Complaints

This profile includes complaints for Putnam Kia's headquarters and its corporate-owned locations. To view all corporate locations, see Find Local Branches.

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  Putnam Kia

  157 Providence Pike Putnam, CT 06260

• 

  Putnam Kia

  Po Box 643 Putnam, CT 06260

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.

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/22/2025

  Type:Sales and Advertising Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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 went to the dealership yesterday and test drove a vehicle. It was a 2024 ****. The tag on the vehicle said it was $43,000. I got a text today that I was approved. The salesman then calls me and says "even though the stock number on the tag was correct and matched the vehicle, we had the wrong tag in the vehicle and the vehicle is actually $9,000 more". This is AFTER he ran my credit KNOWING they were running me for a price on a vehicle that I didn't agree too. If they were not going to honor the price of the vehicle, they should have contacted me prior to running my credit.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2025

  We apologize for the pricing concern. The correct price is a nationally advertised 10% off **** currently offered as a special. We reviewed this with you and offered you a price below the special looking to make amends. We again apologize for the error, but cannot sell the vehicle for that much of a loss. The advertised price represents a tremendous value, never mind the additional discount we offered you. We are very sorry we made the error.

   

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/22/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

   
  Complaint: 23232602
  
  I am rejecting this response because: 

  I understand that you are sorry that you were unable to fix my vehicle, but that does not change the fact that Ive now paid over $700 for a misdiagnosis. Dealerships charge double the labor cost of regular mechanics, they are supposed to be subject matter experts. Telling me after the fact that no actual diagnostic work was done (despite me being charged for a diagnostic appointment) does not waive the dealerships responsibility for misdiagnosing my vehicle and replacing a part that didnt need replacing. At the very least the labor should be reimbursed. I received a part I didnt need and was charged $700 to still have the exact same problem I began with. Expecting me to throw further money blindly at the problem when the work being done is just guess work, is unreasonable.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* **********

  the touch screen itself which would cost approximately $500 more.I asked if I would be refunded for the misdiagnosis that was made during my previous two visits, which I was already charged $709 for, since it did not fix anything and I clearly never needed a new antenna to begin with. I was informed I would not be refunded any money despite these facts because they didnt actually diagnose anything, we are just following the manufacturers suggestions.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2025

  We are sorry for your concern.

  Please know that we both informed you and documented that the repair made to your vehicle was step one, not necessarily the only step. Please also know that we drove your vehicle a number of miles after this repair was done and as the issue did not re-occur, the hope was that the remedy was made. Unfortunately it did re-occur after you drove it further, requiring the next step to now be taken.

  You are correct in your comment about us following the manufacturer's protocol for recommending and performing repairs. They have designed the vehicle and are aware of mechanical failures/repairs on a large scale versus what we see. For that reason, we absolutely follow their step by step guidance. 

  We again apologize that step one did not remedy the vehicle, and that the issue did not re-occur during our roughly 20 mile test drive with it so we could address this on the spot.

  Thank you

  Business Response

  Date: 04/22/2025

  It was disclosed and documented that the work to be performed was not a guarantee of a resolution and that there may be additional work required. Therefore, this was not a misdiagnosis. 

  With that said, we are sorry the initial work did not resolve your concern. We would be happy to discount the cost of the touchscreen if you would like to pursue that repair.

   

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/23/2025

   
  Complaint: 23232602
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  You put in a new antenna. Did it need a new antenna? No. You guessed wrong. Therefore you misdiagnosed.

  No one walks into a dealership and pays $190/hour for labor for guess work. Refund the labor, bill the manufacturer for giving you bad advice on how to help customers. And youre asking me to continue to give hundreds/thousands of dollars more to you for more parts I probably dont need, after youve admitted you dont even know how to fix the problem? Absolutely not.

