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

[MerlintheMad]

It is definitely a bigger problem...in fact, I think it’s huge and Kia and everyone that bought a 2018 Stinger is going to have a mess. Check out the FB post attached. Right now, Kia is honoring severe paint warranty claims, but I believe they will stop honoring claims when they fix the issue. This is a universal problem for all Stingers regardless of color. I’m particularly concerned because I barely drive my black GT1 and I already have chipping. It will be years before I have enough of a problem to warrant a claim which by then, I suspect they will not honor. They have to honor severe cases now because ALL the early manufactured Stingers have the issue and how are they going to sell the 2018s if it gets out they have a problem? They want this QUIET! What’s your car going to be worth if this gets out in the general public?! I got a great deal on a used GT1 and as much as I love the car, I am seriously considering selling if I can get close to even. Wish I never bought the car!!! Check out this FB post below that outlines the real issue.

I wish you'd never bought your car too. Disappointment is dreadful.

However, the Facebook scan has issues of its own, repeating third party rumor and making a blatantly incorrect assertion about "aluminum" hoods. This paint failure in Stingers is not, by current evidence, a "huge" problem numbers-wise: look at how few respondents there are to the attached poll, which is instantly available at the top of the search results on Google when you search with "kia stinger paint failure". Right at the top: that means that a "universal problem for all Stingers regardless of color" would be searched by thousands of Stinger owners long before now, and there would be literally hundreds of participants on this poll. Instead, since June 5th, we have a total of only 49 "yes" and 37 "no" votes. Two votes have been added since the weekend, it was 47 to 37 then. So the current indicator is very little concern over paint failures so far, and only a puny increase in "yes" votes in the last week or so. My vote was a "no without paint protection". The poll has hardly moved since then.

Why you leap to assert that "ALL manufactured Stingers have the issue" is the question I have. You have no evidence for making such a conclusion. Reading this thread is a concentration of angst: anyone searching online for enlightenment to their chipping, paint failure problem is going to be instantly directed HERE. And yes, virtually ALL Stingers talked about HERE have paint failure issues. But this thread and its poll are not attracting large traffic, ergo, not ALL Stingers have the issue of paint failure.

Now, cheap paint? Probably a lot cheaper than is typically applied to the prestigious brands. But is the paint of poor quality or poorly applied? Not typically. It is cheaper, in thickness (toughness) most likely. I don't know, but suspect.

A brand new custom paint job to replace the factory one would actually increase the resale value of the car. Not a "Macco", of course! Something valued in the thousands of dollars and layered on lacquer, not a single coat of enamel, for instance. Something that is actually better than anything a mass produced car is going to have, no matter which brand we are talking about. If I continue to enjoy this car as much as I do already, it will be something to look forward to: giving it a loving paint job that my level of enjoyment is worthy of. As I said, lemons into lemonade.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

It could be: if the rubbing headlight assembly theory raised earlier in this thread is the cause of your headlight area chipping. That would indicate a less than tough paint job on the Stinger, but not necessarily an actively failing paint job anywhere else.

Agreed. However, not a fully "warm and fuzzy" on the rest of the car either

Perhaps we can see when KIA removes my PPF whether or not the paint comes off with it

I am hopeful its due to rubbing only at this point.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Agreed. However, not a fully "warm and fuzzy" on the rest of the car either

Perhaps we can see when KIA removes my PPF whether or not the paint comes off with it

I am hopeful its due to rubbing only at this point.

(Edit: If I had a bra in front and was worried as you reasonably are, I'd check out the paint just above the bra. If nothing is peeling along or near that edge, it's reasonable to expect that the paint under the bra is not in trouble either.)

And I am hopeful because of my Silky Silver. See? No Silky Silver "yes" votes, ... yet. And, I have the evidence of my bungle the first week into my car: I pulled off the three anti-chipping patches in front of my RR wheel. If peeling paint protection film off was over a crap paint job, one ready to fail by flaking, peeling those very sturdy clear film patches off would have brought up pieces of paint too.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

(Edit: If I had a bra in front and was worried as you reasonably are, I'd check out the paint just above the bra. If nothing is peeling along or near that edge, it's reasonable to expect that the paint under the bra is not in trouble either.)

And I am hopeful because of my Silky Silver. See? No Silky Silver "yes" votes, ... yet. And, I have the evidence of my bungle the first week into my car: I pulled off the three anti-chipping patches in front of my RR wheel. If peeling paint protection film off was over a crap paint job, one ready to fail by flaking, peeling those very sturdy clear film patches off would have brought up pieces of paint too.

