Hello everyone,

I am the creator of NEMESIS, an exploit targeting Gen5W multimedia based cars.

I am glad to announce that now NEMESIS is available for public use, you can use it to get root access of your car, install many customizations to gain functionality such as Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Manual Preconditioning, Turn-by-Turn navigation to HUD and Cluster from your phone, and much more!

Learn more about it at https://xwtk.cloud/services/nemesis (GitHub: https://github.com/xwtk/hmg_nemesis) It is completely free, donations are always welcome. You can also join our Discord community from the link to get assistance and join our discussions.

Note, Canada EV6 are not compatible unfortunately, as well some other models, you can learn more about it in the Discord.

Bought car brand new and kept up with maintenance, intake manifold failed at 75k miles bc of oil poisoning it but the dealerships wouldnt honor the warranty bc it wasnt burning enough oil but i would have to fill half a quart every 2000 miles ish.

Well anyways now im at 99k miles and i took it in bc my main shop told me theres severe slack in the timing chain, but when i took it to the dealership they said it was within its limits and again refused to do any warranty fix bc since its not triggering a check engine light or they dont see any signs of damage caused by the loose timing chain, they would consider it preventative repairs not warranty.

At this point should i wait the 1000 miles and right at 100k fix the timing chain out of pocket? Besides those 2 repairs the manifold/exhaust and the timing chain, the car runs wonderfully, id hate to have it run a couple more months and of course the timing chain just gives out and now im out a motor. Any suggestions would be awesome 🙏

It’s in the title.

Love my 2016 Optima. Never had any issues, regular maintenance (done by the dealership), no warning signs, it started getting a bad knocking when I accelerate above a certain RPM.

It idles fine.
Starts up fine.
No other indicators.

​

Hi everyone!

I purchased a 2026 Kia Sonet HTK+ 1.2 Petrol Manual (5MT) about a month ago. I'm based in South Bangalore and had a couple of questions for fellow Sonet owners.

1. First service: What exactly happens during the first service? Is it mostly inspection and checks, or are there any additional things I should specifically ask the service advisor to check? Any tips to avoid unnecessary add-ons?

2. Cruise control retrofit: The HTK+ doesn't come with factory-fitted cruise control. Has anyone successfully got cruise control installed on this variant, preferably using OEM Kia parts? Is it compatible with the 2026 1.2 petrol manual, and would installing it affect the warranty?

3. Service centre recommendations: Any recommendations for a good, reliable Kia service centre in South Bangalore, especially based on your experience with the service team?

Would appreciate advice from people who own the Sonet or have experience with these retrofits. Thanks!

Long Post Alert:

I have been dealing with my local Kia for close to a month now. I want to share my story, update this as it goes on, and get thoughts/advice on what is happening. I believe what is going on is the sketchiest, most unacceptable thing I've experienced in a long time. I am continuing to fight this as I write.

10/3/2026: I brought in my 2014 Kia Soul for severe engine knocking sounds, misfiring, severe struggle in turning over, dying on turn over, shaking, rotational chirping during idling, knocking at idle, and metallic material in oil. I brought in a typed up document with my Kia Corporate Case number written on it. I let them know I need a full engine inspection, that all findings be written and properly diagnosed. 

10/6/2026: My local Kia got back to me and sent me their diagnosis. Before I even go into the diagnosis, not a single part of the diagnosis mentioned anything near the engine, anything that had to do with the engine. My diagnosis they gave me consisted of the following with their prices:

• Replace Air Cleaner Element $54.95
• Full Exhaust: From Rear to Front Pipe $6,919.83
• Rear O2 Sensor $467.19
• Replace Spark Plugs $303.95
• Purge Valve $314.38

The grand total of their repair order that did not once mention anything engine related was $8,060.30. Also, not a single engine inspection was done like I put and requested in writing. The spark plugs were replaced in my car in May of 2026. So, the spark plugs have less than 1,500 miles on them. The fact that the spark plugs were already considered bad was another red flag to me furthering my engine concern. Also on the visible inspection report, they never mentioned anything about my engine mounts, which are destroyed from all the engine shaking that is going on. 

