New (to me) 2018 GT2, couple small problems

[Knowa]

Hey guys,

Recently bought a 2018 GT2 in HiChroma Red with 17000 miles and although the car seemed like it was in fantastic shape at the dealership during my test drives, it seems I have run into a couple issues after daily driving the car for about a month now. I love the car so far but there are a couple things that are just kind of frustrating to deal with since this is my first "adult" purchase.

Issue 1: My radio just drops out for a split second. Can happen 1 time in 10 minutes or 10 times in 5 minutes, hell sometimes I do whole 30 minute drives without noticing it. It doesn't matter what mode the infotainment system is in (bluetooth, SiriusXM, USB audio) and happens at all volume levels and in every drive mode. I have seen a pretty big thread on here that doesn't seem to exactly pin down the answer, but I have seen suggestions on getting the SPDIF wire replaced (out of warranty by 1 month), head unit replacement (also out of warranty by 1 month), and oddly enough getting ignition coils and plugs replaced. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? I have thought about pulling my plugs and swapping with HKS or Denso plugs anyways, but I am curious if anyone else that hasn't seen that thread has experienced issues like that.

Issue 2: Just recently within the last week or so, occasionally on a start up or shut off, there's a pretty fast and repetitive clicking sound inside my dash for 2-5 seconds. It honestly kind of sounds like a woodpecker is beating the tar out of a piece of plastic inside my dash. My old mustang had a similar issue with the little AC actuator inside the dash dying but that is a part I expect to die around the 12 year mark, not a car that is less than 4 years old and has less than 20,000 miles.

Issue 3: This one is relatively minor but the small strips of body between the arms of the sun roof and the side pillars is cracking similar to an eggshell would crack if you smacked a hardboiled egg with a spoon. I plan on getting this wrapped black anyways, but also seems like an odd thing to wear out in 3 years.

I feel like I'm being picky about some things but I think I am just slightly frustrated I wasn't able to catch these things during my test drives. I love the car to death and it's been super fun and I plan on modding the snot out of it, I just wanted to see if there were any quick fixes to some of these issues.

 

[vipeboy2000]

Hey guys,

Recently bought a 2018 GT2 in HiChroma Red with 17000 miles and although the car seemed like it was in fantastic shape at the dealership during my test drives, it seems I have run into a couple issues after daily driving the car for about a month now. I love the car so far but there are a couple things that are just kind of frustrating to deal with since this is my first "adult" purchase.

Issue 1: My radio just drops out for a split second. Can happen 1 time in 10 minutes or 10 times in 5 minutes, hell sometimes I do whole 30 minute drives without noticing it. It doesn't matter what mode the infotainment system is in (bluetooth, SiriusXM, USB audio) and happens at all volume levels and in every drive mode. I have seen a pretty big thread on here that doesn't seem to exactly pin down the answer, but I have seen suggestions on getting the SPDIF wire replaced (out of warranty by 1 month), head unit replacement (also out of warranty by 1 month), and oddly enough getting ignition coils and plugs replaced. Does anyone have any experience with this issue? I have thought about pulling my plugs and swapping with HKS or Denso plugs anyways, but I am curious if anyone else that hasn't seen that thread has experienced issues like that.

Issue 2: Just recently within the last week or so, occasionally on a start up or shut off, there's a pretty fast and repetitive clicking sound inside my dash for 2-5 seconds. It honestly kind of sounds like a woodpecker is beating the tar out of a piece of plastic inside my dash. My old mustang had a similar issue with the little AC actuator inside the dash dying but that is a part I expect to die around the 12 year mark, not a car that is less than 4 years old and has less than 20,000 miles.

Issue 3: This one is relatively minor but the small strips of body between the arms of the sun roof and the side pillars is cracking similar to an eggshell would crack if you smacked a hardboiled egg with a spoon. I plan on getting this wrapped black anyways, but also seems like an odd thing to wear out in 3 years.

I feel like I'm being picky about some things but I think I am just slightly frustrated I wasn't able to catch these things during my test drives. I love the car to death and it's been super fun and I plan on modding the snot out of it, I just wanted to see if there were any quick fixes to some of these issues.

Issue 1, I have seen other people with this issue, but don't have any experience with it myself.
2, is it actually in your dash? or under the hood on top of the engine, this is most likely the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) and is common on all direct injected engines for about 10 seconds.
3, this issue has definitely been on this forum, many people have had this issue very early on and had the pieces replaced under warranty, many just wrap or paint as the issue may come back since these pieces appear to have a rubberized type of coating that just doesn't lend itself well to paint.. some have even sanded the coating off and left them as polished metal pieces i believe...

 

[MerlintheMad]

Howdy and welcome, since you "revealed" yourself.

You wouldn't notice 1. and 2. on a test drive unless they occurred right then.

3. I'm guessing that you just didn't notice the "drip rails" starting to "eggshell": it wouldn't manifest and get that bad in only a month. They come black (unpainted) and look good black: If I were to paint them, gloss black would be my choice, to match the other "piano black" accents all over the car. But maybe a high quality ceramic coat over the unpainted black "rubber" would look just as good? Since they are out of warranty by now, having a body shop match the HCR would cost more than going with a gloss black contrast which you could do yourself. I don't know how much replacement strips are, but I seem to recall someone saying they aren't expensive (which would be a pleasant surprise, if true). Maybe a body/detail shop could strip/prep your existing drip rails and spray them gloss black and it wouldn't cost much: if less than buying and painting new pieces, then obviously that would be the way to go.

