2011 kia rio clutch problems

monty_python

hi
im posting this on behalf of my father

in december 2011 he bought a brand new 2011 kia rio. since then he has had to replace the clutch twice. the mechanic says the clutch "burnt out"
he is the only person that drives the car. he was a professional driver for 30+ years so its not his driving style that is causing it.
he has never had this problem with any other car before

can anyone shed any light on why this might be happening??

thanks for reading

bazz26

When the previous clutches were replaced did the garage/dealer check the removed components to figure out whether it was premature failure or excessive wear?

monty_python

bazz26 wrote: »

When the previous clutches were replaced did the garage/dealer check the removed components to figure out whether it was premature failure or excessive wear?

Ill have to ask the father that later.
He did say it wasnt covered under warrenty

mathepac

I thought all KIAs had a 7-year warranty (10 years in the US)

Their own Irish web-site seems to confirm this - http://www.kia.com/ie/fleet/7ywfleet/

Extracts "... This comprehensive new 7 Year Kia Warranty is a full "bumper-to bumper" manufacturer's warranty and covers each vehicle up to seven years or 150,000km, whichever comes first ... This new 7-Year Kia Warrnaty applies to all vehicles sold and registered in Europe after 1 January 2010 ... "

MuppetCheck

mathepac wrote: »

I thought all KIAs had a 7-year warranty (10 years in the US)

Their own Irish web-site seems to confirm this - http://www.kia.com/ie/fleet/7ywfleet/

Extracts "... This comprehensive new 7 Year Kia Warranty is a full "bumper-to bumper" manufacturer's warranty and covers each vehicle up to seven years or 150,000km, whichever comes first ... This new 7-Year Kia Warrnaty applies to all vehicles sold and registered in Europe after 1 January 2010 ... "

Clutches are classed as consumables with every manufacturer.

mathepac

MuppetCheck wrote: »

Clutches are classed as consumables with every manufacturer.

Two clutches in a small car in such a short time is cause for concern, even if they do try to weasel out of their "bumper-to-bumper warranty"

JohnBoy26

mathepac wrote: »

Two clutches in a small car in such a short time is cause for concern, even if they do try to weasel out of their "bumper-to-bumper warranty"

clutches in my experience usually burn out prematurely due to driver error.

it's not uncommon to see a clutch or two burn out in a short space of time if a car is driven incorrectly.

i've seen cars driven by some older people needing a clutch in as little as 5k miles and it is very possible to burn out a clutch even quicker.

Now im not saying the op's father drove the car incorrectly but usually if their was an issue with clutch components it would of been sorted after the first replacement, that's assuming they used a clutch kit, they should have.

still i fail to see how it could of been a down to a mechanical issue. Kia would more than likely have spotted an issue if there was one when replacing the clutch on the first occasion.

The reason why kia won't cover it is because as has been said a cutch is a consumable item, just like brake pads. For example would you expect kia to change brake pads for you under warranty if you wore them out prematurely due to hard braking.

Greyfoot

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

clutches in my experience usually burn out prematurely due to driver error.

Indeed, the most common mistake is resting the left foot on the clutch pedal. This is mostly due to reflexes while driving in heavy traffic, afraid that the car will stall.

It is kinda unconscious but "curable", drivers have to keep reminding themselves to get their foot off the clutch until it becomes a habit.

colm_mcm

Is it a 1.5 diesel by any chance?

monty_python

colm_mcm wrote: »

Is it a 1.5 diesel by any chance?

1.3 petrol

monty_python

bazz26 wrote: »

When the previous clutches were replaced did the garage/dealer check the removed components to figure out whether it was premature failure or excessive wear?

The mechanic said it was excessive wear

kermitpwee

Have seen this witha few older drivers and it sometimes is the start of parkinsons. Not saying it is in this case.