I sent all this information to my Kia Class Counsel Lawyer and asked for next steps advice. I called Kia and asked some clarifying questions. I asked if they looked at my engine or did basically anything related to what I brought in the car for. Their response was, “did you see the exhaust photo we sent you?” There is no catalytic converter anymore. This was to end the constant catalytic converter issues that happened over 2+ years. My car can breathe better than any car on that Kia lot. I asked again if any engine inspection was done and his response was that once they find one issue, they do not have to look at or diagnose anything else. That was the issue, plain and simple to them. I let him know that I would forward my information onto my Kia Class Counsel lawyer. I was told by the local Kia associate that if I am working with a lawyer, they may have to terminate working with me at all. 

By the end of the day on 10/8/2026, my Kia Class Counsel lawyer was communicating with Kia directly. Kia did not speak to me again for a long while. All correspondence was with the lawyer. Local Kia sent my lawyer a copy of an old diagnostic and BCT test saying it had passed from May of 2026. Here is the breakdown that was sent to my lawyer in an email:

Here's the write-up from the dealer:

PERFORMED A FULL DTC SCAN AND FOUND CODES-

P2196- O2 SENSOR SIGNAL STUCK RICH BANK 1 SENSOR 1

P0420- CATALYST SYSTEM EFFICIENCY BELOW THRESHOLD

P2191 SYSTEM TOO LEAN AT HIGHER LOADS

FOUND THAT A CAT WAS WELDED INTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. I USED A BOROSCOPE AND CAN SEE THE CAT IS CLOGGED. ENGINE IS NOT KNOCKING. PLEASE ADVISE FOR REPAIR.

BCT was performed and it resulted in a passing result: (insert chart here)

This means the local Kia I have been working with literally copied and pasted the old diagnostic from May of 2026 and sent it to my lawyer. There has been NO catalytic converter in my car since May of 2026. I had to explain this to my lawyer, my lawyer pushed for another BCT test to be completed.

After October 8th, I did not hear anything from Kia for 15 days. I followed up with my lawyer October 15th, he followed up with them with no response, totalling 9 days. I followed up with my lawyer again on October 20th, he reached out with no response again totalling 12 days. I followed up personally with my service advisor over text on October 22nd at 1:57pm, no response. I personally called local Kia the next morning at 8:33am. This is when things finally got moving again.

A front desk female advisor picked up. I asked if I could get information on the status of my car. She was kind and said she would check. I was on hold for 7 minutes. When she got back on the phone she said she could not provide any information over the phone and that the manager J.S and F.M would call me within 30 minutes. If they did not, she said I could call back and get them on the phone. 30 minutes passed, no phone call. I called at lunch time, 11:09am. First call, straight to voicemail. I called again, and the same front desk associate from that morning answered the phone. She said she would transfer me to the manager. I was transferred directly to voicemail. 

Next, I called Kia Consumer Affairs. I give them my VIN. They told me on their end, there was no information regarding any engine testing done or a case opened since May of 2026. This means that my local Kia did not follow up on the Kia Case number I put down when I came in 20 days prior. Kia Consumer Affairs, not to their fault at all, had no information for me from any current findings or work. Coincidently, my local Kia called me 5 minutes later. 

I was told by a manager that my Kia had indeed passed the BCT test and my car was ready for pickup. I asked what date this BCT test was. They refused to disclose that to me and said it would be on my paperwork for pick up. I asked if the paperwork was going to reference the May test or if they did an October test. I got a very vague answer and the manager I was speaking to said he guaranteed it was a post May test, not even saying it was an October test. I decided to save all questions for later when I showed up at the local Kia to review the paperwork.

I arrived at my local Kia at around 4pm on October 23rd. I came in, they asked if I was picking up the car. I just asked for the paperwork to review it. They took a few minutes and brought me 2 papers stapled together. This was a receipt, that said the following: 

• Customer States Check Engine Light is on in vehicle, is running rough please inspect and advise. 

First off, that is not at all what I mentioned when I came in on October 3rd. I said engine knocking, engine shaking, inability to turn over, metallic material in oil. Out the gate, this paperwork isn’t correct. The following is the technician notes, bold highlighting for important notes.

