Starter problems of the 2013 Kia Motor Sportage

While driving at 65mph my kia Sportage went dead. I pulled over onto the side of the road. I tried to start it again but it would not start. After that, smoke started coming out from under the hood. The kia was towed to the kia dealership and checked by mechanics, who said that the rod bearing went bad and it seized the engine. The starter was also fried in the process. Kia agreed to replace the parts but would not agree to pay the approximately $2500 labor cost. The vehicle still sits at the dealership awaiting repair. It's been over 2 months now. I plan to pursue having kia pay for the labor as well. I now owe $7000 on a car that will not run.

The design of the ignition key is faulty. This vehicle only starts with a proximity interface between the interior starter button and the remote key which is attached to a manual key for the doors. The manual door key attaches to a key ring and the expensive reomte key attaches to the manual key. On 5 different ocasions while walking or exiting my car the remote key has seperated from the manual key and fallen to the ground. I have been lucky and been aware of this when it has happened. This could easliy leave me stranded and in danger due to this design. The key ring holder should be attached the remote device and not the manual key. The dealer offered no solution.