A Kia Telluride owner in Lake Charles, Louisiana, was left questioning her dealership’s service practices after discovering that her SUV’s engine had been taken apart and that two fuel injectors had been removed and used on another customer’s vehicle.
Kia Telluride Arrives at Dealership After Blowout
According to KPLC 7 News, Shirley Poullard brought her SUV to Kia of Lake Charles on June 17, 2026, after suffering a tire blowout on the interstate.
More than a month later, with little communication from the dealership, Poullard decided to visit and check on the vehicle herself. She then discovered that the engine had been taken apart.
The situation became more concerning when the service manager acknowledged that two fuel injectors from Poullard’s Kia Telluride had been borrowed to service another customer’s vehicle.
Dealership Service Raises Questions
The report did not identify the exact model year of Poullard’s vehicle. Based on footage she recorded, however, she appears to own a facelifted first-generation Telluride from the MY2023–2026 range, which preceded the second-generation model introduced for MY2027.
The footage also showed Poullard confronting the service manager. The dealership later said that the manager was no longer employed.
Kia of Lake Charles said in a statement that it had conducted an internal review. Poullard has since received her vehicle back, but she said she remains uneasy about driving it.
The incident involved an independently operated dealership rather than Kia America directly. However, the case highlights how service practices at individual dealerships can affect customer trust and a brand’s reputation.
Why the Fuel Injectors Were Removed
It remains unclear why the service manager removed the fuel injectors from Poullard’s Telluride and used them on another customer’s vehicle.
One possible explanation is that the necessary injectors were unavailable and the manager wanted to return the other vehicle to the road as quickly as possible. Another possibility is that the injectors were temporarily borrowed for diagnostic testing.
Regardless of the reason, removing parts from a customer’s vehicle without that owner’s knowledge or permission represents a serious breach of trust.
What Kia Telluride Owners Should Check
The incident underscores that dealership service can come with certain advantages while still being vulnerable to significant lapses in procedure.
Owners should obtain a detailed repair order showing all authorized work, along with any parts removed or replaced. They should also inspect their vehicle thoroughly before leaving the service bay.
For Poullard, the Kia Telluride has been returned, but the experience has left her with lingering concerns about the vehicle and the service it received.
