2020 Kia Optima problems
The Kia K5, formerly known as the Kia Optima (Korean: 기아 옵티마), is a mid-size car manufactured by Kia since 2000 and marketed globally through various nameplates. First generation cars were mostly marketed as the Optima, although the Kia Magentis name was used in Europe and Canada when sales began there in 2002. For the second-generation models, Kia used the Kia Lotze and Kia K5 name for the South Korean market, and the Magentis name globally, except in the United States, Canada, Malaysia and the Middle East, where the Optima name was retained until the 2021 model year. The K5 name is used for all markets since the introduction of the fifth generation in 2019.
First generation (MS; 2000)
From 2000–2005, Optimas were a rebadged variant of the Hyundai Sonata, differing from the Sonata only in minor exterior styling details and equipment content. It was first shown in South Korea in July 2000 and was the first product of the Kia-Hyundai platform integration plan.
In Australia, the Optima was introduced in May 2001, offered only with a 2.5 L V6 engine, and choice of manual or automatic transmission. The updated Optima was offered with a new 2.7 L engine, 4-speed automatic (the manual was dropped), and features such as full leather interior and alloy wheels were made standard. Thanks in part to better marketing, sales increased to 41,289 units in 2005, an all-time high. The Optima was sold until 2006, when it was replaced by the Magentis.
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Common 2020 Kia Optima problems
Based on complaints from owners of the Kia Optima 2020, several common problems have been reported:
- Faulty Throttle Position Switch (TPS):
- Some Kia Optima models may experience issues with the throttle position switch, leading to symptoms like the check engine light illuminating, misfiring, and power loss. This problem tends to occur after crossing the 100,000-mile mark and can be addressed by replacing the faulty TPS.
- Transmission Issues:
- Certain model years of the Kia Optima might encounter problems with the transmission control module, resulting in abnormal shifting. Kia has issued software updates to address this issue, especially in newer models, making it a relatively easily fixable problem.
These common problems reported by Kia Optima 2020 owners highlight issues related to door locks, throttle position switches, and transmission control modules. Addressing these concerns promptly can help maintain the optimal performance and reliability of the vehicle.
Is a 2020 Kia Optima reliable?
How Reliable Is the 2020 Kia Optima? The 2020 Kia Optima has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100. A J.D. Power predicted reliability score of 91-100 is considered the Best, 81-90 is Great, 70-80 is Average, and 0-69 is Fair and considered below average.
What is the common issue with Kia Optima?
Kia Optima Engine Problems
Over the years, the Kia Optima has been reported to have severe engine manufacturing and failure issues that may be causing its bearings to wear prematurely. In some cases, premature bearing wear and tear can trigger uncontrollable engine seizing, increasing the risk of causing an accident.
Is there a recall on 2020 Kia Optima?
There are currently no recorded recalls for this car. If you believe your car has a safety defect, but hasn't been recalled, please check up with your local dealer or service center.
What year Kia Optimas have engine problems?
The Worst Years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014 are undoubtedly the worst Kia Optima years you should avoid at any cost. The 2011 Kia Optima year was notably afflicted with engine, transmission, and exterior lighting issues.
2020 Kia Optima car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Kia Optima problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Service brakes problems
- Power train problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2020 Kia Optima vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2020 Kia Optima
The NHTSA has received 64 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2020 Kia Optima. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2020 Kia Optima vehicles.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-10
- VIN: 5XXGT4L35LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: Was on highway going 65, check engine light started flashing loss power. Couldn't go over 2000 rpms car would struggle to accelerate, car had been using up oil like crazy the week before. Stopped at an autozone car read code P1326.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-07
- VIN: 5XXGT4L31LG
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving approximately 45 MPH, and depressing the accelerator pedal, the check engine light was flashing. The contact stated that the accelerator pedal was being depressed; however, the vehicle failed to respond as needed. The contact pulled over, turned off the vehicle, and had the vehicle towed to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The mechanic retrieved DTC code: P1326; and notified the contact that the vehicle had experienced engine failure. The contact stated that prior to the engine failure, one quart of engine oil was being added weekly. The contact called a dealer however, the Service Manager had not returned the call. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 117,000.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-12
- VIN: 5XXGT4L34LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: I started having clicking sound in engine around 50k miles . Then my check engine light came on and my engine has been using so much oil. I have to get an additional 3 quarts in between oil changes. The clicking sound is getting louder and my car is now having issues accelerating. . My engine is failing and I bought this car brand new and have regularly maintained it .
