Community Forums

Doc Vegas · 08-17-2015, 10:14 PM

So, I was getting pretty excited about a 2015 Kia Soul for flat tow and daily driver. Met 85% of my needs and could not be beaten for the price. However, I asked the dealer over and over about the warranty and flat towing. They dodged the question, but finally, in writing, told me that if you flat tow, the warranty is voided! So much for the great warranty, put on a tow plate and your warranty is gone.

Back to the drawing board....

tedgard01 · 08-17-2015, 10:28 PM

Did you listen to the dealer or did you read this in the owners manual? I would not believe the dealer. Read the manual. After reading the owners manual, call Fiat corporate, don't simply rely on the dealer. Most don't know, only guess... I have had the dealer say that they checked with the service manager and was told that the car I was looking at could not be flat towed, then I read the owners manual and it clearly stated that the car must be flat towed and could not be towed on a dolly.

Mr_D · 08-17-2015, 10:28 PM

Yep, most manufacturers will do that, Honda tried that with our '05 but we had it in writing on Honda letterhead that it could be towed four down. They also paid for the towing gear we had installed and let the warranty stand as written. We bought a KK-460 with their money and towed a few years on a dolly. Then found others towing four down with no trouble so went back to four down.
If the vehicle is front wheel drive only then you can get a dolly and tow it with no problems.

UsualSuspect · 08-17-2015, 10:31 PM

I would read the owner's manual, see what it says. Many times dealerships are lazy and do not want to look, so the easiest thing is to say no, it can't be done. If you search this forum you will see many cases of the dealer said no, the owners manual said yes, and a call to the consumer 800 number verifies what the owners manual has in it.

Mr_D · 08-17-2015, 11:21 PM

And the owners manuals can also be wrong! Best thing to do is CALL the manufacturers hot line and ask, then ask for it in writing, that's what saved us on our Ody and cost Honda $2,200!

BobGed · 08-17-2015, 11:59 PM

According to the FMCA 2105 towing guide the Kia Soul manual trans can be flat towed.

However I agree with the previous posters. Either confirm it by reading it in the manual, or get it in writing from the manufacturer....not the dealer.

Mr_D · 08-18-2015, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

According to the FMCA 2105 towing guide the Kia Soul manual trans can be flat towed.

However I agree with the previous posters. Either confirm it by reading it in the manual, or get it in writing from the manufacturer....not the dealer.

And as I posted previously, the manuals can be wrong. That happened with the '05 Honda Pilot manuals.

cenfl · 08-18-2015, 12:22 AM

Here it is from KIA. The manual transmission Soul CAN be towed four down.

Doc Vegas · 08-18-2015, 12:32 AM

Thanks guys. I know it can be towed 4-down and the manual says that as well. They said, in writing, that adding a baseplate to the car for 4-down towing will void the warranty. What more can I do? This is the dealership where I would be going for service, only place near by....

vsheetz · 08-18-2015, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Vegas

Thanks guys. I know it can be towed 4-down and the manual says that as well. They said, in writing, that adding a baseplate to the car for 4-down towing will void the warranty. What more can I do? This is the dealership where I would be going for service, only place near by....

Call Kia corp as suggested to affirm the TSB. Show the dealer the TSB. Then demand they substantiate their written position in the face of contradictory data from the vehicle manufacturer.

Steve N Sal · 08-18-2015, 03:49 AM

Is the Kia Soul you are mentioning here a manual or automatic transmission? I haven't read where you mention that. That may make the difference in being able to tow it 4 down or not.

walt2137 · 08-18-2015, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Vegas

Thanks guys. I know it can be towed 4-down and the manual says that as well. They said, in writing, that adding a baseplate to the car for 4-down towing will void the warranty. What more can I do? This is the dealership where I would be going for service, only place near by....

Doc your dealer is wrong, Kia in Korea issued the TSB and any dealer would have to honor the TSB, the Kia Soul is approved for flat tow on the manual trans 6 speed 2015 I have a copy for the 2014 and 2015 and have been towing A 2015. The owners book is not that clear but the TSB is take a copy to your dealer and ask him to get off his a** and check it out.

walt2137 · 08-18-2015, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobGed

According to the FMCA 2105 towing guide the Kia Soul manual trans can be flat towed.

However I agree with the previous posters. Either confirm it by reading it in the manual, or get it in writing from the manufacturer....not the dealer.

John Johnson is the guy that contacts all auto mfg to get the ok on what's towable, when I talked to John (FMCA) late 2014 he was waiting on a update TSB from Kia in Korea . This is a past from him.

I carry a copy of the TSB in the pocket of our Kia for the misinformed Dealers and Service Managers.

Hi Walt,

I finally received an updated Technical Service Bulletin from Kia regarding towability of its 2015 vehicles. It is attached. It states in part: Any Kia 2WD vehicle equipped with a manual transaxle may be towed with all four wheels on the ground behind another vehicle, such as a Recreational Vehicle (RV), as long as certain requirements (which are spelled out in the bulletin) are met.

I hope this helps.

Best regards,

John Johnston
Associate Editor, Family Motor Coaching
Family Motor Coach Association
8291 Clough Pike
Cincinnati, OH 45244
(513) 388-5209
FMCA is for motor coach and motorhome owners. Motorcoach articles, motor home blogs, motor coach advice and motorhome videos. | Family Motor Coaching magazine, for motorhome owners

I don't know how much plainer it could be that the Soul standard trans is flat towable.

Jim2 · 08-18-2015, 08:27 AM

That dealer is an idiot, find a new one; or remind him that what he just stated in writing is a violation of the Federal Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Doc Vegas

Thanks guys. I know it can be towed 4-down and the manual says that as well. They said, in writing, that adding a baseplate to the car for 4-down towing will void the warranty. What more can I do? This is the dealership where I would be going for service, only place near by....