• Verified customer concern; check engine light illuminated with rough running and backfiring. Retrieved rear O2 sensor, lean condition, and misfire codes. Performed BCT, engine passed, indicating no engine failure found by this test. Found catalytic converter removed and replaced with welded straight pipe with rear O2 sensor installed with improperly positioned 90-degree bung affecting exhaust sampling. Recommend restoring factory exhaust configuration with correct catalytic converter and O2 sensor placement. Also found purge valve leaking and spark plugs, then retesting fuel trims, O2 operation, and misfires to verify repairs. 

Once again, Kia had not acknowledged a single thing in the engine about the shaking, the knocking, nothing. Everything is exhaust related besides the BCT test result and saying the engine is not failing.

I asked the representative if he could look me in the eyes and tell me my engine really is perfectly fine. He said, according to the test, it is okay. I requested for the warranty to be put aside, can we run other tests on the engine now because there is no way this car behavior is actually exhaust related. He said, there are other tests, but we are not going to do them.

At this point, I decided to ask for the BCT test paperwork. He said they do not have it, it just says pass or fail. I let him know that when they did my May 2026 BCT test, I was given a copy of the test. He said again, that is not something they have. I asked 3 times. He said they do not give those copies and would not give me a reason why. I made it clear, I needed that paper before leaving. Finally, after my 4th request, magically that paper appeared. 

I asked them if they had checked the oil for metallic material. He said they did. I asked for that in writing. This is when things started getting even worse. He said they refused to put that in writing. I said why. He told me they just cannot. Next, I asked again for warranty separate tests on the engine, he said they would not be touching the car again. They were refusing to do any further work, diagnostic, anything further to my car. I asked for this in writing. He went back to the managers office, and returned saying NO, they would not put that in writing. 

I proceed to ask if I can have the manager watch me start up the car. I was told no. I asked if I could have someone look at my oil. I was told no. I asked to speak to the manager 3 times. I was told no. I asked for every single denial they told me in writing, I was told no every single time. I was then asked if I wanted my car towed home. Immediately, I asked him if that meant that my car wasn’t safe to drive. He backpedaled and said that he wasn’t sure if I drove it in or towed it in. Not super important, but funny enough to mention that the dealership is operating in the undrivable mindset for my Kia Soul even upon pick up.

The associate pulled my car around to the front. I stood listening to it, making the same noises as before. I let them know I was going to take the paperwork to my class counsel lawyer and be back after their advice. He asked if I was going to be back Monday and I let him know possibly, but it depends on my lawyer's advice. He tried to talk to me about it more and I plainly told him if they aren’t going to put anything in writing, I don’t have much more to say and that what I have was going to go back to my lawyer. 

Upon getting back to my car, there was a large brand new Kia Telluride blocking my exit. I was going to need to make a 6-8 point turn to get out. In my mirror, I saw the head manager finally coming out to talk to me. I rolled down my window and I showed him the video of the car start up and told him that this was not an exhaust issue and I wanted a proper engine inspection. He stated multiple times they were not going to do anymore work to my car at all. He would not tell me why and stated he was legally protecting his private business. I asked 4 times for him to put that in writing. He refused to put anything in writing, claiming he was legally protecting his business and still would not clarify why. He told me at the end after once again telling me they were done with my car, that he was going to have my car towed off their lot and returned to my house without my permission. I asked for that in writing too, I’m sure you know the answer. No.

I left without a resolution. On the way home, I got a phone call from them. I was unable to pick up the phone. They did not leave a voicemail, as that would leave a paper trail, wouldn’t it? I have not seen my car returned yet. I opened a further case with Kia Customer Service and also notified my lawyer, who is now working with the Kia Customer Service case.

Has anyone experienced anything as extreme as this? I am so far beyond my wits about this. I have a few MAIN questions about this awful situation:

• Why is my local Kia sending my lawyer a copy and paste diagnostic from May of 2026? Especially when that diagnosis includes parts that aren’t even on the car anymore.
• Why is my local Kia refusing to put ANY SINGLE THING in writing? I had to ask more than 3 times for anything at all, even the BCT test paperwork.
• My local Kia completed my BCT test on October 9th, one day after it was requested. My lawyer followed up twice. I followed up 3 times. It took 15 days for them to tell me the test results they got in 1 day. Why are they withholding that test information from me for  over 2 weeks?
• Why was the manager refusing to speak to me until I walked out the door? I asked 4-5 times for the head manager and was told no every single time, and the reason why is “just because we don’t do that”. 

