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

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Interesting, I didn't even know there was a website people were using.

And months for a repaint?! Jeez...that's insane. Stay away from that shop

Yes sir, when I first opened my case I told them I had lots of photos they could use since at that point I had already touched up many spots and had paint protection applied, so the dealerships photos would have been after the fact (still took it in for photos of course). They told me to go to kia.com, scroll all the way down to the bottom and you'll see a very small "Contact Kia" button/link. It'll take you to another page with a few options, the middle one about adding a note to your case is the one you pick. Then you enter your case number and email address and get another interface to upload documents and write notes on each of them. Of the half dozen times I've used the website (usually coinciding with a call to KMA), two times has the website told me my case was closed, and calling was the way to get it reopened. I know at least two people at KMA have looked at the pictures and notes I've uploaded, because they've referenced them when I've spoken to them.

@DigitalGuru18 Yea... I'm gonna call again next week. When I called them last, a week or two ago, I got the same "We'll have an official answer soon" everyone else was getting. And they know I have a Black Stinger, so now that the official answer is "Yellow has the problem", I'm wondering what they'll tell me. I'm also just gonna ask if my case is eligible for the same options.

 

[Dmchristie1]

That's great to hear guys!

I received the call today. 3 options.
1. Repaint all the metal parts of the yellow car with a guarantee. Plastic parts dont get a repaint.
2. Kia will buyback the car at what we paid tax all in etc.
3. Kia will replace the yellow one with a 2018 replacement car any color. (Yes ... I asked about a 2019. . No go)
They said we will be getting the official offer in writing shortly. As a side note .... I asked and he will also send along my red stinger book and 2 sets of headphones which we never received. He cannot get ahold of the yellow book for some reason. Downside is I paid more for the red one than the yellow. It is the wife’s call on what she wants to do. She does love the yellow!

 

[A Member Who Left]

Keep us apprised iburton. Good luck. I hope this still works out for anyone who has the issue. It took a call from me to the Stinger line to get a fuel pump replaced. Before I called it was “well, we can’t duplicate the problem so there’s really nothing we can do”. My call to “Peggy” also included the fact that I knew there was a problem with the 2.0 pumps, thanks to knowing that this forum exists. No threats, just the simple mention that it is becoming public knowledge.

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

@Dmchristie1 I know we were supposed to get headphones (I also never got them) but what is this book?

 

[Big Ern]

Well, I'm in the club. During inspection of my headlight area found a small chip in the driver's side, and the passenger side looks like it's about to do the same thing. I had paint come up during my rebadging as well. I guess it's a trip to the dealership for me tomorrow.

 

[Dmchristie1]

@Dmchristie1 I know we were supposed to get headphones (I also never got them) but what is this book?

Early Red buyers and and yellow stinger owners were supposed to get a red or yellow book depending on what you had. I read it in here somewhere so I asked.

 

[jondyer]

So I was browsing the interwebs when Mr. Google put this on my news feed.

Kia's Stinger Has a Big Yellow Problem - The Truth About Cars

 

[somedudedontknowwhoheis]

Early Red buyers and and yellow stinger owners were supposed to get a red or yellow book depending on what you had. I read it in here somewhere so I asked.

Not to get too far off topic, but that's the first I've heard of that. Is that because the early GT2's were all Red? When I was buying my car in Janurary I was deciding between the Black GT1 and the Red GT2, don't remember the dealership mentioning anything either. I remember seeing something about this, only thing I could find when I Google'd it Kia’s ‘Text Drive’ Is an Interactive Book That Lets You Feel and Smell the Stinger Driving Experience – Adweek lol is that the book?

@jondyer So that article says the total for the year is more than what I had read. I'm glad the car has sold better than I thought but it's more reason they won't admit to problems with other colors

Edit: Just noticed on that article, "Thankfully for Kia, Sunset Yellow only appeared on a limited edition GT variant, so the price tag for Operation Topcoat won’t be as consequential as if it were a more popular shade." Looks like the author of that article has the same train of thought as me

 

[Stevo]

Just an update here, the service manager at my dealer called back. He said they waiting for his district manager to hear back exactly what they are doing to fix the issue from Korea. He also mentioned Black and Blue being effected.He mentioned they are trying to see what went wrong during production and that they want the repair to be done right so now I'm waiting.