 

[SnowyGT2]

Does #2 sound like this:

I had the happen twice within the same month over 1 1/2 years of ownership. At the same time the infotainment screen would not operate/display. Weird hopefully it doesn't happen again.

 

[Knowa]

Issue 1, I have seen other people with this issue, but don't have any experience with it myself.
2, is it actually in your dash? or under the hood on top of the engine, this is most likely the HPFP (high pressure fuel pump) and is common on all direct injected engines for about 10 seconds.
3, this issue has definitely been on this forum, many people have had this issue very early on and had the pieces replaced under warranty, many just wrap or paint as the issue may come back since these pieces appear to have a rubberized type of coating that just doesn't lend itself well to paint.. some have even sanded the coating off and left them as polished metal pieces i believe...

2. I am fairly certain it's in my dash. I think if it was in my engine bay the sound would be a bit more muffled. Next time I am able to catch it on camera I will record it and upload it to take some of the mystery away.

3. That seems like a terrible design for an external part but oh well haha. I am 99% sure I am going to get it wrapped so it's no big deal. I figured it would have been a plastic or metal piece, not some weird rubber.

 

[Knowa]

Does #2 sound like this:

I had the happen twice within the same month over 1 1/2 years of ownership. At the same time the infotainment screen would not operate/display. Weird hopefully it doesn't happen again.

It does not. My issue also lasts from 3-5 seconds, sometimes longer, but never longer than 10 seconds. I will hopefully catch it on video when I go to leave work today and I will upload it tonight so we can all hear it. It doesn't appear to affect my infotainment system whatsoever.

 

[vipeboy2000]

It does not. My issue also lasts from 3-5 seconds, sometimes longer, but never longer than 10 seconds. I will hopefully catch it on video when I go to leave work today and I will upload it tonight so we can all hear it. It doesn't appear to affect my infotainment system whatsoever.

hmm.. it could be one of the blend door actuator gear misaligned or messed up... i know they generally move when the car is started in most cars. maybe try cycling through the different modes of hvac of recirc/fresh air, defrost/face/feet, or turn the hvac off and on while the car is on and see if the noise occurs at any of those times.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I figured it would have been a plastic or metal piece, not some weird rubber.

The drip rails are steel with a rubberized coating. @rocket23 took his down to the metal and polished them and then gave them a clear coat: which looks really good in the pics of his Silky Silver.

 

[monusa]

This one is relatively minor but the small strips of body between the arms of the sun roof and the side pillars is cracking similar to an eggshell would crack if you smacked a hardboiled egg with a spoon.

Had an '18 Stinger, Micro Blue, with the same issue. Believe this to be an issue on '18 model yr Stingers. Mine were replaced under warranty but if a wrap is in the cards, won't matter..

 

[Knowa]

I guess I have to wait to link the video. I am not able to post links until I have been a member for a while.

 

[Phazeshifta]

I have the same dash tick issue that you have in my 2019 GT1. It can happen both on startup and turning the car off, and happens more in the cold weather. It went away for months but has come back recently. It never lasts longer than 5-10 seconds, usually right around 5 seconds. It's a rather scary sound, but once it goes away, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong.

 

[Knowa]

I have the same dash tick issue that you have in my 2019 GT1. It can happen both on startup and turning the car off, and happens more in the cold weather. It went away for months but has come back recently. It never lasts longer than 5-10 seconds, usually right around 5 seconds. It's a rather scary sound, but once it goes away, there doesn't seem to be anything wrong.

I actually ended up taking my car into the dealership to have them fix it under warranty and they ended up replacing the AC blend actuator motor. Unfortunately it has come back less than a week later so that doesn't seem to be the fix.

I have noticed that it seems to happen more often when it's super humid outside like a really cold foggy morning or just f*ckin piss hot when I am leaving work for the day.

I love my car but it's really awkward to show my friends but then I have to preface my enthusiasm with "oh it does this weird thing, and this thing does this clicking noise when you start it but it goes away after a couple seconds, and the sunroof rattles, but it's an awesome car I promise."

 

[Kazz]

My guess on #2 is your fan hitting something for a few seconds. You might try turning off all the air handling next time before you shut off the car. Then see if the noise is there at next startup.

As close as you are to warranty, you might talk to a dealership about these issues and see what they're willing to do for you. Good luck!

 

[Knowa]

My guess on #2 is your fan hitting something for a few seconds. You might try turning off all the air handling next time before you shut off the car. Then see if the noise is there at next startup.

As close as you are to warranty, you might talk to a dealership about these issues and see what they're willing to do for you. Good luck!

I know, I already contacted my service rep at the dealership and she said they would take it in and try and figure it out and give me a rental but I've been putting it off since it was just in the shop for 2 weeks. I need to find the official expiration date of my warranty just to make sure.

Edit: Just checked, my 2nd owner warranty is due to expire on 4/28/2023 so I have a bit of time left.

 

[Dess]

Issue 1 is a known TSB for the Harmon Kardon stereo. They'll replace it under warranty. They did for my '18 GT2.

 

[Kazz]

Issue 1 is a known TSB for the Harmon Kardon stereo. They'll replace it under warranty. They did for my '18 GT2.

Do you have any information on that TSB??

 

[Dess]

Do you have any information on that TSB??

Kia TSB PS573_R1 — 2018 Stinger | CarComplaints.com

Kia TSB PS573_R1: Technical Service Bulletin for the 2018 Kia Stinger.

www.carcomplaints.com

Report that as your issue and enjoy the new stereo. In addition to moving to rear, mine also would cut out especially when changing audio sources.