Subaru Dealer Says In Its IG Post, “We Bought a Kia and the Engine Blew Before We Made It Home”

Do Kia engines fail prematurely? According to a Subaru dealer in Tennessee, they say yes, Kia engines don't last. Or is it all a hoax?

Why not have some fun at Kia's expense?

So, you don't think there's an intense rivalry between car brands and car dealers? After you read this story, you'll know just how fierce the conflict is between Subaru and Kia. This rivalry is not just about sales numbers but also about the reliability and performance of their vehicles.  

Some Subaru dealer employees in Tennessee had some spare time and decided to have some fun. On Waltrip Subaru's TikTok and Instagram page, they posted a video that now has 55,000 views. 

The short video shows a Subaru Forester, a symbol of the automaker's reliability, and then has five Darrell Waltrip Subaru employees saying, "Should have bought a Subaru." They scatter after looking shocked as if they hear a car engine blowing up, and this appears on the screen. This video is a playful jab at Kia's engine reliability, suggesting that a Subaru would have been a better choice. 

The video says, "We bought a Kia, and the engine blew before we made it home."

Were the Subaru workers serious?

The video is a hoax, and the employees wanted to have fun at Kia's expense. What better way to pass the time on a slow November day in Subaru land?  

It's a fierce rivalry. 

Darrell Waltrip Subaru is located at 1450 Murfreesboro Rd in Franklin, Tennessee, and Greenway Kia of Franklin is at 1413 Murfreesboro Rd. You guessed it, the Kia dealer is right across the street from the Subaru store. 

The Kia vehicle that is supposed to have a blown engine is not shown in the six-second video clip, so it's safe to assume the video is to poke a little fun at its neighbors across the street. They may have even been watching the Subaru crew. 

So, here is the debate.

Are Subaru vehicles better than Kia models? Does Kia have a problem with its engines?

According to a report from Norman Taylor, attorneys who have represented Kia owners with engine problems, some Kia engines have had serious issues and complaints from owners. 

Kia and Hyundai: 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter four-cylinder engines.

The report says, "Hyundai and its sister company, Kia, have faced significant challenges with their 2.0-L and 2.4-L four-cylinder engines. These engines have been known to spontaneously seize, leading to potential engine failure."

"The problem arises from metallic debris left behind during manufacturing, which restricts oil flow to connecting rod bearings, causing them to wear and fail. This issue has resulted in a recall of 1.4 million cars and SUVs and has affected various models, including the Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Sonata, and the Kia Optima and Sportage."

A recent engine failure lawsuit against Kia was settled and said, "The Parties have reached a voluntary settlement in order to avoid lengthy litigation and thereby provide relief to Class Members. People who owned or leased Class Vehicles referred to as "Class Members," might be entitled to compensation if they submit valid and timely Claims."

The lawsuit settlement agreement covered customers who bought or leased certain 2006-2021 Kia vehicles. 

The lawsuit alleged, "These Kia vehicles were manufactured, marketed, sold, and leased with a defect in their Anti-Lock Brake System ("ABS") control modules (also referred to as a Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit or "HECU") that can result in engine compartment fires and the loss of ABS functionality."

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) says, "The anti-lock brake control module can leak fluid and cause an electrical short, which can touch off a fire while the vehicles are parked or being driven."

The NHTSA report revealed that Kia recalled nearly 3.4 million vehicles last year "due to the risk of engine compartment fires."

It's important to note that Kia fixed the issue at no cost to owners under the recall program. 

An Associated Press report also noted that Kia had to issue fire-related recalls in the past. "The automakers have recalled more than 9.2 million vehicles for fires and engine problems, not including the recalls announced" in 2023.

I covered this report from Consumer Reports that says to avoid the Kia Sorento and buy the Subaru Ascent instead. You can read my report here for more information.

Consumer Reports said, "The conventional version of the Kia Sorento performed very well in our road tests, but it has fallen to the bottom of our midsized three-row SUV ratings because of its well-below-average predicted reliability." 

Consumer Reports ranks the 2024 Kia Sorento 47/100 for predicted reliability and 2/5 for predicted owner satisfaction. The Kia is ranked #18 out of 24 Midsized 3-Row SUVs. 

How does Kia's reliability rank with the top mainstream car brands?

Here are the top ten mainstream automakers ranked by Consumer Reports for reliability. 

1. Toyota 72
2. Mazda 59 
3. Honda 55
4. Subaru 46
5. Nissan 45
6. Volkswagen 41
7. Hyundai 38
8. Chevrolet 38
9. Kia 38
10. Ford 36

As you can see, Kia ranks near the bottom. Subaru is fourth from the top. 

CR says, "Our data consistently shows over time that cars from these brands are reliable when new, and they continue to be reliable as they age."

Check out my Subaru Vs. Kia report. 

Subaru was the original off-road SUV brand, but the competition is catching on and copying Subaru. Check out the Kia Telluride X-Pro vs. Subaru Forester Wilderness off-road test from Edmunds. Check out my report here to see which one is a pavement princess.

Here are some viewer comments from the Waltrip Subaru's TikTok post. 

• Carter James - That is bold coming from Subie.
• sonatamonroll - On the bright side, Kia covered the engine 100%, unlike Subaru with the head gaskets.
• ℭ𝔬𝔟𝔞𝔩𝔱 - I have a Subaru. I love it, but reliability is not its strength.
• Ashley Burns: As a past Kia owner, you're lucky if you make it home. 😂☠️
• gattsu_frosty - I've only blown one Subaru motor 😤 and it wasn't even a turbo one; my 200 WRX tho? Running strong thanks to proper maintenance.

We'll see who wins in the battle between Darrell Waltrip Subaru and Greenway Kia of Franklin. I'll keep an eye on this one and let you know. Stay tuned. 

Have you owned a Kia, and have you experienced any engine problems? If so, click the red Add New Comment link below and let us know.

I am Denis Flierl, a Senior Torque News Reporter since 2012. My 30+ year tenure in the automotive industry, initially in a consulting role with every major car brand and later as a freelance journalist test-driving new vehicles, has equipped me with a wealth of knowledge. I specialize in reporting the latest automotive news and providing expert analysis on Subaru, which you'll find here, ensuring that you, as a reader, are always well-informed and up-to-date. Follow me on my X SubaruReport, All Subaru, WRXSTI, @DenisFlierl, Facebook, and Instagram.

Photo credit: Denis Flierl via Darrell Waltrip Subaru