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

[A Member Who Left]

Finally received my official letter from KIA New Zealand.
They have offered a repaint or a replacement vehicle of another colour.

Note that this is from KIA New Zealand. I cannot speak for other countries.

Is your repaint a full repaint......bumpers, door jambs and all?

 

[Laser1]

Yellow. The letter only applies to Sunset Yellow.

 

[Rydahog]

Wow, take the new car... Jus sayin..

 

[Laser1]

The letter states:

Kia NZ is committed to rectifying this situation to ensure your full satisfaction as quickly as possible by offering to repaint your Sunset Yellow Kia Stinger free of charge. We expect the full repainting process will take approximately 4 weeks during which time you will be supplied with a loan vehicle.

 

[gilthanis1]

Kia Australia recalls yellow Stingers to repaint them

"That's correct. We've contacted all of the owners. There was an issue in regards to an oil residue in the yellow which could possibly crack more when hit by a stone chip, etcetera, etcetera, so we've moved very, very quickly," Damien Meredith, the chief operating officer of Kia Australia, told website CarAdvice in an email.

He added there are approximately 50 examples of the Stinger finished in Sunset Yellow currently registered in Australia. The recall will involve completely disassembling the car, stripping it down to the bare metal and giving it an entirely new, factory-quality paint job covered by a lifetime warranty. Meredith confirmed the recall -- which allegedly costs at least $7,500 per vehicle -- is covered by Kia's global warranty, meaning it's a global issue rather than an Australian one.
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So why do we get the shaft? This is definitely NOT the solution I was hoping for, and I want that letter in my hands. Unless by some miracle they left out the rest of the parts that the 'goodwill' option is a full teardown and re-paint, this dam car can go back and I'll wait on a 2019.......maybe.

I was a serious champion for Kia handling this the right way and held out hope until I saw this BS. Seriously makes me re-consider staying with Kia, and they have built a good one, but this...........this just doesn't sit right. So what if they 'make it whole' or whatever, we had to jump through some serious shit hoops to even GET one of these 'Limited' models and now they shit on us like this? Not effing cool in the least.

 

[A Member Who Left]

The letter states:

Kia NZ is committed to rectifying this situation to ensure your full satisfaction as quickly as possible by offering to repaint your Sunset Yellow Kia Stinger free of charge. We expect the full repainting process will take approximately 4 weeks during which time you will be supplied with a loan vehicle.

I would get it in writing what parts of the car will be done. Here in the states, Kia’s definition of full repaint excludes the bumpers and other key parts of the car. Best of luck.

 

[Laser1]

I would get it in writing what parts of the car will be done. Here in the states, Kia’s definition of full repaint excludes the bumpers and other key parts of the car. Best of luck.

I've read that here but don't quite understand it. Is this an official US position from Kia?

It seems strange that they would not treat all their clients internationally the same.

I wonder what's happening in other countries? So far on this forum it seems to be only US,
Australian and New Zealand customers providing feedback.

 

[A Member Who Left]

I've read that here but don't quite understand it. Is this an official US position from Kia?

It seems strange that they would not treat all their clients internationally the same.

I wonder what's happening in other countries? So far on this forum it seems to be only US,
Australian and New Zealand customers providing feedback.

See post #1154 in this thread and you can see every part that they are including and excluding from a so-called full repaint here in the US.

 

[Laser1]

Here's the actual letter

 

[Laser1]

See post #1154 in this thread and you can see every part that they are including and excluding from a so-called full repaint here in the US.

Thanks for that. I missed that post. I will certainly clarify this with KIA New Zealand.

 

[A Member Who Left]

Thanks for that. I missed that post. I will certainly clarify this with KIA New Zealand.

No worries. I think it was my post #64 or so in this same thread where I recommended what may be the ultimate path for this issue if Kia does not fully step up to the plate. From indications today here in the USA, they are not stepping up fully to the plate but we shall see.

 

[thirteendog]

So the NZ response letter just muddies the water on this issue. Per the members here KMA is offering a "full," respray which we now know is not a full respray rather it is limited to the exterior metal panels. Which is pretty frustrating, how expensive would it be to put a new GT bumper, prep, prime, and paint to ensure the paint matches. That isn't even addressing blending the bumpers to the body panels that will be resprayed. Im very concerned that the respray will never be fully right.

A buy back or a swap to another Stinger have also been stated. Buyback certainly seems like a better option at this point.

I think we need to establish that some facts are becoming apparent. Per the build date poll, cars built in October, November and December are the most at risk. I thought I read that the Kia affirmed it is a paint adhesion issue; i.e. primer. When I see images of the Yellow cars with chipping, the primer looks the same as the Blue cars with chipping, as the Black cars with chipping. I think there may be a correlation here given that the Yellows were likely the first cars produced followed by Blue. I only assume Blue since it has the highest number of owners claiming to have an issue. (This would be the time to build a spreadsheet or create a multi-response poll admins ) The paint process for these cars a GT2 or a 2.0 appear to be the same...

