On June 24, 2026 | went into Paramount Kia Dealer, Hickory, North Carolina, to trade in my 2024 Mitsubishi outlander for a Kia Seltos 2027. I made the deal. I traded my Mitsubishi outlander in and I bought the Kia Seltos. To make this short, it is now July 13, 2026 and they still have not paid off my Mitsubishi outlander 2024 with the Credit union. 19 days later!!! ...So now I have to make Car payments on a car that | don't even have. I went in the dealer last Friday July 10, 2026. I was given a complete runaround. They told me that it would be paid off soon. When is soon??? Basically I feel like they stole my trade-in. I don't have the car and I'm making car payments on it. How is this right, or fair. Not to mention, this is no way to run a business. Do not trust these people, do not give them your business. They don't deserve it..  These people are not honest.... Do not buy a car from these people.... and definitely don't trade a car with these people. You will be very sorry..   Today, July 13, 2026, I called corporate office and made a formal complaint against this dealer. If I don't get any help, l will have no other choice, but to take further action. The complaint department was very sympathetic with me.... And they agreed this never should've happened. They will escalate this complaint and send it to the district manager. So I am now awaiting a call from him. I called the Kia dealership this morning. Couldn't get a hold of anyone, I left a message and of course no one has called me back or emailed me. I double checked, and the car has not been paid off. With the Credit union. The people that run this dealership, are absolutely pathetic, and the sales people are no better. I would like to take back any review that I made after I bought the car.....Because now they did not stand by their word, they did not stand by their contract. And as I stated before they are completely less than honest. Obviously, their management does not care. And their finance people do not care as well. It's not their credit that's getting ruined. It's mine, if the car payment is not made. Do yourself a favor find another dealership.... unless you want to go through this kind of stress. Think about it. Choose wisely!!!!! read more

If you follow me, you know I don't give 1 star reviews often. And, I was prepared to give them 2 stars based on the initial issue but bumping down to 1 star based on how they handled the issue and then completely ghosted me - both the salesperson and sales manager. Do not trust these folks. Here is the timeline. Tue 3/3 - find a car on their website and inquire about it using their text feature. Thought I was dealing with a human. Asked how much of a deposit was required to hold the vehicle. Was told they would look into it and let me know. Wed 3/4 8:13am - one of their salespeople MJ contacts me about my inquiry. I share with him the deposit question. Wed 3/4 9:06am thru 1:37pm - discussion moves to a negotiation and we agree on a price. Deal is done. Again, ready to put down a deposit. I also spoke to MJ during this time span. Wed 3/4 1:51pm - I am told the car already has a deposit it on it and the words used were "just a little bit ago" - very important per below. See screen shot. I then voice my displeasure and ask that they terminate the other deal. I again try to call MJ, left message he never called me back. So, I call again and get the Sales Manager - forget his name. He must think I am an idiot. I explain the situation and he expresses understanding and disappointment but then... the ridiculousness comes out... he tells me the car actually sold several days ago and MJ was not aware. Come on man.' But, the sales manager commits to looking into the matter personally to confirm the car is sold and promises to call me back. That was more than 48 hours ago and no call back. Thus... the one star. I know stuff happens but there is somehting really shady about how these folks operated and communicated. I will NEVER consider them in the future and I recommend you be very careful if you choose to. Buyer Beware. read more

Paramount Kia of Hickory - This is an example of the ridiculousness I had to deal with. - Car Dealers Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

This dealer will show a car to someone else even if you have placed a deposit on it. They also advertised the car had no accidents reported when it actually had 2 accidents reported on carfax. (I have screenshots of both the advertisement and carfax). Also, my deposit was refunded but has an incorrect name (I was so in awe, I didn't look while there). The salesman had no compassion or care, just handed me the refund check. Didn't even try to work on a different deal or say, "if we can help you in the future purchase or anything"... I'm pretty sure the other couple looking while we were there paid more and that's why this happened. The car was for a young lady that had been excited for her first car. I had already set up insurance for this vehicle and now I have to deal with getting that situation removed & refunded as well. Money means more than ethics or customer service. I will say, the original salesman "Tony" was very polite and very helpful... unfortunately, this happened on his day off and another man was the one I spoke with today. This is the second time a Paramount Dealership (Volvo) has done something similar. We once purchased a new 2022 Volvo S60 and made full payment. They were going to check something on the car the next day (service had closed already) and we were to pick it up that next day... but when we got there someone's things were in the car and they had driven it around earlier. read more

