall in the U.S.

Any one is aware of this issue in the U.K. for the hyundai's / Kia's?

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Fri 11 Nov 2016 15:49
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - skidpan

We had a Ceed for 5 years and there was no sign of any corrosion anywhere on the car. I only did quick visual checks on the underside but compared to some makes the paint on the sub frames and suspension components looked excellent.

But since the Ceed has on been on sale for 9 years and comes with a 12 year anti corrosion warranty any issues should be sorted FOC. But to keep the cover intact the car needs an an annual inspection by an official Kia dealer and the service book stamped in the relevant section at the back and noted on the service paperwork. The cover is free when you have a service carried out at a Kia dealer but any car that has been serviced outside the Kia network or not serviced at all will probably no longer be covered. Dealers charge about £50 on average for the inspection if carried out as a one off.

All I can say is the Ceed is an excellent car in its market segement but just make sure that you get one that has been serviced regularly at a Kia dealer and don't forget to ask for the invoices. Kia clearly state that stamps in the book are insufficient proof work ahs been carried out.

No stamps and invoices run away. There are plenty out there with all the right documentation.

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Fri 11 Nov 2016 22:36
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - SLO76
I'm basing it on experience from 22 years in the motor trade as a salesman and home trader. I've seen plenty of early Cee'd's which were bodily sound but had heavy corrosion on the front subframe. In fact I was recently offered a 2009 Cee'd Estate that was showing heavy corrosion underneath. It does mitigate it slightly when I live in a coastal town in Scotland but there's no denying they're deteriorating more rapidly than the equivalent Astra or Golf. Otherwise a hassle free prospect and if you live in the sunny south without our salt saturated iced up roads in winter you'll find it less of a worry. But just make sure you cast an eye underneath before buying. If it looks ok and the car has been mechanically looked after with a full history there's no reason not to buy one.
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Sat 12 Nov 2016 10:15
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - eustace

Thanks SLO76, for your inputs. Always good to know more.

There was a discussion on this forum some time ago, about probability of corrosion in cars, kept in coastal areas.

At that time the opinion was that, though coastal areas are exposed to more salty air, there is less likelihood for snow on the winter. So there is less chance of road salt being used, and hence car is exposed to less road salt.

While in inland areas, more chance of frozen roads in winter, hence car is exposed to more road salt.

I suppose in coastal areas of Scotland, the car is exposed to both.

Anyway a shame that the Ceed doesn't have the same amount oif corrosion protection, compared to the Golfs / Astras

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 10:52
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - eustace

SLO76, do used car dealers normally do such a thorough check, such as checking the subframes, etc, before offering a car for sale. Or is it you going the extra mile?

If all used car dealers do such a check, that's a good reason to buy a used car from a dealer, rather than privately.

I assume to check the underside of the car, you need to get the car on a ramp, or on a car jack / lift.

Also what do you do if a customer wants to part-ex a car that has significant sub frame corrosion? I assume that the body shop repair needed to set it right will involve significant cost, particulalrly if the rotted part needs to be cut through, and another piece needs to be welded in place.

Would you decline to take such a car from a customer, or would you take it and then send it to auction. Or alternatively would you take it at a price that reflects the repairs required, and attempt to get it fixed?

Sorry if I am asking you to reveal the tricks of the trade. :-)

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 13:40
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - skidpan

eustace

Instead of listening to one poster who appears to have a grudge against Kia I suggest you go to

www.kiaownersclub.co.uk/forum/

join the forum and ask about rust in Ceeds. You will get a much better view of any issues than the relying on the gripes of a solitary poster.

As I said in the other thread the Ceed has a 12 year rust warranty so provided the pervious owner has had the annual checks carried out (free with a service) any problem would be sorted.

Only buy a car with a full history and receipts to prove it, service books prove nothing.

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 15:47
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - Mike H

Instead of listening to one poster who appears to have a grudge against Kia

Not sure that stating facts amounts to griping! Looked a perfectly objective post to me, I read it a couple of times to make sure :-)

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 21:19
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - SLO76

eustace

Instead of listening to one poster who appears to have a grudge against Kia I suggest you go to

www.kiaownersclub.co.uk/forum/

join the forum and ask about rust in Ceeds. You will get a much better view of any issues than the relying on the gripes of a solitary poster.

As I said in the other thread the Ceed has a 12 year rust warranty so provided the pervious owner has had the annual checks carried out (free with a service) any problem would be sorted.

Only buy a car with a full history and receipts to prove it, service books prove nothing.