  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* **********

• Initial Complaint

  Date:04/01/2025

  Type:Service or Repair Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

   
  Complaint: 23145457
  
  I am rejecting this response because:
  The dealership did not offer to trade me out of my vehicle. The windows and sunroof were not left open. If they were, there would be more damage and water elsewhere than just in the floor fuse box and batteries. The roof is fine. The doors are fine. The seats are fine. It has also been winter. Windows have not been open. We haven't had 6 inches of rain let alone for all that water to end up where it is.
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********expect me to pay for it. I did nothing to cause the damage to this car. My insurance is not covering the damage to this car. There is clearly a leak some where in the vehicle, which would mean that is the fault of the manufacturer. The car is not even 4 years old. I am without a vehicle now as they want to charge me for a loaner. Im paying $860 a month for this car. They are not making good on anything. I would have traded in and even bought another vehicle through them. They won't work with me. I can not pay to fix this vehicle. It is not normal wear and tear.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/01/2025

  As of this moment, we are still working with the customer's insurance company attempting to get the damage covered. To our knowledge, there has been no history of a water leak in this vehicle, nor any sign of a manufacturer's defect. The amount of water found indicates either a window was left open during a storm or possibly some other unknown way in which that much water could enter the vehicle rapidly. It is also our understanding that due to the customer's personal situation, there is not an opportunity to trade them out of it.

  We will continue to work with the insurance company looking to get the customer assistance.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/01/2025

  Please share any additional information regarding your vehicles history that could be helpful in getting your insurance claim approved  with the service department.
  

  Also know the sales department would be happy to look further into trading you out of the vehicle. It would be subject to your vehicles condition, miles, payoff amount and your ability to be approved for bank financing or pay in full. 
  

  Thank you 

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/02/2025

   
  Complaint: 23145457
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  I had already spoken with the sales team about getting into a new vehicle and was told that I could not end my lease early, and that I would have to transfer the $6900 I owe for the rest of the lease into another vehicle loan. And now that includes the "damage" that I did not cause to the vehicle also being wrapped into that as well. If the "damage" is considered "normal wear and tear" then why in my years of leasing have I never had to pay for new tires breaks batteries etc upon trade in. I am not responsible for the manufacturing defects of this leased vehicle. Your claims of how this water got into the vehicle are false. My insurance won't go look at the vehicle because of what you are claiming. I cant trade into a vehicle when the debt you are trying to place on me costs more than a new vehicle would. ** were considering buying the jeep at the end of the lease, but also would have been happy to get a new car through this dealership and was ready to lease or buy something else at the end of the lease. Not only is the financial situation outrageous and impossible, but I can not feel safe ever purchasing a vehicle from you again. This company needs to right this situation and make me whole again. In my 20 years of owning vehicles, every single one of my cars has had a sunroof. Not once have I ever encountered anything like this.
  
  Sincerely,
  
  ******* *********

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/01/2025

  There is a history of this vehicle make having water issues.

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/03/2025

  Here are some more photos of other people having the same problem.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/03/2025

  Please be aware we have continually reached out to the customer's insurance company. At this point, the customer must approve the work required to prove there is an actual water leak and the the water did not enter the vehicle by any other means. When that's done and what's found is provided to the insurance company, they will determine if this is a covered claim or not. The exposure to the customer would be for the cost to do this initial work. At this point, the customer has not given that approval.

  Please also know, we have reached out to the manufacturer to see if there is any involvement they are willing to take despite being out of warranty. As of now, their position is that the vehicle is out of warranty and there is no history of major water leaks associated with this model to lead them to believe the cause of the issue is a defect. Based on all that and the customer's insurance company's directive, the decision lies with the customer as to what is either done or not done next.

  Meanwhile, the customer's husband (I believe) has come to the dealership and caused quite a scene. Swearing and yelling at employees citing "free speech" is not helping in any way. This can not happen again.

  If we receive any further correspondence of value from anyone involved in this matter, we will be happy to send it along.