Paramount Kia of Hickory - Car Dealers Near Me - Hickory, North Carolina

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I hesitate to call it a service department. First time we took our new Telluride back for a recall we had received an appointment. My father had been admitted to Hospice in another town but since we had the appointment we drove 45 minutes to the dealership only to set in the waiting room for 45 minutes to be told they didn't have the parts to do the recall they had scheduled. This time there was a couple of computer reprograms to be done and window molding replacement to be done on a recall. We drove the 30 minute drive there, dropped it off, drove home, received a call 3 hours later saying it was ready. 30 minutes back over there to find they had done the computer programs but didn't have the parts for the window trim replacement. I will find another dealership if we ever have to have any real service done. This place is a joke, stay away. read more

I actually have 2 instances that I was very unhappy with the results. In 2021 I traded my 2020 Soul in for a new one. To shorten the story, for some reason the finance guy, Evan Payne, thought I was buying another Soul instead of trading. Donovan was my sales person. He drove the 2020 red Soul to the back and set me on my way with my 2021. For 4 months the bank I financed through kept harassing me to pay payments on the 2020. I explained I had traded and no longer had it, Paramount Kia did. After way too many calls, waiting on the line, I finally got in my car,drove down to Hickory, from Lenior to talk to someone. That's when I found out Mr. Payne thought I bought another Soul. Why? 2 red Souls, just alike except the year! Donavan went around the back and there the 2020 Soul sat where he left it. They finally straightened it out, however after 4 months of no payments the bank hit my credit score hard! I was furious, called Paramount back and they agreed to call the bank and get it taken off my credit score. It's been 4 years and it's still there! I gave up, saying I'd never trade there again! That was the 3rd time in a row I had did business there. I did however go in and looked at a different SUV. However, that turned into a hot mess so I left without buying! Skip to 3 weeks ago, I had gotten a recall on my 2021 Soul months earlier stating a piston problem. I had been having trouble with my oil all the sudden leaking out, going almost dry before I caught it. I had my oil changed on time, every time up here in Lenior, where I live. The guys told me before that they felt something was off with the oil because of the slug that was on the inside of the cap. I was told to keep my eye on it and take it to a Kia dealership to look at. Then the recall came. The letter stated they were having to replace the engines. I made the appointment, having to wait 2 months to be able to get a rental from them to use while they worked on mine. I kept calling because my problem was getting worse. Finally my appointment came and I was elated nothing serious had happened on the road. Well, the service manager told me that they now had decided to run a test and if my car passed they didn't need to do anything else. WHAT? And of course, it passed! After questioning him and others I found out that my car had around 70,000 miles on it and the warranty runs out at 100,000! I also found out that eventually the problem would happen and get steadily worse! I am a senior citizen and a widow, who has no one to depend on to call if my car blows on a trip or even around town! He said it wasn't their decision but Kia's and sent me on my way! So now after having 2 trips planned out this summer, I had to cancel them because I'm afraid of driving my car! So, it being a ticking time bomb and them hoping it last till the warranty runs out is the service that I got! I know they have replaced some engines because there were plenty Souls parked around the service center. I feel they took advantage of me because I was alone. Shame on them! Do not do business here or any other Kia place for that matter. The factory made a mistake and they don't want to pay for the expense to fix it! If they cheat on this, they will cheat on anything. Don't get stuck like me! I am posting this review everywhere I possibly can and writing everyone I possibly can! I used to brag on the service I got there but no more! Connie F. Gunsley read more

Service dept is terrible. They messed up my car when I took it in for a recall. Then tried to say it would be 2400 to fix it. Never had a problem or even an engine check light on the car. Wouldn't even start after the recall work. ​ read more

I didn't up buying a car from Paramount Kia of Hickory, but I was very close. I specifically worked with Gates Walters who was phenomenal. Super responsive. Easy to work with. No pressure. Responsive. Eager to make a deal in the right way. Honorable. Wiling to negotiate. Definitely someone that I would love to give my money too. Can't recommend him enough. Thank you again. read more

Although we had a good experience when we purchased our Telluride - when we tried to schedule an emergent service appointment we were told it would be 4-6 weeks. This was despite the Telluride being unable to be safely driven. Despite requesting to speak to a manager, we received no telephone call as promised. I would never purchase another vehicle from Paramount. They are more than happy to sell you a call but don't expect to receive any service after your purchase. read more

Customer service on resolving on A new vehicle I've been having problems and they haven't really fixed it And I keep running back-and-forth to Kia about the situation that's going on they haven't fixed it read more

