Discussion of Stinger paint quality (Was - Paint Chip Issue)

[MattRain]

I would definitely say I have a problem... each tape mark is a problem. (some of course could be rock chips. Been driving it for a little over a month). 12/17 build.

 

[bumble bee]

that blue is terrible. sorry to see or say that.

 

[Todd Piefer]

I would definitely say I have a problem... each tape mark is a problem. (some of course could be rock chips. Been driving it for a little over a month). 12/17 build.

How has it been washed? Any time spent in a "touchless" car wash?

 

[Grishbok]

Ok, so heres what's really getting me.

Let's say these aren't rock chips. Then the question becomes, what is the immediate cause of the paint loss? The blue vehicle posted above displays characteristics of debris that impacts the vehicle, impacting the high pressure areas of the vehicle with minimal to no paint loss in areas of low pressure. The bumper and front hood are not the only high pressure areas on the car though and there seems to be no paint loss in those other areas, at least none shown in the photos.

If we conclude that the chips shown on the blue vehicle are from debris, then the question becomes what is a reasonable tolerance for paint to resist chipping due to impact and debris? That is an interesting question and one the manufacturer needs to consider for sure.

 

[StingerGT68]

Ok, so heres what's really getting me.

Let's say these aren't rock chips. Then the question becomes, what is the immediate cause of the paint loss? The blue vehicle posted above displays characteristics of debris that impacts the vehicle, impacting the high pressure areas of the vehicle with minimal to no paint loss in areas of low pressure. The bumper and front hood are not the only high pressure areas on the car though and there seems to be no paint loss in those other areas, at least none shown in the photos.

If we conclude that the chips shown on the blue vehicle are from debris, then the question becomes what is a reasonable tolerance for paint to resist chipping due to impact and debris? That is an interesting question and one the manufacturer needs to consider for sure.

For me, the consideration is: I shouldn't have had chips on my fender literally the day after I brought the car home from the dealer. And then each day after that seeing more and more. Of course, s*** happens and road debris will chip your car but compared to my Sorento and 11-year-old Mustang, the Stinger is accumulating chips at an alarming rate.

Luckily, Kia has recognized this is a problem. Question now is: what will they do for owners affected? The "stop sales" are all very interesting.

 

[Yellow Stinger]

Ok, so heres what's really getting me.

Let's say these aren't rock chips. Then the question becomes, what is the immediate cause of the paint loss? The blue vehicle posted above displays characteristics of debris that impacts the vehicle, impacting the high pressure areas of the vehicle with minimal to no paint loss in areas of low pressure. The bumper and front hood are not the only high pressure areas on the car though and there seems to be no paint loss in those other areas, at least none shown in the photos.

If we conclude that the chips shown on the blue vehicle are from debris, then the question becomes what is a reasonable tolerance for paint to resist chipping due to impact and debris? That is an interesting question and one the manufacturer needs to consider for sure.

Don’t know that answer except that it’s way to extreme. Never had a problem like this with any other cars and I still drive the same roads.

 

[MattRain]

How has it been washed? Any time spent in a "touchless" car wash?

Due to where I live, car washing is a constant. Yes it has spent a few of those washes in a "Touchless" carwash unfortunately, but that many defects... ya no.

36 defects, 16 of which, if I was being nice, are from rocks (I live in the capital of rock-city...) but I should see this many and growing within a month and half of having the car.

 

[Todd Piefer]

Due to where I live, car washing is a constant. Yes it has spent a few of those washes in a "Touchless" carwash unfortunately, but that many defects... ya no.

36 defects, 16 of which, if I was being nice, are from rocks (I live in the capital of rock-city...) but I should see this many and growing within a month and half of having the car.

I believe that the paint process on the Microblue Stingers was bad enough that the force of a pressure wash (such as from touchless car washes) can separate the paint from the primer at "weak" spots. Some cars have more weak spots than others.

They MUST officially address this soon. It is real.

 

[oxide365]

never pressure washed the car, been hand washing it. i have had some chips which i thought were caused by kids or other cars.

