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

[Bobr]

About "headlights rubbing my paint": yesterday I found, that initially Optima had the same issue with tail lights and it was definitely because they were sitting too tight there. Later KIA fixed that by increasing the gaps.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Skimming the thread. Are these issues happening still on recent builds? I am pretty certain im no longer interested in this model year at the very least.

I read through this entire thread, I didn't skim it. And no, it appears to be a hit and miss among the batches of cars from Sept through Nov 2017. This is anything but a huge problem. On this thread it is concentrated: the horror stories, the sad tales, come here to vent. So reading through 24 "pages" of gripes and followup makes it appear that the Stinger is flaking paint all over the planet. Actually, it is mostly the yellow, some blue and one or two grey or black (mentioned on this thread). The attached poll is significant already. If there were a lot of Stingers shedding paint, there would be a lot more web searches about it and a lot more respondents to this poll.

I hadn't heard a thing about paint issues when I bought my Stinger back at the end of March. If I had, I'd have researched the stories and the incidence. And coming to the conclusion that Yellow is a bad risk, followed by light blue (interestingly yellow far exceeds any other color on this thread; yet the poll shows blue as the larger problem color), I'd have landed on one of the silvers, or the white, as the most safe. Then I'd cross my fingers and depend on the one year* paint warranty, and Kia's reputation for fixing case by case customer issues to their satisfaction. "Nothing in this life has any business being perfect." If you wait, you'll only keep waiting.

*(edit to add: I've since learned that Kia has a three year paint warranty; I was repeating false information; but I'll let it stand to preserve thread "integrity", heh!)

 

[oxide365]

So I picked my babe up yesterday after work, and I am really happy to report good news. Scott, one of the Service Managers at Ourisman Chantilly KIA (where I have taken all 7 of my KIA's to for all services) told me that they will take care of my car's paint issues, and "Make it right". I really cannot say enough about the guys at Ourisman, and specifically, Scott. All these years I have taken my cars to them, they never BS me, push me and are always wonderful to deal with.

The techs searched my car's paint, and found quite a few issues. What I called "Bubbling" (looked like bubbles under the paint last weekend) is more like what I can only explain as chips in the first few layers of paint. Still to me looks like bubbles between the layers of paint, but I trust the guys at Ourisman. The pics below are a few of the pics the tech took and sent off to KMA (Kia Motors America). I did get a case number, and my car will get repainted (not sure if it is the whole car repaint yet, but I do not believe so at this point).

So again, the staff at Ourisman Chantilly KIA rock. If you are in the Northern VA Dulles corridor area they are worth taking your car to for service.
I was so expecting a bit of a fight about the paint, but no, they blew me away yesterday.

View attachment 8687 View attachment 8688 View attachment 8689

They also took care of the Hatch Rattle again, under a different SA# then the original SA322, and so far, no more rattle. I do not recall the new SA number.

i have a few of these as well. i noticed them when i first got the car, i thought it was sap or something.

 

[Bobr]

one year paint warranty

Is it not 5 years? My dealer said "5" (but they may to "lie to sell").

 

[Tonkabob]

Paint is 3 year warranty

 

[gilthanis1]

3 yrs or 36,000 miles on paint. Below was just snagged from KMA website

 

[Tonkabob]

I suspect close to half the Stingers made so far where blue, so saying other colors are safer may be premature. Im basing this off what ive seen for sale at dealers, online and people in the forums.

 

[scharn]

Took mine into Galpin KIA today to take pictures. Very nice, no argument, fully believe that it is a paint issue, so no qualms there. They are opening a case and we'll see what happens. I asked them a bit about it, and they were more inclined to believe it was a paint rubbing issue as that is something they said they've seen a few times on optimas. I ask what typically happens, he says kia authorizes them to fix the issue which is they repaint the panel, in this case the front bumper.

Now if it was just a headlight rubbing issue, I'd personally be more inclined to hold off getting it resprayed till I get say 10k miles on it and then get a new bumper but thats just me.

 

[MerlintheMad]

3 yrs or 36,000 miles on paint. Below was just snagged from KMA (Kia Motors America) websiteView attachment 8706

Oh, good! Not one year. Somebody above, or on another paint thread, said "one year". I was just repeating on trust. I'm glad it is a lot more than one year!

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Went over entire car today and no other flakes save the ones on the headlight edges. I did have PPF installed at 77 miles however and car sat in my garage for two weeks until PPF was installed.

