My 2020 Forte has been in the shop 6 times this year to have the AC repaired. And it is still not fixed. So far, dealer has replaced O ring, High Side line, Compressor, and Condenser. Last fix lasted 800 miles, then all the refrigerant leaked out again. Just got it back from 3 weeks in the shop, they agreed it was low, topped it off, and could not find a leak under the hood. Didn't want to tear the dash out so didn't look there, just topped it off with dye in the system, and sent it home again, come back if it fails again. My car only has 65K miles. Is this normal? Am I the only one having this problem?
AC Refrigerant Leaks
- Thread starter PD20
- Start date
Hello. That is incredibly frustrating, and no, this is not normal behavior for a car with 65,000 miles. You are definitely not the only one to have AC problems with a modern car, but a recurring leak after so many parts have been replaced is a very difficult and unusual problem.
The dealer's reluctance to "tear the dash out" points to the most likely location of your leak: the evaporator core. This part is located deep inside your car's dashboard, and it's a major job to replace it. A tiny crack or pinhole in the evaporator can cause a slow, intermittent leak that is almost impossible to find with a visual inspection under the hood. The fact that the refrigerant leaks out again after only 800 miles is a strong indicator of a persistent leak.
Another possibility is that a seal was not properly seated or a component was faulty from the factory. While a compressor, condenser, and O-ring were all replaced, a new part can have a defect. However, it's very unlikely that all of them would be faulty.
Your next step is to escalate the issue with the dealership. Since they have now put dye into the system, they are obligated to find the leak. They should have a UV light that can be used to see the dye coming out of the leak. If they cannot find the leak, you should take the car back and tell them that it is a recurring issue that is not being resolved, and that you need them to find the leak, even if it's inside the dashboard.
If the dealership continues to refuse to find the leak, you should contact Kia's corporate customer service. Explain the entire history of the issue and the fact that you have had so many parts replaced and the problem is still not fixed. They can authorize the dealership to perform a more in-depth diagnosis, and in some cases, can even authorize the replacement of the entire system.
You are not overreacting, and you are not the only person with this kind of problem. A recurring leak is a serious issue that should be diagnosed and repaired correctly.