Wish I had read the reviews first, but here is my experience: I came in with what I initially thought was a minor issue (and turned out to be a idler pulley that needed to be replaced). Instead, I ended up getting my brakes replaced (pads and rotors) and being quoted close to $1500 dollars in work, most of it unnecessary. For example, I was told that due to the condition my tires, as well as a rear light, were in, that I wouldn't be able to pass an inspection... Despite having done so 5 days prior. I was also quoted windshield wipers and an unnecessary fuel treatment for a car like mine with low mileage. Due to the deception, I'm not currently sure if the work on my brakes was necessary either. Worst of all, I was told that the issue that originally brought me from Boone to their shop had been fixed, and it was not. Perhaps even worse then that, I don't believe they ever checked on the issue as another mechanic diagnosed the issue in less than a minute and was covered by my warranty, unlike the work that was done. Perhaps this is common sense, but be very cautious and try to do as much research as you can before you bring your vehicle here. You might be mislead or, in my case, lied to and leave paying more than required. read more

My car purchase was the best!! JP made the process very easy and quick. I have purchased many a car but this was the most painless purchase from beginning to end ! Randy is also wonderful Everything was explained and physically shown in the car which makes life so much easier when you leave the dealership!! I am very happy with my experience at Kia of Hickory read more

The service department at paramount Kia of Hickory is completely incompetent! They are un-professional, tell you false information, and then once your car is ready you get in and immediately have another diagnostic, when they supposedly "finished" the job two days prior. Don't ever take your Kia here to be serviced, they will waste your time and you will be disappointed! Maybe they will learn from their mistakes but it's not likely. read more

Highly dissatisfied. I came here in 2014 looking at their inventory of the 2013 Kia Soul +. (clearance and used.) They were selling them WAY over priced, I believe the cheapest started at $28k and up. I did sit down with a sales rep to see how our payments would look, and they told us that since we lived out of state (military) we couldn't buy a car from them. Which is completely BS, because I've bought cars in other states before. Speaking of the one I bought right down the road after I left that day. I ended up buying a Kia Soul + for $17k, +$10k less than Paramount Kia! Fast forward a year later, I came back home, and filed a warranty claim on the speaker in our Kia Soul. So, we ended up getting sent to Paramount Kia, for them to replace our speaker that was blown. When they brought my car out, the speaker STILL rattled and was STILL blown. I made them "change" it yet again, and the second time they actually did the job. Kia is the best car to buy, but don't do it here. The cars are over priced, the sales reps are incredibly smart a** and don't like to do their jobs right the first time around. read more

Peter was exceptional to deal with in every step of the process! Highly recommend this dealership to all that are looking for a smooth and wonderful experience! read more

Customer service in the service center is terrible. Appointments are scheduled when they do not have the parts in stock to fix the problem. They tell you to pick up your vehicle, then when you arrive to pick up it has not been touched and you have to leave without your vehicle TWICE in 2 weeks because they aren't doing their job. Phone calls are not answered and they never reach out to contact the customer about the process. Very dissatisfied read more

The ordeal I had with this place is much too long and complicated to share it all . Long story short....They had my NEW car for almost 2 months and no courtesy or consideration to call or keep me informed. I had to contact them when and IF I actually got to speak to someone. Hands down.......I would say STAY away from this place. read more

Would not answer a simple question via chat. Continually attempted to get phone number and email address. Why offer chat? Poor customer service! read more

First Review I've ever written and I hate to but it's honestly the worst customer service I've ever encountered! Long story short I purchased a used Honda Insight and had driving issues from the start where the car jerks during take off. My vehicle began not starting as well which they did fix but said they won't pay for the original issue of the car jerking during take off. Also DVD players in the headrests don't work. I spoke with so many people and was promised call backs each time and not once did they call back. read more

