Jamie and Debbie Rekasie say they did everything right.<\/p>\n
The Brookline couple leased a 2019 Kia Optima and liked it so much they decided to buy it. As a one-car household, they said they took maintenance seriously, keeping records of oil changes, brakes, and tires.<\/p>\n
So when the engine failed at just 80,000 miles, they expected Kia’s 100,000-mile powertrain warranty would cover the repair.<\/p>\n
Instead, they say Kia denied their claim.<\/p>\n
“Destroyed. Stressed out,” said owner Jamie Rekasie.<\/p>\n
Rekasie says he submitted dozens of receipts to Kia after the engine failed. The company responded by saying the vehicle had not been properly maintained.<\/p>\n
“I have records. Fourteen oil changes, two sets of brakes, two sets of tires,” said Rekasie.<\/p>\n
The trouble began in October 2025, when the couple brought the car to a local dealership to repair a turbo issue, a repair they say Kia covered. Just two months later, the engine failed.<\/p>\n
Kia declined to pay for a replacement engine, saying the oil change receipts did not include the vehicle’s VIN or odometer reading.<\/p>\n
Rekasie says his son, a mechanic, performed the oil changes, and the shop provided the receipts.<\/p>\n
Michael Brooks, executive director of the Center for Auto Safety, says warranty denials like this are not unusual.<\/p>\n
“Often, the first tactic is to deny the claim and hope the consumer goes away,” said Brooks.<\/p>\n
Brooks points to the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act, a federal law that protects consumers. The law makes it illegal for manufacturers to void a warranty simply because maintenance was done at home or by an independent mechanic as long as the correct parts, oil, and service schedule were followed.<\/p>\n
Importantly, Brooks says, the burden of proof is on the manufacturer\u2014not the consumer\u2014to show that a lack of maintenance caused the failure.<\/p>\n
KDKA Investigates contacted Kia about the Rekasie family’s case.<\/p>\n
The company said it only approves home oil changes when receipts clearly list the quantity of oil, an oil filter, the date, and vehicle mileage.<\/p>\n
But shortly after our inquiry, Kia reversed course, offering the following statement.<\/p>\n
“In the spirit of customer satisfaction and service, our customer care department has approved an engine replacement and will be in contact with the customer to share next steps.”<\/p>\n
When KDKA Investigates told Jamie and Debbie the news, they were relieved.<\/p>\n
Brooks says this case serves as a reminder for consumers\u2014especially Kia and Hyundai owners\u2014to keep detailed records and not give up if a warranty claim is denied.<\/p>\n
If you have documentation showing you followed the manufacturer’s maintenance schedule, he says, keep pushing.<\/p>\n
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