DEAR SUZANNE
By Suzanne Henderson
LETTER 215 – From Kevin S. from Baltimore, MD
Dear Suzanne,
I hope you’re doing well because my car troubles have me feeling anything but. What started as excitement over a new car my dad gifted me has turned into anxiety, frustration, and way too much time spent Googling what’s wrong. Every day seems to bring a new issue, and I feel like I have nowhere else to turn.
A Questionable Gift
In 2021, my dad surprised me with a brand-new 2022 Kia Carnival as a wedding gift. He said it was perfect since I was about to start a family. Sweet, right? I thought so too—until the problems started.
Not long after getting the car, I did some research and found out this model is notorious for unexpected failures. Almost on cue, at just 4,000 miles, the car began vibrating excessively when idling or driving under 30 mph, especially in the steering wheel and accelerator. I mentioned it to my dad, but he brushed it off. At least my mom agreed it seemed off.
Since the car was registered in my name, I took it to the Kia dealership myself. They kept it for two days and then told me the tires were unbalanced, and the wheel bearings were already worn out. That seemed way too soon for those kinds of issues, but they replaced the bearings and realigned the wheels.
Mold and a Leaky Sunroof
My wife loves nighttime drives, especially with the sunroof open. Turns out, that sunroof was more like Pandora’s box—once opened, it never fully shut again. Unfortunately, we didn’t realize this right away.
While we were out of town, a leak in our garage dripped water onto the car. When we got back, we found mold spreading across the leather seats. At first, I was confused—the sunroof had been shut. But after checking, I realized there was a tiny gap, even when it looked fully closed.
The dealership initially blamed us, but when they tried closing it themselves, they saw the issue firsthand. They found the problem was a faulty electrical switch and a broken sunroof seal. As for the mold, they agreed to take care of it since it wasn’t our fault. A week later, I got my Kia back.
The Dealership’s Mistake Ruined My Engine
The last time I went in for routine maintenance, I never imagined it would lead to an even bigger disaster.
I had noticed my coolant levels were low, so I took the car in for a scheduled check-up. Everything seemed fine when I got it back. But a couple of days later, smoke started coming from the exhaust, followed by a low oil-pressure warning. Before I could take it back, the symptoms disappeared. The next morning, the check engine light started flashing, and the car suddenly lost power on the freeway.
When I called the dealership, they told me to book an appointment—unless it was an “urgent issue.” Apparently, losing power at highway speeds didn’t qualify. The next day, my temperature gauge spiked into the danger zone, so I ignored their appointment talk and drove straight there. At first, they tried turning me away, but when they saw the condition of my car, they took it in immediately.
After inspecting it, they found that during my last maintenance visit, they had put in the wrong coolant, causing a chemical reaction that damaged the engine. They drained it, but the damage was irreversible—I needed a full engine replacement.
If only they had listened to me earlier. Now, I’m stuck without a car, waiting for a replacement engine. I’m just trying to get through this without losing my mind.
What Are My Options?
Thanks for listening. If you have any advice, I’d really appreciate it. Also, I have a few questions about Maryland’s Lemon Law:
- Do I get to choose whether I keep the car or not?
- What kind of compensation can I expect if I file a claim?
- Can I pursue a claim without hiring an attorney?
Looking forward to your thoughts.
Kevin S. from Baltimore, MD
Mold, Engine Failure, and Dealer Negligence—Your 2022 Kia Carnival May Qualify as a Lemon
Dear Kevin,
First, let me acknowledge how aggravating your experience with your 2022 Kia Carnival has been. It was meant to be a thoughtful gift from your father, but instead, it has turned into a complete nightmare. The mold, the engine failure, and dealer negligence all point to a vehicle that has failed to live up to any reasonable expectations of reliability.
I know how frustrating this must be for you, and I appreciate you reaching out. Dealing with a car that keeps breaking down is exhausting, especially when the dealership doesn’t take your concerns seriously. The good news is that Maryland’s Lemon Law may offer you a way out. Let’s go over your questions one by one so you can understand your options.
Do I Get to Choose Whether to Keep the Car or Not?
Under Maryland’s Lemon Law, if your vehicle qualifies as a lemon, you typically have two main options: a full refund (buyback) or a replacement vehicle. You don’t have to keep the car if you don’t want to. If the manufacturer agrees your car is a lemon, they must either buy it back or replace it. Since you’ve already experienced multiple major defects, including an engine failure caused by the dealership’s negligence, you may be eligible for a buyback.
If you prefer, you can also negotiate a cash settlement instead of a replacement or refund. Some car owners choose this if they’d rather sell the car on their own or put the money toward a different vehicle.
What Kind of Compensation Can I Expect If I File a Claim?
If your Kia qualifies as a lemon, you could receive a full refund of your purchase price, including taxes, registration fees, and any finance charges. However, Maryland does allow the manufacturer to deduct a small amount based on how many miles you drove before the first repair attempt. This is calculated using a formula: (miles driven before the first repair) ÷ 100,000 × purchase price.
Since your first repair happened at around 4,000 miles, the deduction should be relatively small. You may also be entitled to reimbursement for towing fees and other out-of-pocket expenses related to the car’s defects.
Can I Still File a Claim Without Hiring an Attorney?
Technically, yes, but having an attorney makes a huge difference. The process isn’t as simple as just telling the manufacturer your car is a lemon and expecting them to pay up. Many manufacturers push back against claims, delay responses, or try to lowball you. A Lemon Law attorney knows how to handle these tactics and can fight for the best possible outcome.
Most Lemon Law attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means you don’t pay anything upfront. If you win your case, the manufacturer is required to cover your legal fees. Since there’s no financial risk to you, it’s worth getting professional help to make sure you get what you deserve.
What Should I Do Next?
The next step would be to consult with an experienced Maryland Lemon Law attorney. They can review your case, confirm whether your car qualifies, and guide you through the process. Since time limits apply, it’s best to act quickly so you don’t miss your chance to file a claim.
Now, John, I know it’s been a tough road, but you don’t have to go through this alone. With the Maryland Lemon Law, you have the opportunity to get your money back through a buyback or vehicle replacement. Either way, you’ll be able to get the help you need, so hang in there, and feel free to reach out if you need further clarification. You’ve got this!
Suzanne
Consult with a 2022 Kia Carnival Lemon Law Attorney Today!
Dear reader, are your vehicle problems ruining your life? Confused about what legal route to take? We’re here to help! Find information about Texas’ lemon law protections here, fill out the form on this page, or give us a call at (833) 743-1990 to discuss your situation with someone who understands how frustrating it can be to have a lemon car, and what to do about it.
DEAR SUZANNE is a weekly column written by Suzanne Henderson and published in LemonLawyers.ORG. If you have a defective lemon vehicle and have questions about Maryland Lemon Lawyer or how to file a claim, please write to [email protected]. While not guaranteed, we will try to feature your letter in this column to provide you the answers you need, as well as enlighten other consumers who may have lemon problems similar to yours.
Disclaimer: Suzanne Henderson is not a lawyer and the points discussed here are intended for general information and reference purposes only and not to be construed as legal advice. Please consult a Maryland Lemon Law Attorney to get proper legal advice about your lemon law claim.
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Featured Images:
- 2022 Kia Carnival ©Benespit (CC BY-SA 4.0)
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