Kia Denies Engine Claim Over Massachusetts Owner's Home Oil Changes
Amber Cichowski's 2021 Telluride had fewer than 80,000 miles when the engine failed, but she could not document two oil changes she did herself.
By James Okafor
A Massachusetts driver said Kia refused to pay for a replacement engine in her 2021 Telluride because she could not produce receipts for two oil changes she performed herself, WCVB Channel 5 Boston reported in a segment published on October 13, 2026.
Amber Cichowski's SUV had fewer than 80,000 miles on it when the engine failed in 2025, according to the station. Kia markets a 10-year, 100,000-mile warranty that it describes as "industry-leading," but the company declined to cover the repair, citing the missing documentation for the at-home oil changes, WCVB reported.
The case points to a recurring friction point for vehicle owners who service their own cars: without dated records or receipts, drivers can struggle to show a manufacturer that required maintenance was completed.
Video: WCVB Channel 5 Boston via YouTube.
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