No grudge what so ever. In fact I often recommend Kia and Hyundai. Recently bought a nice wee Kia Picanto for a punter. I'm just pointing out a weakness I've noted after looking at dozens and dozens of the things. They're still good cars that I'd happily run myself. Anti corrosion warranty doesn't cover suspension components or sub frames etc. It covers the bodywork and is next to impossible to claim on since it has to rust from the inside out.

Edited by SLO76 on 12/11/2016 at 21:21

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 21:16
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - SLO76
Sorry for the delay, just back from the Classic Car Show at the NEC. Some cracking old metal there, loads of 90's modern classics I sold by the bucket in the day.

As for checking for corrosion. Well most dealers and sales staff won't even lift the bonnet or get down on their knees and look under a car, so the answer to that question is no. It certainly wasn't something many of our staff did. It should be picked up on a pre delivery check at the workshop. I didn't like getting caught out with a rotten trade in so I was a little more thorough.

Later as a home trader with my own money and reputation on the line and since I mainly sell older budget cars I check them thoroughly before buying. No need for a ramp, just get down on your hunkers and look.

On a further note, had a call from an old punter earlier who bought a Fiat Punto from another local trader a few months back without asking me or anyone else to look it over first. Tells me the car's "chassis has spit."

Nipped over to take a look only to find a front near side wishbone that had snapped thanks to excessive corrosion. It had only recently passed an Mot through said trader, an Mot it should never have passed. I sold her an old Passat I took as a part ex that should serve her better.

Moral of the story, take someone that knows what they're doing with you, even if you've got to pay them. I do this for free if they've got a trade in I'd want to buy then I better the trade in price and help them negotiate a discount as well as checking over their prospective purchase and advising on the cheapest way to finance it. They win, I win and dealer is happy to make a sale.



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Sat 12 Nov 2016 22:12
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - eustace

Thanks for your reply and all your advise, SLO76. Looks like you are providing an excellent service. Wish I knew of people like you, in the south London area. :-)

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Sat 12 Nov 2016 22:30
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - SLO76

Thanks for your reply and all your advise, SLO76. Looks like you are providing an excellent service. Wish I knew of people like you, in the south London area. :-)

Wee bit too far for me sadly or I'd be happy to help. Took me 5hrs to get down to Birmingham today but it was a pleasant drive with no hold ups.
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Sat 12 Nov 2016 23:51
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - Avant

Many thanks for this and all your advice given to posters on the forum, SLO76. It's good to have a professional dealer willing to help in this way: most of us are amateurs giving our opinions which we hope may be useful.

I agree - no evidence of any grudge, but you're absolutely right to 'tell it as you find it'.

Was SLO 76 your first car number? (London, circa 1956)

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Sun 13 Nov 2016 00:20
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - SLO76

Many thanks for this and all your advice given to posters on the forum, SLO76. It's good to have a professional dealer willing to help in this way: most of us are amateurs giving our opinions which we hope may be useful.

I agree - no evidence of any grudge, but you're absolutely right to 'tell it as you find it'.

Was SLO 76 your first car number? (London, circa 1956)

I'm not that old! Though the only reg no I remember without having to look at a V5 is F526 BVP which was my first car, a truly terrible MG Metro that had been through half a dozen hedges before I laid my hands on it. Happy to help in any way.

Edited by SLO76 on 13/11/2016 at 00:22

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Thu 13 Feb 2020 13:46
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - carinterest

Kia have a 'product improvement' campaign in place where they're changing front subframes for free when required.

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Thu 13 Feb 2020 13:53
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - Engineer Andy

Kia have a 'product improvement' campaign in place where they're changing front subframes for free when required.

That must very expensive, given how much work doing so must entail. It rather indicates that it only affects a very small number of vehicles.

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Thu 13 Feb 2020 15:54
kia ceed - corrosion / sub frame issues - thunderbird

Kia have a 'product improvement' campaign in place where they're changing front subframes for free when required.

Read a post by a chap recently regarding Ceed subframes. His 2009 Ceed had failed its MOT and the non-Kia garage who did the test told him to scrap it. He bought a used subframe from a later Ceed which apparantly fitted fine once non-required brackets had been removed and the car then passed its test.

A few weeks later he took the car to his Kia dealer to have rust repairs carried out to the rear doors under warranty. He told them about the sub-frame and they informed him about the "campaign" to replace rusty subframes. But since his had been done and passed its MOT they would not do it again or reimburse him. He was fuming about Kia and their attitude but who can blame them, the car was fine at the time he was at the dealer.

But I also suspect that the MOT garage were hoping he would sell the car to them and they would then get the free fix done and sell the car on at a large profit.

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