I rarely post reviews unless a company has performed either exceptionally or abysmally. Unfortunately this experience has been the latter. I drove 3 hours from my home in Virginia to Hickory, NC to look at another vehicle and wound up here towards end of day. We met with Art, who showed us a used Subaru that we were assured repeatedly was in pristine condition. The car appeared to be as described, so we discussed purchasing and Art assured us that we would be able to receive free delivery of the vehicle, or at most, $100, for delivery of the vehicle to my home address if we did not make our decision before close of business. We opted for this and decided about 30 minutes later, while still in the Hickory area, that we would like to purchase the vehicle and have it delivered. Again, we were assured delivery would be at no cost to us up to $100 at the most. We left and returned home. The following day, we were informed delivery would not cost $100, but would in fact cost $300. At this point, we were no longer in the area and had no choice but to pay the additional fee, despite what was previously discussed. When the car arrived to our address, the paperwork had the incorrect street name as well as the incorrect city. We asked if this was something Art could fix for us, and were informed "Art can't help you, you can only speak to Colton." In addition, there were suspicious blanks left on our paperwork under the "you owe" section. We insisted this section was filled out with "nothing owed" prior to signing, and were also assured that the city and street address would be corrected on the paperwork. We were told that the paperwork and the title would be overnighted to us by the following day (Thursday). We insisted on speaking directly with Colton to confirm this. At this time, we were also informed we could not have the title, despite having paid in full, and it would have to be shipped to us. The next morning, I drove to work at the hospital, and reached into the pocket on my driver's side door, which to my surprise, contained an open, loose, razorblade, that I could have cut my hand on. Clearly the car had not been detailed or cleaned properly prior to our purchase. In addition to this, the paperwork did not arrive Thursday, Friday, or the beginning of the next week. We reached out to Art (sales) and Colton (with finance) and were assured again that the package would be overnighted. After two more days, now the end of the following week (Friday), we called again, and were assured by both Colton and the sales manager, Andy, that the title and paperwork had been corrected and were being overnighted. The paperwork was not overnighted, as delivery was not attempted Saturday. I am now writing this Monday, nearly two weeks later, almost at the end of the month, and still have not received the paperwork I need to make an appointment with the DMV. I reached out a third time to both Colton and Andy who informed me an attempt was made and I was not here to sign for the title, despite not ever having been told I needed to be home to sign for it. In addition, no info notice was left telling me where I could pick up the package, or that I could sign to have the package left tomorrow at my address. I was promised by Andy that he would arrange for me to pick up the package this evening and provide me a location where I could do so. He assured me he would call me back directly. He instead called my mother and informed her I could pick up the package tomorrow at a Walgreens. This was nowhere near the conversation I had with him. She said this was unacceptable and asked him to speak with FedEx to fix the issue. He said he "couldn't get through to a person." So it's left to us to sort out ourselves again. I called Andy back, and left a voicemail detailing again what I had asked for him to accomplish and informing him I would be writing this review. I was told he would be in the office until 6pm and I would receive a call back. Yet again, I have not heard anything. Please do not buy a vehicle from this company. Save yourself the headache. read more

I got a great deal on my pre-owned Kia Sorento 3 years ago. I have only had excellent customer service whenever I bring it in for service. I am NOT easy to please. read more

****UPDATE- after I posted this review Dave Estes replies asking me to contact them regarding my experience at my convenience and left his email address, but no phone number. I get that you may not want to list your number on a yelp page with nothing but complaints, so I emailed him asking a a number to call. Since he wanted to discuss what happened I figured a phone conversation was a better way to handle it than an email. That was a week and a half ago and still no response. Apparently leaving a comment makes it look like they are trying to get things right by pretending to care when someone has a bad experience. Shame on management as well. I guess customer service isn't as big as a concern as your comment wants people to believe. Wow, I can't even begin to explain how disappointed I am in my very short experience here. My husband and I are looking to replace our SUV that was totaled in an accident and I was VERY excited about the new KIA Telluride. I did my research and knew exactly which trim package I wanted. (the SX with the Prestige and tow package) I knew I wanted a light interior because as a girl born and raised in the south I know exactly how hot dark leather can get in the summer. We walked up and had to approach a sales person to get help even though there were about 6 or 7 standing around talking to each other. I told her that we were interested in the Telluride and she explained the only one they had to show was inside on the showroom floor however it's the owner's vehicle and can't be test driven. Doesn't really help me but okay, I can at least see what everything looks like and if I'm liking the vehicle as much in person as I do online. I did. I really liked it. They did have a lower package Telluride on-site but it hadn't been inspected yet and I couldn't take it for a test drive. I was informed that if I could come back Monday it should have be inspected by then and I could test drive that one. I wasn't opposed to this however when I asked when they expected more of the particular package set-up I wanted she couldn't tell me. She didn't even bother to try looking it up to see if she could tell me. Just "we don't know when any vehicle is coming. They just send us stuff." Could we order or find what I'm looking for at another Kia dealership? "If we ordered you one it will be here in a couple months." Seriously? That's it? Not even an attempt to locate what I want at another place? I have purchased cars at other dealerships and they are always willing to try to find what you want even if it's not currently at their location. I have never been told basically your out of luck for at least a couple months. I I can see why there are only one star reviews for this particular dealership. They had a very serious customer and had her walking away in less than 15 minutes. Even if it was impossible to find a SX Prestige with towing anywhere you would be surprised how much just making the effort to look would have changed this review. Management seriously needs to look at holding some customer service classes for the employees. read more

