An Unwanted Parts Bin
One reason some owners choose dealerships is that they trust them to provide quality service, even if they would rather go to an independent shop to save money. However, this particular case involving a Kia Telluride owner in Lake Charles, Louisiana, may have left her with trust issues.
According to KPLC 7 News, owner Shirley Poullard brought her SUV to Kia of Lake Charles on June 17, 2026, after experiencing a tire blowout on the interstate. After the vehicle had been sitting at the dealership for more than a month with little communication, Poullard decided to visit, only to discover that its engine had been taken apart. Worse, the service manager admitted that two fuel injectors had been borrowed from her vehicle to service another customer’s vehicle.
Trust Takes a Hit
The report did not identify the exact model year. Based on Poullard’s footage, however, she appears to own a facelifted first-generation Telluride from the MY2023–2026 range, which preceded the second-gen model introduced for MY2027. In other words, it is still relatively new. The footage also showed the owner confronting the service manager, whom the dealership later said was no longer employed.
Kia of Lake Charles released a statement saying it had conducted an internal review. She has since gotten her vehicle back but admitted that she still feels uneasy driving it.
Of course, it would be unfair to blame Kia America directly for an incident involving an independently operated dealership. Still, the case could remind the automaker to be more proactive in ensuring its dealers follow proper service practices, as brand reputation can influence sales.
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A Shortcut With No Good Ending
It remains unclear what led the service manager to borrow parts from Poullard’s Telluride for another customer’s vehicle. One possible explanation is that the injectors were unavailable and the manager wanted to get the other vehicle back on the road as quickly as possible. Giving him the benefit of the doubt, the injectors might have been borrowed temporarily for diagnostic testing. Regardless, removing parts without the owner’s knowledge or permission is a breach of trust.
The takeaway is that dealership service may offer certain advantages, but it is not immune to serious lapses. Owners should obtain a detailed repair order listing all authorized work and any parts removed or replaced, and inspect their vehicle thoroughly before leaving the service bay.
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