So I think what KMA is missing in this whole ordeal is the impact this situation is having within the Stinger communities.
KMA developed, marketed, targeted, and sold the Stinger to performance minded buyers. The Stinger has a small market share, as of May I think the total number of units sold was less than 6,000. Every single owner of the Stinger is a brand ambassador for KMA.

Every single member on this board is an important marketing tool, a tool of brand awareness, and ambassador for KMA. KIA has struggled for years to shake the reputation it gained when it first entered the US market. Look at Facebook and Forums where the Stinger v Mustang or Stinger v 2017 Commodore reviews are posted. The majority of the owners post about Kia's being crap cars, Kia being cars that cannot perform, Kia being a junk brand thats a poser. I think we all know how far from the truth that is, but when an owner is saddled with a 50k car and paint is performing worse than a rental Corolla we have a problem!! Currently in a rental Corolla with 32,000 miles and the paint is holding up better than your Stingers. Just to clarify ceramic coating is not the freaking answer when the paint isnt sticking to the dang primer. I've seen this posted here since February; yeah I've been lurking for a hot minute and Im glad I didnt jump on a lease now.

Its my hypothesis that the primer used on the yellow cars, is the same that was used for the early production cars. Kia needs to own this issue if they want to see the Stinger be successful within the performance minded buyers. This issue isnt going to affect just the Stinger, I think you will see apprehension toward the G70 as well. Kia needs to step up and offer a true respray, buy backs, or swap and compensation to the owners.

If they drop ball, maybe Tom McPharlan of Jalopnik fame can help lead a class action suit, he seems to like that kind of work ))))

 

[StingerGT68]

So the NZ response letter just muddies the water on this issue. Per the members here KMA (Kia Motors America) is offering a "full," respray which we now know is not a full respray rather it is limited to the exterior metal panels. Which is pretty frustrating, how expensive would it be to put a new GT bumper, prep, prime, and paint to ensure the paint matches. That isn't even addressing blending the bumpers to the body panels that will be resprayed. Im very concerned that the respray will never be fully right.

A buy back or a swap to another Stinger have also been stated. Buyback certainly seems like a better option at this point.

I think we need to establish that some facts are becoming apparent. Per the build date poll, cars built in October, November and December are the most at risk. I thought I read that the Kia affirmed it is a paint adhesion issue; i.e. primer. When I see images of the Yellow cars with chipping, the primer looks the same as the Blue cars with chipping, as the Black cars with chipping. I think there may be a correlation here given that the Yellows were likely the first cars produced followed by Blue. I only assume Blue since it has the highest number of owners claiming to have an issue. (This would be the time to build a spreadsheet or create a multi-response poll admins ) The paint process for these cars a GT2 or a 2.0 appear to be the same...

So I think what KMA (Kia Motors America) is missing in this whole ordeal is the impact this situation is having within the Stinger communities.
KMA (Kia Motors America) developed, marketed, targeted, and sold the Stinger to performance minded buyers. The Stinger has a small market share, as of May I think the total number of units sold was less than 6,000. Every single owner of the Stinger is a brand ambassador for KMA (Kia Motors America).

Every single member on this board is an important marketing tool, a tool of brand awareness, and ambassador for KMA (Kia Motors America). KIA has struggled for years to shake the reputation it gained when it first entered the US market. Look at Facebook and Forums where the Stinger v Mustang or Stinger v 2017 Commodore reviews are posted. The majority of the owners post about Kia's being crap cars, Kia being cars that cannot perform, Kia being a junk brand thats a poser. I think we all know how far from the truth that is, but when an owner is saddled with a 50k car and paint is performing worse than a rental Corolla we have a problem!! Currently in a rental Corolla with 32,000 miles and the paint is holding up better than your Stingers. Just to clarify ceramic coating is not the freaking answer when the paint isnt sticking to the dang primer. I've seen this posted here since February; yeah I've been lurking for a hot minute and Im glad I didnt jump on a lease now.

Its my hypothesis that the primer used on the yellow cars, is the same that was used for the early production cars. Kia needs to own this issue if they want to see the Stinger be successful within the performance minded buyers. This issue isnt going to affect just the Stinger, I think you will see apprehension toward the G70 as well. Kia needs to step up and offer a true respray, buy backs, or swap and compensation to the owners.

If they drop ball, maybe Tom McPharlan of Jalopnik fame can help lead a class action suit, he seems to like that kind of work ))))

For all we know, the Australian and NZ solution may also be a respray on only the metal parts, apparently just like USA. As I said here before, someone with a yellow car needs to actually talk to KMA (once they get their letter) and ask why only the metal parts are being repainted, give KIA a chance to explain. If their answer is unsatisfactory then sure, sue them or take the buyback. We're just walking around in circles getting huffy because no one in America has actually received the letter and no one in America has actually talked about the process their car will undergo in a "full respray".