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-18
- VIN: 5XXGT4L35LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Car has been excessively consuming oil for the past year. Black smoke blowing out of exhaust pipe. Engine siezed up which almost caused an accident, had to veer off the road to keep from causing myself and the other party harm. Kia is stating no recall but there is tons of motors having this same issue. The actual motor in car is a 2019 model engine.inspected by Kia dealership with no help stating out of warranty even though this has been going on for over a year.
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: 5XXGT4L3XLG
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, AIR
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the passenger's front caliper bolt fractured. The contact stated that the vehicle was undriveable. The vehicle was towed to the residence. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired by an independent mechanic or the dealer. The contact stated that the OEM bolt had fractured while the brake pads were being replaced. The OEM bolt was replaced with an aftermarket bolt that was purchased from Auto Zone. The aftermarket replacement bolt was manufactured by Carquest; Part Number: H803. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 91,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-06
- VIN: 5XXGT4L34LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I purchased my car used in 2022. It had a metal clanking noise in the engine. I took it to KIA they said there was no recall open for them to check it. The sound is getting worse and the engine is now burning oil but KIA won’t do anything unless I pay them $1,200 to clean the heads and another $187 an hour to scope the engine. This has been a problem since I purchased the car and I am sure it has to do with the engine recall but they refuse to fix it or look at it. I have had regular oil changes and maintenance done at appropriate intervals.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-29
- VIN: 5XXGT4L30LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving in the freeway to my girlfriends house and suddenly my check engine light came on and started flashing, I got off the freeway as soon as I could and parked to check what was wrong and while driving to park I noticed I couldn’t accelerate past 2000 RPM and when shifting my car was skipping and it felt like gas wasn’t getting to the engine. I checked my oil levels and they were at normal levels, the battery was fine, and the car was turning on without a problem. I ran a diagnostics code and it came up with the P13-26 Code
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-13
- VIN: 5XXGT4L38LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Oil leaking at drain pan and won’t come out.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-26
- VIN: 5XXGT4L30LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: While traveling on the highway at the stated rate of speed between 65-75 mph, my vehicle experienced what I described as a downward surge causing the vehicle to suddenly lose speed immediately followed by a consistent blinking engine light. Fortunately, I was in the slow lane and there wasn't a vehicle behind me, or I could have been rear ended. I tried to accelerate; however, the engine acted as if it was choking. I backed off acceleration and allowed the engine to pick up speed on its own. Fortunately, I was almost home and stopped by the Auto Zone in my neighborhood and they attached the device that will generate the code. The code generated P1326 which points toward the knock sensor. KIA need to address this issue and be made to correct these dangerous issues before someone is in a major accident where they may find themselves in a lot of traffic. In my research, I have found numerous complaints regarding this issue and consumers not receiving restitution or taking 3-4 months waiting for their vehicle to be repaired. We hope you will be able to assist in getting KIA to review these motor issues. Thank you for your time and consideration.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-29
- VIN: 5XXGT4L37LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: June 29th I was driving home and car suddenly went into limp mode. Had this car less than 2 yrs. I'm the second owner so I don't have 100,000 engine warranty. Its at 91 000 miles. Gets maintained regularly. But the cart consumes a lot of oil and after I google and read all about P1326, i find out there is a campaign by kia fixing these engines. Unfortunately my make and model, even tho same engines didn't make the cut. From the list of complaints from people online seems to me that there will be more legal action taken. These are the same crappy engines. I will never nor let anybody I know by a Kia/Hayandai ever again, if I can help it.
POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-08
- VIN: 5XXGT4L35LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE
- Summary: Leased this Kia by force from rightway auto here in Indianapolis in. Had for about 1 1/2. First notice after filling up my tank gas was depleted within 3 days on driving 12 miles to and from work in town. Then oil start disappearing a week after oil changes. .around Jan 8,2024. Check engine light start flashing driving the highway to work. Speed jumped down to 45. Engine start shaking if I tried to go faster. Got a engine light scan says needs knock sensor. Had it replaced. 6 months later. Car did the same thing. Same code. Knock sensor. Had it re replaced. 3 hours later car did the same thing. Each time while driving the highway almost got me rear ended. On June 27,2024 took it to ray skillman dealership. Found out knock sensor needed to be replaced again, this time along with plugs n worse apparently knock sensor throwed off spark plugs. Was told it's consuming a lot of oil they don't know why cause there's no leaks. Spent over 800 at the dealership. After paying 320. Replace part. Then another 140. Replace that replaced part. Less than a week after spending 800 at the dealership. [XXX].on my way to work my car did the same thing driving on the highway where the speed limit I think is 70. Cars flying. And almost got rear ended again. Cause the speed of the car dropped to 45, engine light start flashing. Car started shaking.. so again I'm out of a car cause it has to go back to the dealership. Not enough money for lift to work n home. About to lose my job. Just paid my car note on the 23 of june at 700 plus insurance 175.. 1300 for rent. And a minimum wage paying job at the airport. Apparently the 5 yr warranty on the car is up when I just reached 10000 miles . And I only had this car for less than 2 years I think it had 90 something thousand miles on it when I got it..i guess the makers of this car knew this trash would only last 5 yrs . reason why it came with a 5 yr manufacturer warranty Can someone please help. We the people are out of money. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-01-03
- VIN: 5XXGT4L35LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Cat consumes excessive oil. Smokes.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-04
- VIN: 5XXGT4L36LG
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: I was stopped at a red light and the car stayed on but just stopped working. I had to wait for it to reset itself, or at least that was what it felt like it was doing. I got the oil changed in it the next day and about three weeks later the low oil light has come back on.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-05-24
- VIN: 5XXGT4L33LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Oil consumption is absurd. 5 quarts in 2k miles.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-19
- VIN: 5XXGT4L34LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: On April 19 of this year I was driving on the freeway and I noticed my car was losing power and my engine light came on and I quickly had to merge over to the emergency lane while my car was jerking back and fourth and making a knocking sound. I’ve only had the car for about 5 years and I took it to the dealership and explained to them that my oil would burn faster now and I think it was messing up my engine but they didn’t care. They said I need a new engine now and it’s going to cost me $6200 to fix and I’m still financing on this car.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-04-08
- VIN: 5XXGT4L3XLG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Unknown all I know is my check engine light came on . And was told from O’Reillys that my knock sensor was bad. And I have warranty so I reached out to you guys but still haven’t got a call back
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-01
- VIN: 5XXGT4L39LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Engine is burning 1-2 quarts of oil per week. I work from home so it only get driven once or twice a week max. I’m still making payments on a car that is unsafe to drive, eating oil, and running potential for the engine to lock up due to it being the exact same engine with the exact same issues as what is in prior years but for some reason to 2020 was not included in the recall. I am a single mother of 4 and can’t afford to put thousands of dollars worth of work into this car, that’s why I bought newer for reliability and I can’t even confidently put my kids in this car and am stuck with it for another 4 years. Kia needs to address this!!
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-02-21
- VIN: 5XXGT4L35LG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: I need an immobilizer installed on my car so I will be able to get insurance. Please recall these vehicles. This problem is because something wasn't installed on the car that it needs. PLEASE help us.
STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-21
- VIN: 5XXGT4L34LG
- Components: STEERING,POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: This is my 3rd or 4th complaint on here with NO RESPONSE, HELP, OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT! My 2020 finally got engine put in and car does not drive the same. Steering wheel acts weird, the engine has a sound, the anti collision lights went off twice, but could be due to weather. Kia told me that it's my responsibility since my yr is not on recall. I'm surrendering this car asap to give me piece of mind before another engine is due. I met several people at kia that are on their 2nd and 3rd engine and the mechanics told me they know I will be back for another engine! This is wrong and now I'm out of alot of money and surrendering this will add more negative factors. I have my receipts but im not posting publicly
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-02-15
- VIN: 5XXGT4L37LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was driving my car and all of sudden it lost power. It would not go over 25-30 miles an hour. Then a loud, banging or knocking sound started. It has not been driven now for almost a year because of the knocking sound and no power. I’m paying for a car that does not work and to no fault of mine. It seems to match the other recall complaints but mine isn’t covered? This seems to be really unfair. If it is having the exact same issues as the year before mine it would seem to be the problem was never fixed. I will never buy another Kia due to this issue. It is such a huge safety concern and it seems like until someone is injured or worse then they might do something about it. They should be proactive on issues that seem to be going on with the same vehicle when it’s the exact issue that is going on with the year/s prior to my car.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-02
- VIN: 5XXGT4L3XLG
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING
- Summary: My front headlights on both signs shorts out while driving. If one goes the other goes. No warning. I have replaced the headlights since 2020, 3 times and the bulbs 4. There needs to be an investigation into to these headlights shorting out can cause an accident.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-11-01
- VIN: 5XXGW4L29LG
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering wheel bearing broken. Had replaced in November and again now needs to be replaced. Major safety concern that Kia should fix properly so the car runs efficiently
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-08-01
- VIN: 5XXGT4L30LG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2020 Kia Optima. The contact stated while driving 30 MPH, the vehicle went into LIMP Mode. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed that the engine consumed an excessive amount of oil and determined that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission fluid, knock sensor, and spark plugs needed to be replaced, and a complete fuel system cleaning was needed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
POWER TRAIN,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-14
- VIN: 5XXGT4L34LG
- Components: POWER TRAIN,ENGINE
- Summary: My 2020 Kia Optima had engine failure and engine is being replaced now. I've had this car for 1yr/84k miles. It went limp on the freeway 2 mos ago and I could've caused an accident when it shut down. Would not go over 30 mps, engine light kept blinking and had knocking sound. Diagnostic code as the other recalls, Engine is same for the other recalls 2.4 Theta, oil was black and almost empty & just had oil changeI called kia corporate and they told me that they are not covering it since its not a recall. I have extended warranty but CNA National Warranty will only approve a used engine and a new one I would have to pay $3,000! I have made 2 car payments for a car that is immobile, $200+ for deductible, and $600+ for car service, this is not right at all. How can I get Kia to correct this. I do not want this car or any other kia! I cannot afford xmas this year all because I chose the wrong car maker!!
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-05-15
- VIN: 5XXGT4L3XLG
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Oil plug fall out at highway speeds, engine failure. Engine stalled while driving, got vehicle to side of road, called tow truck after attempting to restart. When tow truck driver pulled vehicle onto the flatbed a massive amount of oil came out. After driver towed vehicle home he looked for a hole in the block found where plug had fallen out and advised us to look in the skid plate to see if oil plug was there, if we were lucky we could put it back in, fill with oil and restart. That is when it became obvious that the oil came from drain plug site and oil plug was found. Put plug back in, filled with oil and let the vehicle sit for a while before attempting to restart. Engine would not crank. Had vehicle towed to KIA service center by neighbor and dropped off where it was"lost" for two weeks. After they "found" my vehicle they scheduled a time to look at it. They called needing permission to put in a new starter and told us if they installed the started and the engine failed the test, engine repair would be covered under "this campaign". They put in the starter, ran an engine test and confirmed a new engine was needed. They called later that day, said it was not covered under warranty or campaign. I could not afford the engine replacement so had it towed back home by neighbor after paying for the starter. Car is at home parked and has not been touched since getting it back here. Plug fall out was 4,000 miles after last oil change. Vehicle went into limp mode one time, did need a boost a few times and the day off plug fall out my son was on his way home from work, headed to auto parts store to have them check battery, starter and alternator.
Negative 2020 Kia Optima car reviews
Positive 2020 Kia Optima car reviews
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Quick and simple
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After my lease on the 2016 MB E350 ended, I decided to finance something more economical while still maintaining a similar ride and creature comfort. I have to say, after driving the 2019 Kia Optima EX 1.6T for a few days, I didn't miss the Benz at all. The ride, quietness, refinement, and seat comfort were just as good as the E-Class, if not better. Plus, the Optima has so many more standard features at a much more affordable price, and it's more spacious too. The only downside is the Dual Clutch Trans, which I'm not a fan of. It can be a bit too much like a manual with the lurches, and it's not great in stop-and-go traffic. Overall though, it's a fantastic car.
