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Business Profile

Car Dealers

Kia Santa Monica

This business is NOT BBB Accredited.

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Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Kia Santa Monica's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see

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Kia Santa Monica has 2 locations, listed below.

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    Customer Complaints Summary

    • 4 total complaints in the last 3 years.
    • 4 complaints closed in the last 12 months.

    If you've experienced an issue

    Submit a Complaint

    The complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. Some consumers may elect to not publish the details of their complaints, some complaints may not meet BBB's standards for publication, or BBB may display a portion of complaints when a high volume is received for a particular business.

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    Complaint status

    Complaint type

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:07/02/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      This communication serves as a formal complaint regarding serious consumer protection violations by Kia Santa Monica, located at 2440 Santa Monica Blvd, Santa Monica, CA *****.On June 28, 2025, the dealership received a 2015 ***************** (VIN: *****************) belonging to Mr. ******* ********, for federally mandated recall service under *** ******** SC269 / TSB ELE273.While the hybrid fuse was replaced, the dealership refused to perform the required 30-second hybrid system re-initialization scan, which is a necessary step to restore vehicle functionality. Instead, the service team demanded over $10,000 in unrelated hybrid battery repairs and refused to release the vehicle, asserting that it was not worth fixing.The dealerships actions constitute multiple legal violations, including:Federal recall law violation under 49 U.S.C. 30120Breach of contract (the dealership issued a service order at $0.00 for recall-related work)Unlawful detention of personal property under California Penal Code 484Deceptive and unfair business practices under California ********************** Code 17200Violation of the California Automotive Repair Act Relief Demanded by End of Business Today Immediate release of the vehicle in operable condition Completion of the required recall service, including the hybrid system re-initialization Written confirmation that all recall work was completed in accordance with federal law and *** protocol at no cost to the client Failure to Comply Will ****** In:Civil litigation seeking actual and punitive damages Complaints to the ************************************** (BAR), California Attorney General, and the ********************************************** (*****)Escalation to ********** AmericaReferrals to the ******************************* (***) and *********************************** (ICE) in the event of any observed or reported employment law. This matter warrants immediate attention.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:04/28/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      On December 28th, 2024 my wife and I purchased a used 2024 ***** Civic Hatchback from *** of Santa Monica for $26,243. The balance of the financing was paid a few weeks after the purchase date. The vehicle at time of purchase had an odometer reading of ****** , and we were told that it had been involved in no accidents. We were given a Carfax report that showed no accidents.On 4/9/25 the vehicle was impacted on the driver's front side and taken for repairs. Inspection by the mechanic at this time revealed previous incomplete and poorly done repairs, some involving duck tape and glue and affecting the impact sensor; my insurance adjuster confirmed that the vehicle had a previous accident reported to their insurance company on June 21st of 2024 that caused significant damages. My insurance adjuster said that this accident should have been on the Carfax report, and that the dealer would have been aware of this damage had the vehicle been inspected.I contacted then dealer and eventually spoke with the General Manager, ****, who refused to do anything whatsoever- even inspect the vehicle. He claims that the vehicle was properly inspected and that they have no responsibility. The estimate on the previous damage was calculated by AW Collision of ******************** amounts to ********* .Ultimately, I would hope to return the vehicle for the purchase price. I have unfortunately also had to accrue car rental fees, since this is our only vehicle and of course would want to be reimbursed if possible.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:03/24/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I purchased a new/used car from *** of Santa Monica on February 7, 2025; the vehicle EV9 was a promotional car driven by the sales manager Ash, upon completion of the sales transaction of the car, we noticed that one key for the car was missing, which there should be two keys. The explanation for the missing key was that they were a new dealership and just moved into the current building and that the key could not be found after looking for it and a replacement key would be sent to me in exchange for the missing one. To this date, I have yet to receive a new key, and I have made several attempts to contact the dealership to get a resolution for the key, with no success, I have several attempts to talk to the sales manager Ash, but he has refused to return my call, after being passed and given the message of me calling by several of the floor sale staff. I have remained very professional with the dealership and its service staff since the purchase of the car. I have only tried to make contact with Ash to get the second key per our conversation and purchase of the car, and I am only seeking a replacement key or a reimbursement for the cost of the missing key.

    • Initial Complaint

      Date:01/15/2025

      Type:Service or Repair Issues
      Status:
      Unanswered
      Resolved:
      The complainant verified the issue was resolved to their satisfaction.
      Unresolved:
      The business responded to the dispute but failed to make a good faith effort to resolve it.
      Answered:
      The business addressed the issues within the complaint, but the consumer either a) did not accept the response, OR b) did not notify BBB as to their satisfaction.
      Unanswered:
      The business failed to respond to the dispute.
      Unpursuable:
      BBB is unable to locate the business.
      I bought my used ***** Y three months ago in 10/6/2024. **** ****** the sales manager printed attached form saying this car has no issues. We just paid for full checking.. they gave me the attached form to fix one of the broken door speaker mesh signed by the finance guy.. between the part is back order, services or used car manager will contact you or even part was ordered, but nothing happened, I contacted ***** who is branch manager, **** ******, ***** from sales, and services but the only option they offered last week was to fix the speaker mesh unprofessionally by a contractor without replacing any part. ***** said I have to replace the door panel as the mesh is built-in the panel which costs $800. Also, I reported a driver door locker issue to **** the first day and had to push the door every time to get out of the car which is a safety issue.

    Kia Santa Monica is NOT a BBB Accredited Business.

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