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Every now and then, the digital campfire of social media and car forums sparks to life with another tale of dealership malpractice, part comedy, part tragedy, always involving a receipt that feels more like a ransom note. This time, the sparks flew on the Kia EV9 Owners USA Facebook group, where one owner’s experience with a simple alignment turned into a four-hour ordeal and a $765 lesson in dealership chaos. The story, like a bad comedy routine, unfolded at Eide Ford in Mandan, North Dakota, where miscommunication and disconnect managed to turn routine service into headline material.
A $765 Mischarge
Let’s paint the scene. You pull in for what should be a straightforward alignment. Maybe your EV9 is pulling a bit to the right, or maybe you’re just trying to keep things tight after a winter of cracked roads and salty slush. Instead of the expected hour or so and a bill of around $150, you find yourself waiting four hours. The techs say they’re still working. You leave with your SUV and a receipt that reads like a punchline: $325 an hour, multiplied by four. Total: $765. Not for diagnostics. Not for transmission work. Just an alignment. As the owner wrote:
“Anyone else get gouged this hard for an alignment? Lmao(Updated Edit).
They actually gave me a refund because they didn’t apply their sister location Eide Kia’s alignment rates.
Fords apparent own rate is 325$ an hour(we stayed for 4 hours), but then we came back today to talk to the manager, and yea their own team didn’t go by Kia’s rate since they had to be the ones to service Kia’s until they move their systems to their new renovated building, all is well.”
To their credit, the dealership didn’t double down. They admitted the mistake. Turns out the Ford side of the operation had billed at its internal labor rate, not realizing that Kia vehicles were supposed to be serviced under the lower pricing model of the brand’s sister facility.
Kia EV9 Comparison: Affordability, Space, & Family-Friendly Features
- The Kia EV9 presents a more budget-friendly option without compromising on essential features. With a starting MSRP of approximately $56,395, the EV9 is significantly less expensive than the Tesla Model X, which starts at around $81,380. This price difference allows consumers to access a three-row electric SUV with advanced technology and comfort features at a more accessible price point.
- Designed with families in mind, the EV9 offers generous interior space. It provides 41.4 inches of front-row legroom and 42.8 inches of second-row legroom, surpassing the Model X’s 41.1 inches and 38.7 inches, respectively. This additional space enhances passenger comfort, particularly on longer journeys. Furthermore, the EV9’s boxy design contributes to greater headroom, making the third row more accommodating for adult passengers compared to the sloped roofline of the Model X.
- The EV9 introduces unique features, such as second-row seats that can swivel 180 degrees, fostering a more interactive and versatile cabin environment. This is particularly advantageous for families, facilitating easier child seat access and creating a communal space within the vehicle.
This mishap, the result of a system not yet migrated to their new Kia-dedicated facility, was corrected after the customer raised the issue directly with management.
The $765 was refunded, and peace was restored. The owner took it in stride and shared the story online, laughing about it in retrospect. But one wonders, what if he hadn’t spoken up?
How a Simple Alignment Error Could Damage Reputation
Situations like this are how brands bleed loyalty. For all the billions automakers spend crafting identity, buzz, and customer relationships, a rogue invoice can undo it in a second. Particularly in the EV space, where buyers tend to be early adopters, tech-savvy, and vocal, these stories spread like wildfire. You buy into a vehicle like the EV9 not just for the product but for the ecosystem it represents. A premium ownership experience is expected, and for good reason. After all, the Kia EV9 starts in the high $50,000s and competes against the likes of the Rivian R1S and Tesla Model X. It cannot afford dealership-level clownery.
There’s an added sting of irony when you realize that Firestone, a chain hardly known for its high-touch service, offers a lifetime alignment deal for $199. That’s less than a single hour at the rate this Ford store charged. Alignments, mind you, aren’t a high-frequency service. Unless your car is visibly pulling or your tires are showing uneven wear, there’s rarely a need for one outside of a collision or major suspension work. Yet dealerships persist in pushing them as routine maintenance, right alongside cabin filters priced like medical equipment and $40 “complimentary” fluid top-offs.
Kia EV9 Safety Recalls: Addressing Bolt, Software, & Parking Assist Glitches
- In December 2024, Kia recalled approximately 22,883 EV9 vehicles due to potential missing mounting bolts in the second and third-row seats. This issue arose from an assembly error at the Gwangmyeong plant in Korea, potentially compromising seat stability and occupant safety during a collision. Dealers were instructed to inspect and install any missing bolts free of charge.
- In October 2024, a recall was issued for around 14,163 EV9 vehicles to address a software error causing the instrument panel screen to fail. This malfunction could prevent the display of critical information such as speed and warning indicators, increasing the risk of accidents. The remedy involved updating the instrument cluster software, either through dealerships or over-the-air updates.
- In September 2024, Kia recalled approximately 12,400 EV9 vehicles equipped with the Remote Smart Parking Assist feature. A software glitch could cause the system to miscalculate stopping distances, potentially leading to insufficient braking during low-speed remote parking maneuvers and increasing the risk of collisions. Dealers provided a free software update to rectify the issue.
What makes this all so frustrating is the broader context. Kia has come a long way. It wasn’t that long ago that a Kia or Hyundai badge was automotive shorthand for
“budget compromise.”
These were cars you bought because you had to, not because you wanted to. But in the past two decades, these brands have gone from joke to juggernaut. The EV9 and EV6 are stunning examples of what Korean automakers can now produce: world-class EVs that undercut their American and European competition in price, tech, and sometimes even performance.
Record Sales & Innovation Amid Recalls
Kia’s success in the EV space has been particularly noteworthy. They set new EV sales records in the U.S. last year thanks to strong demand for the EV6 and EV9. Reviews have been glowing, with critics praising the EV9’s interior quality, range, and aggressive styling. The IONIQ 5, Hyundai’s sibling to the EV6, is even nipping at Tesla’s heels in terms of innovation. These aren’t just good Korean cars anymore. They’re good cars, full stop. This makes experiences like this one, where the dealership system fails spectacularly, so maddening. If Kia wants to maintain its upward trajectory, its dealer network needs to catch up to the quality of the cars it’s now selling.
Ultimately, this story ends well. The dealership recognized the error. The customer got his money back. And thanks to a healthy dose of humor and transparency, what could’ve been a PR disaster became a cautionary tale with a punchline. But it shouldn’t take a bad review on Google to make things right. The dealership experience, the Achilles heel of the car-buying process, remains the final frontier for improvement.
Image Sources: Kia EV9 USA Facebook Group, Kia Media Center
Noah Washington is an automotive journalist based in Atlanta, Georgia. He enjoys covering the latest news in the automotive industry and conducting reviews on the latest cars. He has been in the automotive industry since 15 years old and has been featured in prominent automotive news sites. You can reach him on X and LinkedIn for tips and to follow his automotive coverage.
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Source: torquenews.com