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Kia is an amazing brand. I'm so glad I have my Optima, but I'm considering something bigger. For the size and payments, it's been great!
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This is my third Optima and I have never had a problem with any of them. I am going to take the buyout offer since I have very little mileage on the car. I am really looking forward to owning it!
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I purchased the 2019 Kia Optima LX/FE model as my daily commuter car, as I drive 120 miles a day for work. I couldn't risk the hefty repair bills or damage another BMW with all the miles I have to drive for my new job. The car has been incredibly reliable. I have only needed to do oil changes with standard oil every 7500 miles and the very minor necessary maintenance to keep the warranty. It was so inconsequential that I forgot what part it was after 100K miles. I changed the spark plugs at 100K miles and have only had to replace the rear brakes after 100K miles! Oh, and I did a radiator fluid change-out. Don't let these drive-thru lube places ream you or touch the transmission fluid! Read the manual yourself. The standard safety equipment and features like backup camera, a large screen, blind spot, lane assist, forward collision warning etc. that it comes with are absolutely phenomenal. True story: I traded in the Kia for a 3 series BMW 330i, and ended up returning the BMW to get this car back after 3 days because the BMW didn't have all the standard features! The car is spacious, performs well for what you pay and is an absolutely comfortable drive. It is definitely reliable to say the least. I wish they didn't discontinue the Optimas. If this car starts acting up at around 200K miles, I'll start looking at the new K5. I hope this helps!
Additional sources
More sources of information about 2020 Kia Optima problems:
Optima 2020 engine failure | Kia Optima Forums
Jul 26, 2022 ... Optima 2020 engine failure ... My check engine light came on the end of the first week in June on my 2020 optima. I made an service appt and took ...
2020 Kia Optima Problems | Kelley Blue Book
How reliable is the 2020 Kia Optima? See the most common repairs performed and learn if your vehicle is at risk for major repairs in the next 12 months.
Kia Optima Problems and Complaints - 10 Issues
Top Kia Optima Problems · Door Locks Malfunction Not Allowing Driver or Passanger to Open Their Doors · Faulty Throttle Position Switch · Software Update Available ...
2020 Kia Optima Review, Problems, Reliability, Value, Life ...
Oct 31, 2023 ... The 2020 Kia Optima is a nice midsize sedan, offering a lot of technology features and a good interior for the money, although long-term ...
Most Common Kia Optima Problems - GT Automotive
May 18, 2022 ... Kia Optima Engine Problems · Faulty Starter · Faulty Door Latch · Faulty Throttle Position Switch (TPS) · Weak Alternator.
Other years of Kia Optima
Are you having problems with your 2020 Kia Optima?
Misael Bogan 2024-10-28
The dealership experience can be frustrating at times. It may take a day to get your car checked for a check engine light, and they may recommend an oil change to maintain your warranty. Additionally, there have been some issues with the engines in this model, particularly on cold start up. However, I am selling it at a fair price to avoid any potential issues down the line. Thank you for considering this car!
German McGlynn 2024-09-14
Hi there! I hope you're doing well. I wanted to share a recent experience I had with my Kia Optima 2019. As an Uber driver, I take great care of my car and recently had new brake and transmission oil put in. However, while driving up a hill, the engine lights started blinking and my speed was reduced. I took it to several mechanics, but no one could pinpoint the exact problem. After some research, I found out that there was a recall on previous year's models for the same issue, but unfortunately, my car isn't covered under warranty anymore since I've driven 115,000 km. It's definitely a bummer since this is my business car, and I've put a lot of effort into making it look great with sporty red leather seats and more. I'm currently waiting to see what the next steps are, but I'm hopeful that it can be fixed. Thanks for listening!
Kaleigh Wiza 2024-07-29
The Kia Optima 2020 has only 5700 miles on it, yet multiple warning lights have appeared. Despite being at the dealership, they are currently unable to diagnose the issue. As the owner of the car for only 2 months, I am concerned about this situation. However, I am confident that the dealership will be able to resolve the issue and ensure the car is in top condition.