  Thank you

  Customer Answer

  Date: 04/03/2025

  We have a video taken today on 4/3/25 of the car, sitting at the dealership with the windows closed and sunroof closed, and the inside now filled with water. The service department claimed the floors were dry. If we were causing the water damage, then how is it happening while sitting on the lot? There is a leak somewhere for that to happen.

  Business Response

  Date: 04/04/2025

  The vehicle is sitting on our lot with no activity pending the customer's response to authorizing the work needed required by their insurance company to determine coverage. We did not claim the floors were dry. We haven't even touched it and won't without further authorization from the customer. 

  So, nothing has changed nor will it until we get further instruction. The customer has to decide what is done or not done next. They are welcome to follow up further with their insurance company, but we are at a standstill for now.

   

  Thank you

• Initial Complaint

  Date:10/11/2024

  Type:Product Issues
  Status:

  AnsweredMore info

  Complaint statuses

  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.

   
  Complaint: 22407903
  
  I am rejecting this response because:

  As I have made several attempts to have issues with this vehicle addressed from the moment, I purchased it, and the service department at Putnam was not able to diagnosed ongoing issues. I have reached out to **** directly regarding this vehicle and was hoping that Putnam would work with them as far as the issues pertaining to this vehicle, Though Putnam refuses to step up to the plate. As was the problem with the prior vehicle, I purchased from this dealership, which also had been in multiple times with them being unable to diagnose its issues. I feel as though I am living in a ** ** with this vehicle.

  There are obviously serious problems with this vehicle as was with the other that they continue to not be able to diagnose until Conveniently I am past my warranty..I feel it is unfair to have to pay to have items fixed that are a regular occurrence on a daily basis because they refused to acknowledge theres an issue. 
  

  The only repairs they have made to this current vehicle was a heating module which is a $20 part and they were supposed to replace the computer for the radio screen, and I have questioned if that repair was even made because I had continued to have issues with this vehicle regarding that part. 
  

  As I am sure, I am not the only person to complain about this dealership. Their apparent lack of responsibility for the products that they sell and represent, coupled with the incompetence of their service crew, Makes me question how either one of their dealerships can stay in business. Hopefully, with a few more bad reviews of their service, they will cease to exist. 
  

  It is shameful that a company like this would continue to disrespect a customer like myself who is giving them every opportunity to do the right thing. Perhaps they just do not want to look bad selling somebody two lemons in a row, But for them to have no desire to come to any solution regarding my situation, makes them look worse.

  Sincerely,
  
  ***** ******

  month. I have been paying for a brand new vehicle for five years. I have purchased from this company that have both been riddled with issues from day ********* I spoke with the salesman that had sold me this Current vehicle to ask for his assistance and he was informing me that this dealership has helped me in multiple ways and was saying there was notes on my service report with them that are completely falsified.(i.e. I recently called them to ask them why my vehicle did not come equipped with a spare tire and they told me it was an additional feature, And the salesman told me that they had given me tires that was an absolute lie. I purchased tires at Town fair tire with my money.

  Business Response

  Date: 10/29/2024

  We are sorry for the customers concerns, however have done all we can as a dealership for her. This includes making repairs at no expense to her despite being beyond all warranties. She has continually reached out to employee after employee to badger and berate them hoping to continue to get free repairs. She has also continually demanded we provide her with another vehicle at impossible pricing to accommodate her budget. She alone made the decision to buy each vehicle and is very strong minded in what she decides to do. No one convinced her to to anything contrary to her intent. 

  Despite all this, just recently we still offered her free diagnosis as a courtesy. Before the appointment was made, she told us if we did not again assist her despite being beyond warranty with free repairs, she would contact the BBB. This complaint comes as no surprise. There is also no way based on the physical condition of her current vehicle, mileage on the current vehicle combined with the large payoff on the vehicle, a new transaction meeting her financial demands is possible.

  We wish her well with whatever she decides to do for a vehicle going forward, but am certain any purchase or repairs will not be done through our family of dealerships.

  Thank you