Better pics showing my flakes. Will call the Stinger Service line and get a case # prior to my dealership visit next week. Will keep the forum updated.

My fear is that the PPF is "holding" paint together and might be screwed in 5 years when go to replace it.

If the respray they will def need to replace PPF as well.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I hope that Kia will cover reapplication of PPF, to preserve good feelings. But if there are "too many" PPF claims, they might opt out and take their lumps. This issue has to be costing Kia a lot of money. Imagine the fallout if it turns into a big problem because of a lot of cars having their paint fail! I'm still of a mind that this is actually not a significant percentage of Stingers, and becomes less so as Kia solves their paint FUBAR issues; which, it appears, they already have.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Called the Premium Care Hotline today and opened my case. Dealer eval scheduled for next week. Was advised to have dealer take pics and send to Kia Tech and Regional Rep. Guy i spoke with on phone said he would call the dealer the day after my appt to confirm pics were sent and then call me to update. As of now, mine is only showing this flake in the headlight area with a full frontal PPF. My worry is that when it comes time to replace PPF, well after the 3yr paint warranty, strips may come off with it. All well. I will def be keeping a close eye on the rest of the car and may try to get Kia to PPF the remainder the vehicle...would be cheaper than multiple re-spray over the next 3 years!

Will keep thread updated as things happen.

EDIT - Customer Care line confirmed that Dealer has NO say in this whatsoever. All lies with Kia Tech Reps is what he said. Also advised that if they dont cooperate while i am there to call the customer care line and they will handle with the dealer.

 

[jondyer]

Got my case number from the care line, and I made my appointment for 11AM tomorrow. We will see what they say next.

 

[Rufus]

Got my case number from the care line, and I made my appointment for 11AM tomorrow. We will see what they say next.

Was it the number listed on that black "kia stinger client services" card? I just today noticed the beginnings of paint flaking from both inside headlamp corners

 

[jondyer]

Was it the number listed on that black "kia stinger client services" card? I just today noticed the beginnings of paint flaking from both inside headlamp corners

Yup -Kia VIP Line 855-454-2847.
I did originally call the "general" Kia line, but they directed me to the VIP number. Call them first.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

Below is what was posted as a comment from Anthony Brown on the YouTube channel of GT2 Car reviews

I'm in quality at Kia KMMG. I myself wondered about the paint at times. I own a U.S. built kia and a Korean built Hyundai with no issues as of yet. If these issues are both Korean and US built issues, please chime in and I'll forward this info. Note, singer is only Korean built. The Telluride will only be US built, and built here for the world.

 

[jondyer]

My fear is this:

I love the car and have had several Kia and Hyundai vehicles over the years. I used to be a Ford guy until I bought a black Mustang in 2000 and discovered that they did a terrible job painting the car. Everywhere plastic touched was yellow primer. It was bad and fighting Ford forced me into the loving arms of Kia and Hyundai.

I know that this is not even close, but how they handle this will make a huge difference in how I perceive the company going forward. I know things happen, but I am not looking forward to going through that process again.

Not that every customer is right, some might just be a tad jaded....

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Well I took my car to the dealership two weeks ago and not a single acknowledgement from Kia, as has been my experience with them so far. I called (VIP line) just now to ask for an update, and was put on hold for a solid 10 minutes (hasn't happened before) by Jamie (I've called several times and it seems like only two people work this number). She told me she tried calling their Regional Parts & Service guy for a decision?? I thought this was supposed to be decided by Kia Korea? I'm already so frustrated with this situation and them that it didn't really add to my surprise or anger. Anyways I made sure they had my correct information and to get back to me because I'm tired of not hearing anything.

Any comments on the Parts/Service guy? No idea why she reached out to him. At least my case was still open and not closed again by "accident".

Edit: Also if anyone has Michael's extension (the only other person I've spoken to at the VIP number) can you send it to me please? I'd rather speak to him next time as the one time I did speak to him he seemed more helpful.

 

[GregM]

My bet is that there is a finger pointing game going on right now between Kia America and Kia Korea about who's gonna pay for it, hence why they delay their response to the customers affected by this costly issue.

 

[Bobr]

So called "VIP line" in Russia is no comparison to yours there %) Our one can only redirect to to your dealer and that's it. No any other help. No case number created etc., just redirecting your call to your dealer (from words of two owners I know)