I am ok with waiting and hopeful the right thing is done, for me it's a lease I planned on buying out. But depending on how this turns out I might just hand it back( if it was not for this I love this car) and I've had everything from STI to Q50)

 

[Stevo]

I have a micro blue gt1 opened a claim with consumer affairs but have not got anywhere yet!!!

 

[StingMe]

Exactly, Yellow is the smallest population so it's the easiest and least expensive for them to say something is officially wrong. I read an article a week or so ago about how 4-5K Stingers have been sold in the US since launch. Since Yellow is only 400 total, and it wasn't a "launch" color here, it's easy to determine how small the population of Yellow Stingers are that are actually being driven. Furthermore buyers of Yellow in the States know they have a "limited" model, and I would argue that people with "special" cars/options are more likely to research and pay attention to any issues they find, leading to the number of votes you see here in this thread (meaning its not necessarily because Yellow has more problems).

I'd also contend that, for the reasons I just mentioned, it is even more likely that Kia will continue to say it's only Yellow. Imagine the number of those 4-5K cars that are Blue/Black, colors that have been available here since launch, that could have issues? Kia isn't going to say anything that would jeopardize the already small amount of vehicles they've sold. For these reasons they likely will continue with other colors as a "case by case" basis, and that wouldn't bug me, IF they treated these cases the same way they've treated owners of Yellow Stingers; good communication and several options for resolution/coverage/whatever. And so far, that hasn't been the case, especially with me. Of course, I could just be the guy that got the one case manager that likes to repeatedly close someones case without followup or resolution.

Sorry, not mad at you personally (or anyone really), I guess I'm just venting cause I like this car too much (put 15K into it already), have had this issue for a while, and now that I'm leaning buyback I don't know what I would get in its place. I would buy another Stinger but if Kia refuses to acknowledge issues with other colors than any other color is playing Russian roulette.

You have valid points.
They probably won't be so proactive for the rest of the colors. No letters, etc
And until this is done and resolved completely, fear of the unknown is purely human.
Thank you for your courtesy. I knew you weren't mad at anyone here, just the situation.
This forum community will help get everyone through this.

 

[KiaofMuncie]

I’m sorry but I don’t trust car companies, no matter who they are. While this is a truly fantastic gesture to those with the yellow, the rest of it reeks of coverup and hush money. It is clear the VAST majority of problems exist with colors other than yellow and the fact that Kia has not and is not addressing those colors in the same way........calling everyone who bought a black or blue or red or whatever and making the same offers.......is proof that they aren’t going to treat this evenly across the board. I am always glad to be proven wrong when it comes to car company customer service and warranty but I would bet my salary there will be no public information about a paint recall campaign or even letters sent to anyone else.

Whoever owns a non-yellow color and next speaks to Peggy, Debbie, Jamie or whatever her name is should make sure they are told and sent an official letter from an attorney on behalf of the few thousand others that they might try to screw. Mention this forum by name, give them the link and say this is not to be considered a threat, just the way every customer buying a Kia with the SAME problem should be treated.

Also.......will the single vote for silky silver, if you are reading this, please describe your problem(s). I apologize if I have missed it elsewhere. Thank you.

I would not rush judgement. KIA knows other issues exist. It appears they are starting with the worst and moving forward. Based on what I read on this forum blue has been granted a respray. At least we have a member who has been told so. Time will tell. I think within a couple of weeks we will know everything. These things take time. Everyone just be patient.

 

[jondyer]

I would not rush judgement.

I agree wholeheartedly. I have suddenly had all kinds of "advice" ranging from RUN! from Kia because of poor resale as a result of this, to "eh, who cares" and pretty much everything in between.

I never really expected the resale to be that good anyway, I mean as nice as it is, it is still a Kia in the US. I have has two Genesis so I am used to taking a hit on a car that I want.

My only concern at this point is this: Since, at this moment, I am leaning heavily towards keeping the car, if Kia insists on choosing the paint shop for me, that might be a deal-breaker. I love the ride, there is pretty much no new car competition for my needs in this price range and I like yellow.

As long as I can have the yellow Stinger I wanted two months ago and can finally ceramic coat my car, then I will be good to go. Failing that, i.e. being forced into a Maaco type paint job, I might be out. Lifetime warranty, or not. Bitch if you want to, and believe me, I will not fault anyone for complaining about how this has shaken out, but MY personal opinion is, that as long I can get what I initially paid for without too much hassle, I am good.

