I’m not sure what the spec is with Kia, but with GM, the oil consumption is 1qt per 2k miles. Your friend needs to do a better job at changing the oil and keeping the oil level checked. The level should be checked every time that every fuel fill up.

They use the same exact transmission

If they installed the battery wrong your car would not only not run, it wouldn’t start. So there’s no way possible that they installed the battery wrong and you’ve been driving it all this time. Now it is possible for them to have installed the wrong battery ( if your vehicle requires an AGM battery, and they installed a non AGM battery).

The tie rods should never come close to hitting the wheel. Something is really off. And it’s not by a few micrometers.

You need a capable scan tool that can read the DTC’s for the theft system. The DTCs will give a starting point and you’ll be able to go from there.