Until then...


And guys, I'm fully on board with going nuclear if the job isn't done to satisfaction. This car wasn't cheap. But let's get actual answers...

 

[KiaofMuncie]

For all we know, the Australian and NZ solution may also be a respray on only the metal parts, apparently just like USA. As I said here before, someone with a yellow car needs to actually talk to KMA (Kia Motors America) (once they get their letter) and ask why only the metal parts are being repainted, give KIA a chance to explain. If their answer is unsatisfactory then sure, sue them or take the buyback. We're just walking around in circles getting huffy because no one in America has actually received the letter and no one in America has actually talked about the process their car will undergo in a "full respray".

Until then...
View attachment 10055

And guys, I'm fully on board with going nuclear if the job isn't done to satisfaction. This car wasn't cheap. But let's get actual answers...

At this point I'd be more interested in a buyback. You buy these cars to drive and enjoy. Worrying about paint issues takes the fun out of it. When my 550 BMW GT had paint issues i couldn't stand BMW's non response attitude. I absolutely loved the car. It was an incredible machine but i cringed every time i looked at it. Especially when BMW wouldn't acknowledge it. Buying BMW's for years meant nothing. Loyalty got me nowhere. Sold it and bought a Landcruiser. These things happen unfortunately. We are enthusiasts. Would not be on forum if you did not care about vehicles. I just think if it was me a buyback makes more sense and restores faith in the KIA brand and the Stinger. They are phenomenal cars. If we had zero paint issues what would we all be talking about? Probably how much we enjoy the cars. I'm here to help. If its looking for a new Stinger, buyback, paint questions, or anything else let me know. I'll do what i can.

 

[StingerGT68]

At this point I'd be more interested in a buyback. You buy these cars to drive and enjoy. Worrying about paint issues takes the fun out of it. When my 550 BMW GT had paint issues i couldn't stand BMW's non response attitude. I absolutely loved the car. It was an incredible machine but i cringed every time i looked at it. Especially when BMW wouldn't acknowledge it. Buying BMW's for years meant nothing. Loyalty got me nowhere. Sold it and bought a Landcruiser. These things happen unfortunately. We are enthusiasts. Would not be on forum if you did not care about vehicles. I just think if it was me a buyback makes more sense and restores faith in the KIA brand and the Stinger. They are phenomenal cars. If we had zero paint issues what would we all be talking about? Probably how much we enjoy the cars. I'm here to help. If its looking for a new Stinger, buyback, paint questions, or anything else let me know. I'll do what i can.

I will say, even with all this about paint, yesterday I had the biggest grin on my face when I pulled ahead of a blacked-out G80. And then I promptly called way too much attention to myself when I squealed my tires at an intersection, making a turn in Sport mode from a dead stop. Jesus this thing is powerful lol

 

[Joseph Cahn]

I will say, even with all this about paint, yesterday I had the biggest grin on my face when I pulled ahead of a blacked-out G80. And then I promptly called way too much attention to myself when I squealed my tires at an intersection, making a turn in Sport mode from a dead stop. Jesus this thing is powerful lol

With the possibility of a buyback, I have been looking around at other cars. I drove a Mazda 6 Turbo yesterday and it felt like a slow dog. I though he brought me a non turbo model by mistake! I think I might be ruined from driving a normal car with reasonable horsepower...

 

[StingerGT68]

With the possibility of a buyback, I have been looking around at other cars. I drove a Mazda 6 Turbo yesterday and it felt like a slow dog. I though he brought me a non turbo model by mistake! I think I might be ruined from driving a normal car with reasonable horsepower...

Agreed. For fun I looked around to see what would give me similar thrill for similar cash and it's real bad out there.

 

[PieceOfChum]

Is there a safe build date for the black stinger I was looking at one with an 11/17 build date not sure if it is safe. The paint looks ok on it.

 

[gilthanis1]

Agreed. For fun I looked around to see what would give me similar thrill for similar cash and it's real bad out there.

No kidding............ I did some searching (and soul-searching over lots of alcohol) and the Stinger is just a bad ass car, no arguments. Theres really not much, at the same price point, that offers the total combo of performance and options. Kia knows they built a bad ass car, they just stopped at the frame and motor and didn't consider paint to go with it.

I'm 100% in agreement that I am going to wait until I get my letter and talk to KMA directly with some very hard questions that they need to provide very good answers too, and THEN I will decide on what my ultimate option will be.

 

[Stevo]

Is there a safe build date for the black stinger I was looking at one with an 11/17 build date not sure if it is safe. The paint looks ok on it.

November and December appears to be to worst according to our poll.