Islamabad: A consumer court in Islamabad admitted a complaint against KIA Lucky Motors Corporation and related parties after a customer claimed that his brand new KIA Sportage developed a serious technical fault within days of purchase, rendering it unusable despite repeated inspections and repairs. The complaint has been filed under the Islamabad Consumer Protection Act, 1995, and the court has started regular hearing of the matter after reviewing the initial arguments. According to the complaint, the vehicle developed a “Shifter System Malfunctioning: Service Immediately” warning after covering only around 900 kilometres, causing the vehicle to stop working properly and requiring assistance. The complainant claimed that the same problem appeared again shortly after the first repair, raising concerns about the reliability and safety of a newly purchased vehicle. The case was filed against KIA Lucky Motors Corporation, its officials, the Islamabad dealership and KIA Corporation South Korea. The court issued notices to the concerned respondents for appearance and response. The complaint states that the customer purchased the KIA Sportage for personal and official use with the expectation that a new vehicle would be safe, reliable and free from defects. According to the documents, the vehicle was purchased on 13 February 2026 for Rs11.299 million. The customer alleged that while travelling for an official assignment, the vehicle suddenly displayed the shifter system warning and the gear system stopped functioning properly. He claimed that after reaching his destination, the same issue happened again, forcing him to seek help from the company. According to the complaint, the dealership initially informed the customer that the problem was caused by loose internal wiring. The vehicle was inspected and the customer was assured that the issue had been resolved and the vehicle was safe to drive. However, the customer claimed that the same warning appeared again on 30 May 2026 while he was travelling with his family, leaving the vehicle unusable and forcing him to arrange alternative transport. The complaint further states that the vehicle had to be taken away through a recovery service after attempts to fix the problem failed. The customer has alleged that different explanations were provided regarding the cause of the fault, including wiring issues, moisture concerns and failure of the Shifter Control Module, a key part of the vehicle’s transmission system. The complaint argues that these different explanations created further doubts about the actual cause of the problem and the effectiveness of the repairs carried out by the company. The customer has requested the court to order replacement of the vehicle or refund of the purchase price along with compensation for financial losses, inconvenience and distress. The complaint also mentions that the customer contacted the company through official channels and sent a legal notice, but claimed that the issue was not resolved. The company’s response, according to the complaint documents, acknowledged that a shifter malfunction was reported and that the Shifter Control Module was replaced under warranty after diagnosis. The legal case has brought attention to consumer rights in Pakistan, especially regarding the responsibilities of automobile companies when a newly purchased vehicle develops serious problems. The complainant’s lawyer Munir Ahmad Advocate High Court said the purpose of the case is to seek a fair solution for the customer and ensure consumers receive proper protection when purchasing expensive products. The court will continue hearing the matter after receiving responses from the concerned parties.
