Automobile Magazine Long Term Test Report (Feb. 2019)

[RVance]

Short version: They love the Stinger (even with a couple of glitches that showed up).

https://www.automobilemag.com/news/...C5F5E6BF363E7C1F0D2212A1B344AFFE602F5A2B46982

 

[mldavis2]

Yes, interesting comment on the steering that I noticed when I was playing with the nanny toys. Unless you are fighting a stiff crosswind or a heavily crowned road, on a flat divided lane highway, the car tracks to straight that the electric steering motor doesn't know that you have a grip on the wheel. But I'm an old dinosaur and I like to drive the car, so I turn the assist off and just leave the audible warning on.
I have 17,000 miles on my GT2 and so far nothing is wrong. On the very coldest days I was getting a creak at the sunroof, but cleaning and lubing (silicone) the gasket and supports took care of that. I absolutely love the car.

 

[eljay]

Decent review. Such a different view from the recent Car and Driver longterm review, which is probably somewhere on the Forum, but I'll reference it here: How Reliable Is the 2018 Kia Stinger GT?

Maybe the C&D reviewer was being ironic, or maybe he hadn't filled he monthly quota for angry reader responses when he said, "if the Stinger has a great sin, it's that of failing to trigger any emotion among its constituents." Or maybe the people at C&D just don't like driving.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Decent review. Such a different view from the recent Car and Driver longterm review, which is probably somewhere on the Forum, but I'll reference it here: How Reliable Is the 2018 Kia Stinger GT?

Maybe the C&D reviewer was being ironic, or maybe he hadn't filled he monthly quota for angry reader responses when he said, "if the Stinger has a great sin, it's that of failing to trigger any emotion among its constituents." Or maybe the people at C&D just don't like driving.

You quoted him! It was a moronic thing to say, utterly devoid of common sense.

"Warped rotors", heh! Here it is again. There is no such thing. Deposits, yes.

The adventures speeding resonate; as also the talk with the cop. A warning. Sounds familiar. Lucky boy.

 

[Waynerm002]

Good to hear KIA is looking into the brake issue, let's hope they come out with some better gear for the car.

 

[Kamauxx]

Good to hear KIA is looking into the brake issue, let's hope they come out with some better gear for the car.

I wonder if they've fixed the issue before the 2019s were released. The way the article is worded it seems like it's a problem they have no good solution for (yet).

 

[RVance]

I wonder if they've fixed the issue before the 2019s were released. The way the article is worded it seems like it's a problem they have no good solution for (yet).

Brembos should not be warping.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Brembos should not be warping.

From previous lengthy discussions about this, Brembo is only the calipers, not the discs or the pads. And the discs don't warp, they get deposits on them; even possibly, in rare cases, MIGHT get uneven surface hardness from heating up. But they won't warp from street driving; even racing they'd have to be subjected to c. 1500F before anything like warping the disc out of true is even possible.

 

[Kamauxx]

Brembos should not be warping.

The problem is with the pads leaving deposits on the rotors. After owning 26 cars over 21 years (fun fact: Stinger was my 25th car and bought 20 years after I got my first car. It's my anniversary car. ) the Stinger was the first I've had with such a problem. My guess is Kia cheaped out on the pads to recoup the cost of the big red advertisements.

I wonder if we will start reading about this with 2019s or if Kia has already found a permanent way to correct the problem.

 

[RVance]

From previous lengthy discussions about this, Brembo is only the calipers, not the discs or the pads. And the discs don't warp, they get deposits on them; even possibly, in rare cases, MIGHT get uneven surface hardness from heating up. But they won't warp from street driving; even racing they'd have to be subjected to c. 1500F before anything like warping the disc out of true is even possible.

I was not privy to the previous lengthy discussions mentioned, and the reviewer who drove the car said it was a warped rotor issue. I can understand how deposit build-up would exhibit the same pedal pulsing. Wouldn't a "permanent solution" be to upgrade the pads?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Wouldn't a "permanent solution" be to upgrade the pads?

Yes. And that is what we are waiting for: the European spec pads or something just as good. I haven't had the slightest trouble with my brakes. But then, I brake like a grandpa, early and light.

 

[mldavis2]

I think the rotor warping is being blown out of proportion. The easiest way to determine if a rotor is warped is to use a dial indicator. We hear about warped rotors but I wonder how many of them really are warped. No problems here at 17,000 miles.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Mine is starting to develop the vibration while braking at 6,000miles. I think I'm going to try to re-bed the brakes and see if that fixes it.

 

[Kamauxx]

Wouldn't a "permanent solution" be to upgrade the pads?

Kia should sell the cars with more compatible pads. Owners shouldn't have to upgrade the pads on new cars.

Kia telling the author that they are aware of the issue means this is something that is being reported by multiple dealerships, so it isn't something that people are just making up or blowing out of proportion. That's good news because it gives us hope that they will eventually unfuck themselves and offer a pad that's as good as the caliper.

 

[RVance]

Kia should sell the cars with more compatible pads. Owners shouldn't have to upgrade the pads on new cars.

Kia telling the author that they are aware of the issue means this is something that is being reported by multiple dealerships, so it isn't something that people are just making up or blowing out of proportion. That's good news because it gives us hope that they will eventually unfuck themselves and offer a pad that's as good as the caliper.

Yea, I was referring to Kia's response that they were seeking a solution. It seemed obvious what they should do.

 

[Ty Davis]

I think the rotor warping is being blown out of proportion. The easiest way to determine if a rotor is warped is to use a dial indicator. We hear about warped rotors but I wonder how many of them really are warped. No problems here at 17,000 miles.

I disagree. I trust that people actually are being truthful when they say their pedal/steering vibrates when braking. Any way you slice it, that should not be happening. Now what the actual cause of that issue is (i.e. pads/rotors/deposits/etc.) is up for debate and most likely varies on a case by case basis.

Whether we call it warping or not, it is still an issue for far too many owners here.
My Stinger doesn’t do it... yet. It may never do it, or it may start tomorrow. Whatever the case, we can’t negate the experiences of others who do get the vibration in the brake pedal and steering wheel while braking.

Hanging around the forums quickly provides a *very* clear picture of what issues seem to be prevalent in a particular vehicle. Not all cars will be affected, but you can definitely see a pattern of issues that are experienced more than others. This applies to not only the Stinger, but to any car.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I disagree. I trust that people actually are being truthful when they say their pedal/steering vibrates when braking. Any way you slice it, that should not be happening. Now what the actual cause of that issue is (i.e. pads/rotors/deposits/etc.) is up for debate and most likely varies on a case by case basis.

Whether we call it warping or not, it is still an issue for far too many owners here.
My Stinger doesn’t do it... yet. It may never do it, or it may start tomorrow. Whatever the case, we can’t negate the experiences of others who do get the vibration in the brake pedal and steering wheel while braking.

Hanging around the forums quickly provides a *very* clear picture of what issues seem to be prevalent in a particular vehicle. Not all cars will be affected, but you can definitely see a pattern of issues that are experienced more than others. This applies to not only the Stinger, but to any car.

You'll have to point out to me anyone on this forum who called into question the "assertion" of another when s/he said "my brakes vibrate and feel uneven." The only point of debate is what is the cause. The near consensus is that the blame is the brake pads on the Stinger; with a secondary blame on the rotors for not being high enough quality.

There is not a big problem with the Stinger's brakes. Some people have issues at varying miles in. We will see them come here and vent and ask questions.