There are no front fascia NOT covered in PPF. The only forward facing paint not covered would be the A Pillars.

Good to note on the plastic paint patches. Those are installed very similar to PPF. Again, i think i may let my headlight flakes ride until the 24 month mark, then repair, which would include removal of PPF on lower bumper and fascia and see if any other paint comes off with it! This will most certainly be the route if Kia will NOT pay for re-install of the PPF also.

 

[PieceOfChum]

Not disagreeing with you, but how would someone even know that?

I use a paint meter whenever I buy a used car to see if it has been re-sprayed. It works by measuring the distance between the meter sensor and the metal underneath. When a car is repainted normally the thickness is much greater than what is attained in factory conditions and it is usually pretty significant. So you can measure if a car has been re-sprayed and then people who do this simply assume the car has been in an accident. I think however as long as there is some paper trail from Kia this won't matter much to anyone who really wants the car as long as it can be explained.

 

[forzanerazzurri]

I use a paint meter whenever I buy a used car to see if it has been re-sprayed. It works by measuring the distance between the meter sensor and the metal underneath. When a car is repainted normally the thickness is much greater than what is attained in factory conditions and it is usually pretty significant. So you can measure if a car has been re-sprayed and then people who do this simply assume the car has been in an accident. I think however as long as there is some paper trail from Kia this won't matter much to anyone who really wants the car as long as it can be explained.

Pretty easy to spot resprays with the naked eye, even from good shops. A gauge can definitely confirm. It is what it is. If you like the car dont worry about it, but i totally disagree that potential buyers dont care and will not be a bit enticed to lowball you because there is a paper trail from Kia. In fact, Id love to see how the process goes for trade ins. Probably not well.

 

[StingerGT68]

Pretty easy to spot resprays with the naked eye, even from good shops. A gauge can definitely confirm. It is what it is. If you like the car dont worry about it, but i totally disagree that potential buyers dont care and will not be a bit enticed to lowball you because there is a paper trail from Kia. In fact, Id love to see how the process goes for trade ins. Probably not well.

I disagree, of all the cars I've sold not one has asked about the paint or whipped out a paint thickness meter. And trade-ins probably even less-so...when I traded my BMW for the Stinger, all they really did was a walk-around and a VIN check.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

I use a paint meter whenever I buy a used car to see if it has been re-sprayed. It works by measuring the distance between the meter sensor and the metal underneath. When a car is repainted normally the thickness is much greater than what is attained in factory conditions and it is usually pretty significant. So you can measure if a car has been re-sprayed and then people who do this simply assume the car has been in an accident. I think however as long as there is some paper trail from Kia this won't matter much to anyone who really wants the car as long as it can be explained.

Is there a reasonably priced gauge...i am seeing $100s for prices and that is more than i am gonna spend for curiosity sake. With regard to the paper trail, for those that care, it will certainly matter. BMW often fetch higher resale if one can show a nice paper trail. Its proof of what carfax or a vin search can pop up.

I disagree, of all the cars I've sold not one has asked about the paint or whipped out a paint thickness meter. And trade-ins probably even less-so...when I traded my BMW for the Stinger, all they really did was a walk-around and a VIN check.

Agreed, never had anyone question this on any car with only exception being BMW M models of mine. People are paper trail hungry on those. They essentially want to see proof that any "known issues" have been addressed.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

It is definitely a bigger problem...in fact, I think it’s huge and Kia and everyone that bought a 2018 Stinger is going to have a mess. Check out the FB post attached. Right now, Kia is honoring severe paint warranty claims, but I believe they will stop honoring claims when they fix the issue. This is a universal problem for all Stingers regardless of color. I’m particularly concerned because I barely drive my black GT1 and I already have chipping. It will be years before I have enough of a problem to warrant a claim which by then, I suspect they will not honor. They have to honor severe cases now because ALL the early manufactured Stingers have the issue and how are they going to sell the 2018s if it gets out they have a problem? They want this QUIET! What’s your car going to be worth if this gets out in the general public?! I got a great deal on a used GT1 and as much as I love the car, I am seriously considering selling if I can get close to even. Wish I never bought the car!!! Check out this FB post below that outlines the real issue.

This sounds exactly like what our Australian member said. Did this come from KIA and if so when did they say all colors? We cannot twist what we do not know.

 

[Diggerdale]

This sounds exactly like what our Australian member said. Did this come from KIA and if so when did they say all colors? We cannot twist what we do not know.

I deleted my post because I did get my information from a FB post. That said, I have plenty of questions that i’ll send to you in a private message.