My wife and I have been waiting on an email for over a month from this dealership to close out a gap insurance claim. Continue to get the run around from Patrick Butler. Terrible customer service. read more

Recently took my 2015 Kia Optima SX Turbo in for service. They recommended a transmission flush and a software upgrade designed to protect rod ends in the engine. The minor problem since then is occasional jerky shifting in the transmission. The big problem is a very noticeable reduction in power. The main reason I bought this car was for the good performance. I never counted on them coming back later and cutting power due to their design flaws. read more

Best experience I have ever had buying a vehicle! Eli was very knowledge, friendly, and just made the experience fun and not stressful. I can say the same with the service department as well. From the friendly phone calls I encountered to my experience there with Jason, it was all a breeze with my busy schedule. Kudos to them!! read more

Forget this place. Salesman couldn't find a car in the color I wanted, so he instead wasted my time by insulting me to my boyfriend and pressuring us to get water... go anywhere else. read more

Don't trust used sales team! Still dealing with issues 2 years later since the sales team lied about the status of the car. Go somewhere else! read more

Service Department - My 2006 KIA Sportage had to be towed in from Newland, NC because it would not start. I asked them to find out why it would not start, check the engine light, check the airbag light, check why it was popping when I made a turn and told them this started happening after I had an alignment done in Banner Elk, NC. I also told them the alignment had to be done after I hit a pothole. The Banner Elk mechanic had told me there was quite a bit of rust, we filed a claim, but the State Farm guy said I didn't need all the work. I asked Caleb to please check and see if there was anything else my car would need, because I didn't "want to put money in it if I can't get another 50,000 miles out of it". He called me back. The connector was bad and that's why it would not start, the sensors needed to be replaced and that's why the engine light was on, the airbag sensor needed to be replaced, and the estimate for all that was $1,401. He said they were still checking on what was causing the popping and looking over the rest of the car to see if I needed anything else. He would call me back. At that point I didn't want to fix anything until I knew what else was needed. He called me back and said they looked my car over, and the popping was a bolt that needed to be torqued. He said, that was all that was needed. I told him to go ahead and fix the engine sensors, the connector, and the popping. I never have passengers in my car, so the passenger seat airbag sensor is no big deal. They also fixed the gas tank straps which was a recall item. The total came to $1,584. It was around $1,545 after someone else adjusted the invoice. I picked my car up, drove back to Newland, and the third time I drove it after it had been there both trailing arms in the rear broke. Triple A will not tow it back down there and I can't drive it, so my husband called KIA Hickory to order the bushings and bolts. He ordered the trailing arms from NAPA. KIA Hickory sent the wrong parts. I drove those parts back down there and they ordered the correct parts. In the meantime, my car was put on the lift in Banner Elk, the whole rear end is broke and to fix it is more than the car is worth. I had already been told by Aaron, the Service Manager, that his guys should have caught this, and he apologized. Today, I get an email from Aaron's boss and he said, "An incorrect assessment might lead a customer to trade the vehicle prematurely or as in this case the failure to make the condition known to a customer would cause the customer to make repairs that had the customer known the condition the customer would not have made those repairs." That is copied and pasted straight out of William Porter's email to me. The rest of his email pretty much explained that a body shop, not mechanics, would find / fix trailing arms. That makes no sense. Aaron, the Service Manager, had already said his guys should have caught this, and I had already been told if I brought it back down there, they would fix it. The problem with that is, I can't drive it and Triple A will not tow it back down there again. read more

If you are interested in a Kia I suggest you look at ANY other Kia dealership other than this one. Tried for 2 weeks to get info on a car I was interested in and not one person was willing to call back even if you called their direct cell phone number. When you would call and get someone on the phone they would tell you they would check and call you back. No return call. Had a deal in place after 2 weeks of back and forth on a car and car was sold out from under me. Called first thing in the morning, told the salesman I had been working with I wanted the car at the deal we agreed to and he said "ok I'll tell my sales manager and will call you back in about an hour. No return call. I made repeated phone calls throughout the day and talked to numerous people. ALL of them said they would check on the situation and call back. NONE OF THEM DID! This was true of sales team, finance manager, Sales Manager & GM. Finally at the end of the day the salesman I originally called at the start of the morning called and said "sorry i've been busy, we sold the car today. Never mind we had a deal in place just waiting on a call back!!!! If you read the other reviews you'll notice a common theme.... no one cares to call a customer back. Even customers who are ready and willing to purchase a car. This dealership doesn't deserve any business and good luck to anyone trying to do business with them! read more