Kia ASC quotes Rs. 42,000 for fixing my Carens' faulty HU screen!

Asked the SC technician if a new firmware was available - which he denied stating that it's at the latest release.

BHPian ptaneja recently shared this with other enthusiasts:

An Update !!

So lately, my Infotainment System started acting strange - also called Ghost Touches - random clicks anywhere on the screen - and happens on random - sometimes nothing happens for 30 mins, and sometimes starts behaving erraticly in 5 mins.

Sample of this nuisance - happened with or without Android Auto.

Tried the following -

1. Changed phone. Updated Android Auto, removed it from Kia System and installed from scratch.
2. Changed data cable - tried it on wireless.
3. Did a reset from within the infotainment system - didn't fixed it, just bought the system back to its defaults.
4. Reset via physical button on the set - still nothing.
5. Removed negative terminal for few mins and checked - no solution.

Visited SC since the car is 2 years 4 months old - but to my surprise the warranty of infotainment system is only for 2 years - and not covered under extended warranty.

Asked the SC technician if a new firmware was available - which he denied stating that it's at the latest release.

The solution by SC was that complete unit will be replaced and would cost approx 42,000rs !

So came back home, and started looking for options who can replace just the screen/folder - and finalised a guy in Karol Bagh, Delhi who will just change the display for 16k approx.

Just as a last resort, visited SC again, and met their GM - and asked him to contact Mobis - OEM manufacturer and Hyundai/Kia parts vendor - these provide the audio units to both companies. Had him speak to their tech team in front of me and they confirmed that a new patch is available and can be tried.

So today, did the upgrade of Infotainment System to latest release, and have driven approx 15 kms post that - the issue has not resurfaced yet !! In case it starts to happen again, then will contact the Karol Bagh guy for screen replacement.

Attaching the old and new versions if someone else is also facing this issue.

Old Version Info -

During Update -

New Version Info -

Here's what BHPian ashvek3141 had to say on the matter:

This is a latest niggle from ‘Dearest Kia’. Off late I have seen lot many Sonet & Carens owners posting of similar issues with their AVN unit, primarily the 8” one.

And as in your case, all have been denied warranty post 2 years of reporting this issues. Surprisingly, these units never faced any major issue per se, during the first 2 years of purchase. And now there’s a sea of owners reporting these issues.

Aside, I had a similar issue in my 2015 Creta after nearly 4.5 years. Raised this issue with Hyundai and they were kind enough to cover this under ‘goodwill’ warranty. Albeit it was a refurbished unit, but they did replace it nonetheless.

Sadly, no such thing as ‘goodwill’ warranty exists in Kia’s books and the owners have to make do with their stupid policies

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