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

@Diggerdale To your post earlier, I agree, and am starting to regret my purchase as well. I put 9K down on the car as I'm buying it not leasing. I've subsequently put 2K into the paint protection and dozens of hours of my time into the car, and have been making payments since January, so I'm pretty heavily invested (as I'm sure most here are).

As an aside (to anyone reading) when someone quotes you an "out the door" price, what does that mean to you?

Anyways, Kia got another payment out of me today, good for them.

Earlier this morning I was "sorta" reached out to by the service manager of the dealership I took my car to two weeks ago. My phone didn't ring (I suppose I could have been out of service momentarily even though I was at home at the time), I only know because I got a notification for a new voicemail. Basically said to call him back about the paint issue, left me his office and cell number. I called him back immediately, and every couple of hours since at both lines. Left a voicemail on each number, haven't been able to reach him all day. Even asked the receptionist at the dealer to check (or have someone check) if he was even still there and she just transferred me to his number before I could get another word in. I'm only relatively close to that dealership twice a week, so I was trying to get something done as every time it always seems to get put off another week with these people. Last I heard from the Kia USA rep that was there two weeks ago was that he had forwarded his pictures to some engineers and they were looking into it. That was a little more than a week ago.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Is there someone I can talk to who might actually have answers? The VIP line has only helped so much in that regard (Jamie didn't call me back either like she said she would), and I still don't know whats going to happen regarding my paint protection even if they want to repaint. Black is the third highest color here now at the time of this writing. Is all of this really because they still haven't wanted to publicly say it's all colors (or all early makes) and not just the ones that have (obviously) been the most popular? Why does it seem like it's taking my case that much longer or that I'm receiving that much more resistance to getting answers than others here have?

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Gentlemen.....Lot of red tape here. This will not be fixed overnight. This is not a case by case fix. As we know this is widespread. I am sure KIA is looking at everything in detail. KIA wants to get this right. You will not see a quick solution.

 

[AV8R]

It would be nice to know if it was a bad production run and if Kia has fixed it for current builds.

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Gentlemen.....Lot of red tape here. This will not be fixed overnight. This is not a case by case fix. As we know this is widespread. I am sure KIA is looking at everything in detail. KIA wants to get this right. You will not see a quick solution.

I agree, but, my case has been open for almost a month and Kia (in one form or another) has known about my car specifically since at least early February. Is getting any information on a case by case basis too much to ask? I'm not asking for a sweeping recall, just some info on my case specifically. They haven't even acknowledged mine as having a problem, the best I've gotten was the concerned look on the Kia USA rep's face when he saw it in person, and that some engineers were looking into it.

 

[Tonkabob]

@Diggerdale To your post earlier, I agree, and am starting to regret my purchase as well. I put 9K down on the car as I'm buying it not leasing. I've subsequently put 2K into the paint protection and dozens of hours of my time into the car, and have been making payments since January, so I'm pretty heavily invested (as I'm sure most here are).

As an aside (to anyone reading) when someone quotes you an "out the door" price, what does that mean to you?

Anyways, Kia got another payment out of me today, good for them.

Earlier this morning I was "sorta" reached out to by the service manager of the dealership I took my car to two weeks ago. My phone didn't ring (I suppose I could have been out of service momentarily even though I was at home at the time), I only know because I got a notification for a new voicemail. Basically said to call him back about the paint issue, left me his office and cell number. I called him back immediately, and every couple of hours since at both lines. Left a voicemail on each number, haven't been able to reach him all day. Even asked the receptionist at the dealer to check (or have someone check) if he was even still there and she just transferred me to his number before I could get another word in. I'm only relatively close to that dealership twice a week, so I was trying to get something done as every time it always seems to get put off another week with these people. Last I heard from the Kia USA rep that was there two weeks ago was that he had forwarded his pictures to some engineers and they were looking into it. That was a little more than a week ago.

I'm not sure what to do at this point. Is there someone I can talk to who might actually have answers? The VIP line has only helped so much in that regard (Jamie didn't call me back either like she said she would), and I still don't know whats going to happen regarding my paint protection even if they want to repaint. Black is the third highest color here now at the time of this writing. Is all of this really because they still haven't wanted to publicly say it's all colors (or all early makes) and not just the ones that have (obviously) been the most popular? Why does it seem like it's taking my case that much longer or that I'm receiving that much more resistance to getting answers than others here have?

I am also sitting at week 2 after pictures taken and waiting on word back from Korea. I'm calling the vip kia line weekly for updates.