 

[scharn]

Hmm see four peeps with ceramic silver having issues. My build date is 12/17 so I would likely be in that group as well but haven't noticed anything yet (got 1k miles). Going to go over it very closely this weekend. I've applied a ceramic coat but I highly doubt it would be strong enough to help bind the paint to the car.

 

[Toaster]

So some good news today. I live in PA and I received a call from California that I didn’t answer because I thought it was a bullshit call. I listen to the message and it was Kia America call in regards to my paint issue claim that I put in a month ago. I was asked questions and how I liked the car. I told him this is my 5th Kia in the last 10 years. Anyway they assured me that they are looking into all the problems with the paint and there will a resolution to come. I hope so. I love this car but when my lease is up, I will not buy it if it never gets resolved. I’m giving Kia the time to make things right. Just wanted to share.

I'm from PA as well and I initiated a complaint on Kia's website and got a case number. I received a call today and was told the first step is for me to bring my car to the dealership for them to take pictures. All they told me was the dealerships have received new information on paint since I have leased the car 2 months ago. Were you directed to take your car in for pictures or did you already have that done?

 

[Yellow Stinger]

I'm from PA as well and I initiated a complaint on Kia's website and got a case number. I received a call today and was told the first step is for me to bring my car to the dealership for them to take pictures. All they told me was the dealerships have received new information on paint since I have leased the car 2 months ago. Were you directed to take your car in for pictures or did you already have that done?

No, I was not. But I was asked to send pictures to the guy that called. Our car has really low miles, less the 800 and only a couple of small chips. But I see it heading my way. So at this point I am just waiting to see what Kia will do.

 

[Toaster]

No, I was not. But I was asked to send pictures to the guy that called. Our car has really low miles, less the 800 and only a couple of small chips. But I see it heading my way. So at this point I am just waiting to see what Kia will do.

Ah I see. I'm afraid the person I spoke with on the phone may have not been the best person to talk to about the issue. I originally missed the first call and had to call the main number to talk to someone. I am hoping the dealership just doesn't fill the chips and call it a day. I've counted around 6 chips when I gave the car a quick look and I'm only at 2500 miles.

Thanks for the response. I made an appointment for tomorrow, I will post an update then.

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

Greetings,

I’ve followed this thread for a while, and for the first two weeks from buying my car, I didn’t really notice any paint issue. Today, before I began hand washing my car, I did notice a handful of very small paint issues where on the hood and front end, there are very small areas that are chipped down to the primer or metal. I decided not to wash the car, obviously. Also, I changed my selection on the poll in this thread. I took pictures. What do you all suggest I do now? Btw: US Kia Stinger GT AWD Limited Edition in Sunset Yellow. It is a lease.

 

[MattRain]

Greetings,

I’ve followed this thread for a while, and for the first two weeks from buying my car, I didn’t really notice any paint issue. Today, before I began hand washing my car, I did notice a handful of very small paint issues where on the hood and front end, there are very small areas that are chipped down to the primer or metal. I decided not to wash the car, obviously. Also, I changed my selection on the poll in this thread. I took pictures. What do you all suggest I do now? Btw: US Kia Stinger GT AWD Limited Edition in Sunset Yellow. It is a lease.

Call KIA HQ and get a claim number before taking it to the dealership. 1-800-333-4KIA (4542). HQ will ask you to take it to the dealership for pictures.

 

[Kato_the_kia_stinger]

Do I have any rights as a leasee? Can they just choose to repossess the car if they want? I’d hate to have my car be recalled or something and not be able to have it. I love the thing.

 

[Bobr]

What a hostility to "touchless" car wash... if car painted right, "touchless" car wash should NOT make any damage normally.

Btw here's photos from one Russian owner, on his plastic front piece:

 

[AV8R]

Ouch nasty! Is it grey or white?

 

[Bobr]

Ouch nasty! Is it grey or white?

White + damaged dark chrome (in other place, replacement already agreed by warranty).

 

[Bobr]

I don't really understand... it was launched on Korean market more than a year ago already, right? KIA knew about a problem almost from the start. Year passed, nothing fixed, process not changed. WTF?

Btw here somebody from AU said that he has metal hood instead of aluminum and has no issues. That means he may have car which painted differently? Different markets get different hoods?