I think at this point, if Kia does what they say they will do, it boils down to how much compensation you want, or how hurt you are. If you want to walk away, then do so. I have been there over whiskey last night and threw my hands up several times. Now, sober me says.... good paint job from a place that will PROPERLY put my car back together when done and we're straight.

Until then, your mileage and feelings may vary.

 

[AV8R]

If it were me i would hand the car back and get another colour. Or demand another new yellow car be sent over that was painted properly.

 

[jondyer]

@AV8R I heard that as well. My only issue with the choice of a different colour is that I would not care to repeat this particular exercise.

To be honest, I never considered a new yellow one that was already painted. That is an excellent idea sir. Very good, wonder if that is an option considering the supply chain and availability?

 

[Jason Young]

If true, parts of the car that would not be repainted include: front and rear bumpers, hatch. Gas door? Anything else?

Sucks because it doesn’t address the bumper/headlight issue, and it may not match 100%. Also, just noticed they missed the back edge of my gas door so you can see through to primer.

I’m glad they’re working out a plan and acknowledging A problem, but they need to recognize other colors are affected. Getting a new color 2018 doesn’t guarantee it won’t exhibit the same issues, plus I doubt they’re going to install an LSD on a different color GT for me.

I love the car and want to keep it, but will definitely need to give it some thought. I’d be ok with a respray if it’s done right, so that’s going to be the big question for them to answer.

 

[Tonkabob]

Just posted this in another thread, but thought I would put it here:

So I went to the dealership tonight to look at a Panthera Metal GT (really cool color; almost black from afar and when you get closer and the light reflects, more grey). I randomly looked at 4 Stingers (dealer had 14 on the lot!) to look for the paint issues folks here have talked about where the paint is coming off where the headlights touch the front bumper. 2 of the Stingers were 2.0L and 2 were 3.3L. One Blue, Red, White and Silver. 3 of the 4 Stingers had paint coming off the bumper! I was very surprised. It wasn't a huge area and I'm assuming the front bumper is plastic so it wouldn't rust, but still, this is a major issue to have this long after initial launch.

Is anyone getting photos of these non yellow stingers chiping and flaking on the dealer lots? Could come in handy.

 

[PieceOfChum]

I was able to take some paint measurements on two black Kis Stinger GT2's today. My measurements ranged from 3.99-5.07 millimeters of paint thickness with an average of 4.36 mils. My 2015 Mustang GT has an average of 4.75 mils and my 2012 BMW X5 has an average of 5.11 mils, and my wife's 2017 Sienna is 4.98 mils average paint thickness. So it wasn't like Kia purposely put an ultra thin layer of paint their numbers aren't as good as some but are close to what I have measure on newer Honda's my sister in-laws 2016 Pilot EX-L is around 4.54 mils so probably with deviation it is the same as the Kia. They should strive for 5.00 mils though that would be like a BMW paint job and it does definitely show my BMW looks almost as good as it did in 2012.

 

[StingerGT68]

I was able to take some paint measurements on two black Kis Stinger GT2's today. My measurements ranged from 3.99-5.07 millimeters of paint thickness with an average of 4.36 mils. My 2015 Mustang GT has an average of 4.75 mils and my 2012 BMW X5 has an average of 5.11 mils, and my wife's 2017 Sienna is 4.98 mils average paint thickness. So it wasn't like Kia purposely put an ultra thin layer of paint their numbers aren't as good as some but are close to what I have measure on newer Honda's my sister in-laws 2016 Pilot EX-L is around 4.54 mils so probably with deviation it is the same as the Kia. They should strive for 5.00 mils though that would be like a BMW paint job and it does definitely show my BMW looks almost as good as it did in 2012.

Does that also measure clear coat or just base coat?

 

[PieceOfChum]

It measures everything I can't exactly know how much is paint versus how much is clearcoat. The way it works is there is a probe on the device calibrated with a metal sample and spacers of known thickness, so it is measures from the probe to the metal body of the vehicle and everything in the middle counts as thickness. But the car doesn't seem to have an unusual amount of clearcoat to me though but I am no expert I do know that if you overdue the clear it is sticky when it is hot out and I have not felt that on the Stingers I have test driven and it has been very hot here in Mass. I do think it is still too thin and should be closer to 5.00 mils or a little better but it doesn't seem terribly thin to me.