 

[gilthanis1]

I agree, but, my case has been open for almost a month and Kia (in one form or another) has known about my car specifically since at least early February. Is getting any information on a case by case basis too much to ask? I'm not asking for a sweeping recall, just some info on my case specifically. They haven't even acknowledged mine as having a problem, the best I've gotten was the concerned look on the Kia USA rep's face when he saw it in person, and that some engineers were looking into it.

I am also sitting at week 2 after pictures taken and waiting on word back from Korea. I'm calling the vip kia line weekly for updates.

I am well over a month since I first had pictures taken, left my car at the body shop for 2 days so they could clean it and take more pictures. The only information I was told from Brad Holt, National Manager of Consumer Affairs for KMA, was that the US and Korea are working on this issue and a solution. I was not told that they are working on a solution for MY CASE, but for a solution that will help everyone affected.

This is way to big for a case by case review/solution/fix as we would never get anything accomplished. We are all waiting to hear from Kia and find out what is going to happen. It's not going to happen overnight and will take a little while to get sorted. We can still drive the car and enjoy it, so be thankful we arent sitting around with blown valve trains and turbos waiting for them to figure out what to do. We bought this car to enjoy it and we can, so do it until they have a fix for us.

I have absolutely no clue how a FB post would ever be considered any type of information that should be used to judge what is going on with our cars. That post was SPECIFIC to Australia and was even posted in the AUS Stinger Owners group. I have personally spoken with Brendan from AUS and can only verify what he has posted. There was only 1 stop sale here in the US for Micro Blue and Yellow, but the Micro Blue has been lifted. Yellow is still under a Stop Sale (please correct if I am wrong @KiaofMuncie ) but it seems a lot of these shady dealers are still trying to push them and act like they haven't heard about it.

@IBurton I would be interested to hear what that service manager wants to tell you, as several posts up another member even stated that Kia told them the dealers have NO say so in this or what will be done to fix it. If I hear anything else, I will be more than happy to share. I will also pass along your frustrations to Brad, the next time I speak with him as you have had more issues than just dealing with paint, and it shouldn't be that way.

 

[Tonkabob]

Gentlemen.....Lot of red tape here. This will not be fixed overnight. This is not a case by case fix. As we know this is widespread. I am sure KIA is looking at everything in detail. KIA wants to get this right. You will not see a quick solution.

When i opened my case 2 weeks ago the VIP rep said they were aware of some social media buzz on paint issues but Kia was going to consider every issue on a case by case basis. I think i called the day of or day after the stop sale. If you have an issue open a case . Don't wait for a recall that may never happen.

 

[AV8R]

If this got out to the media Kia is going to be very annoyed, they should make a decision and fast.

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

@Tonkabob interesting since you have the blue, I thought it was those of us without yellow/blue that were still waiting. Thanks for letting me know.

@gilthanis1 But they have said yours will be taken care of right? And that it isn't rocks? I guess I'm waiting for some kind of confirmation on my end that they know mine isn't rocks/debris. And yes, if these were mechanical issues I would have been livid, but I think for a new car those would have been easier for Kia to go "Yea that shouldn't have happened", with the paint it's felt like a more uphill battle since (at least the dealers) could just shrug it off as road hazards.

I'll be sure to update this thread when I hear back about whatever he wanted to tell me. Between him and Jamie trying to reach someone else on a decision I'm not really sure what communications I've been left out on lol little strange. After writing my last post I pinged the Kia USA rep again since I had only sent him that one email a week and a half ago, to see if he had heard anything else about my case specifically. He saw it in person, I can't imagine being told that my car won't be entirely repainted, I still just don't know about the paint protection. I mean, painters tape was taking my paint off, if something happened in the future to my paint protector and it was replaced under its warranty (it came with a 10 year warranty) but all the paint started lifting off with it because the front wasn't repainted all hell will break loose.

Edit: Personally something else I'm worried about is getting hit, while driving or while parked, before my case is resolved, then Kia trying to get my insurance to cover paint damage. I don't know, I commute 100 miles in a day and have been in too many accidents by others hands in the last few years so maybe I'm paranoid.

 

[StingerGT68]

Gentlemen.....Lot of red tape here. This will not be fixed overnight. This is not a case by case fix. As we know this is widespread. I am sure KIA is looking at everything in detail. KIA wants to get this right. You will not see a quick solution.

I honestly don't know what a solution to this would look like. Right now I'm sure they're trying to figure out which VINs are affected by the issue and then how to proceed. As I've said before, I agree and think Kia will definitely make this right for everyone truly affected.