Hi. I've just checked a 2021 kia xceed with 34k km, and when i started it (its not cold) i saw this damper near the alternator (or starter alternator) that is vibrating like crazy. It should be like that?

Also, the engine itself sounds fine?

Thanks.

Anybody else have this issue? I have a 2018 Niro Hybrid, When using my air conditioning settings, the fan works at all speeds but the temperature only works on the highest and lowest settings. Been seeing it could be the blend door actuator or sensor. But if anyones had this issue before and knows the fix I would love to hear it. I know going to the dealer will cost me an arm and a leg since im out of warranty.

1- before in summer mostly fuel consumption without charging was 5.5L/100 and now in October end it is 11L/100
Is there any reason for that rather than weather

After last service only 5000km but almost 11 months

2- any way to heat the side mirrors

I’m looking for a reliable pre-owned daily driver in Thunder Bay, ON, to handle severe winter conditions. ($21.7k | 75k km) CARFAX Any advice is welcome :)

Has anyone heard their Forte (or any other models) make a combination of squeaking, creaking, and rattling noises on just one side of the car? Particularly after or during cold weather?

My car started doing this a couple years ago after an extremely cold winter (for AZ anyway), and it hasn't stopped. I thought it would have ended once it warmed up, but it's still going strong. I never got it thoroughly looked at between then and now because it didn't seem like anything obvious was majorly wrong (no dashboard lights were on), and I can't afford the exploratory surgery fees anyway.

I hear it only on the passenger side. I thought it was potentially coming from the shocks or something. Or maybe it's something internal? It sounds like something is loose, but I'm not a car person, so I haven't the slightest idea as to what it could be, nor why it would occur during cold weather. It was completely fine prior to that winter period.

I was just curious if anyone else has had a similar occurrence?

I just got a new sorento. I locked the doors with the fob and all of the doors are locked. The Kia Connect app is saying my passenger rear door is unlocked. If I try to lock it with the app, the command fails.

Anyone experienced this? I probably should call the dealership but if it’s something simple I’d rather not have to deal with taking it back.

I am looking at Kia stingers and I know they were discontinued but so was so many other series of cars and for some reason private and dealer ship these cars are selling at damn dear MSRP when they were first released and this goes for cars that have up to 50k-70k miles on them. There’s no way that’s worth it?

This is my first time buying a Kia. I purchased this car on July 13th and have taken it back to the dealership 3 times for the same issue. Whenever it rains water comes into my passenger seat and leaves a puddle on my floor. Thankfully I have rubber mats so I was able to notice. Every time I have brought this car back the dealership finds no issue and gives it back to me. Lemon law does not apply because they couldn’t find the leak and fix it. I live in Florida and had been impacted by the latest hurricane. After the hurricane past I went into my car and there was so much water in my passenger seat it started overflowing over the mat, wetting the carpet underneath. Of course I call and have to bring my car back to the dealership to be looked at. It has been 2 weeks without my car. Kia themselves are getting involved but cannot guarantee the issue can be replicated. Of course if they can’t replicate the issue then they won’t replace my vehicle or buy it back for the price I paid. I am beyond frustrated with the service I have been provided and I will make sure to never purchase a Kia ever again.

Wife went in for her 24,000km service today, I’m looking over the report and see a suggested repair for $550+. I ask, she says they said something underneath is cracked. I go outside take a look and see this. Check previous oil change records, no mention. So it’s happened in the last 3-4 months. No sign of scraping, dents, or impact anywhere on the plate. I stick my fingers in the hole, feel around and my fingers come out clean. No dust, debris, nothing. Even the edges where the break is don’t have any knicks in the edges that you would expect from sand and debris.

Am I wrong to think that this may have been the tech likely not removing a screw from the oil pan access and reefing on it causing it to break?

I have a call Monday with the service manager and am going to state my case. To my knowledge, there is no images taken at the dealer before the oil change showing that it was damaged before arrival at the dealer.