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

[Mach_Tuck]

It looks like @MerlintheMad made note that the paint chips were around the headlight assembly. To me, that's not 50% damage... end of story. That's 50% of the cars, had paint chips, at a specific location on the car(s). This is different than saying 50% had paint chips of all sorts on the cars hood, roof, etc. In any event, this is a relative issue... but it is isolated to a degree. In other words, it's not all cars...from all parts of the country. It's a percentage that no one as of yet has been able to say "this is what has caused it and this is what will fix it in the future". BUT...the one thing we know for sure is that KIA HQ sees it as an issue to some degree.

I tend to disagree on "KIA HQ sees it as an issue" given the fact that my Yellow Repaint does NOT include any mention of the bumpers. When specifically asked about the flaking on mine, i was simply advised that there is no issue with the paint on the bumpers...

Waiting to re-address when my follow up call comes. At this point i would say that Kia has acknowledged a paint issue with Yellow covering external metal ONLY.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Have to agree here...a better response to defend would have been 1 or MAYBE 2 showing issues on the LOT. 50% is totally unacceptable.

I wasn't "defending" anything. I was reporting. My opinion is clear enough: I don't see a big problem, and the 16 cars supports that, because paint failure is what I was looking for, and I found ONE clear example of possible paint failure; but even in this singular case, the area is where the headlight rubbing issue enters into this, so maybe not paint failure since the rest of the car is fine.

Don't try so hard to make this worse than it is. What possible benefit derives from that? I am guessing that every carlot in the world has brand new cars that are less than perfect, for a variety of causes. We just happen to be understandably concerned with Stinger paint. The headlight issue is a new design fubar. Kia designed on "the look" and the design is paying the price for that look. Paint failure is separate and Kia is reaching out to buyers in an exceptional way. I will continue to pay attention to how that goes in the months ahead.

 

[eflyguy]

The damage in the headlight area that I've seen (in-person and in pics here) shows more than just rubbing. It may have been initiated from rubbling, but the paint has peeled away or bunched up like a decal. That should not occur no matter what the surface material is. That's what primer is for.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I tend to disagree on "KIA HQ sees it as an issue" given the fact that my Yellow Repaint does NOT include any mention of the bumpers. When specifically asked about the flaking on mine, i was simply advised that there is no issue with the paint on the bumpers...

Waiting to re-address when my follow up call comes. At this point i would say that Kia has acknowledged a paint issue with Yellow covering external metal ONLY.

Is that possibly what the $5K compensation is meant for? If you REALLY care about your complaint, you'll spend that money on bumpers, etc. I see Kia trying to walk a fine line, like proper capitalists, and save money while addressing a quality issue to the bulk of customer satisfaction.

 

[MerlintheMad]

The damage in the headlight area that I've seen (in-person and in pics here) shows more than just rubbing. It may have been initiated from rubbling, but the paint has peeled away or bunched up like a decal. That should not occur no matter what the surface material is. That's what primer is for.

Exactly! My point with Number Six is that this car is the only one exhibiting any sign of additional issues to the rubbing headlight one. But even so, there is no other flaking/chipping going on ... yet ...

 

[ant]

I find it odd that people are now questioning whether or not there is any validity to what anyone is saying about paint problems. I don't think that's constructive. If anything, I think it creates a hostile forum. Now we're doubting facts? Or we suspect secret competing manufacturer trolls that make stuff up? Please. What good is anyone doing by belittling or doubting others complaining about problems?

I also find it hard to believe that we're arguing about varying degrees of paint failure. Paint that fails during "normal" driving or from a car wash is a paint failure to me. Whether it's due to a poorly designed headlight oriface or improper primer / painting process, they are all paint failures. Actually, if you had very good painting process with proper adhesion, it should not rub off because the paint should have a molecular bond to its substrate. I would expect to see scuffing of scratching of the clearcoat and paint instead of peeling and flaking. I also think that people know the difference between chipping due to rocks versus paint failure in weird places.

If you already have the car, and you don't have a problem, lucky you. Move on. Let's not create strife by claiming your car has no problems and that it's a small problem that affects very few cars. You are making people with the problem feel like they're whining and of course, pissing them off. NOT constructive. Respect that people have spent money, whether small or large to them, and have bought something with what they think are defects. Put yourself in their shoes, and if you wouldn't be upset, good for you.

Also think about your responsibility as a forum user and think about other people reading this. This forums is a reflection of a portion of the stinger owner community and reflects what some stinger owners are like. That's probably more damaging than paint problems. I wouldn't want to be associated with a bunch of people that belittle me about the problems I'm seeing on my brand new car.

If instead you were supportive and said stuff like, "oh man, paint problems! that sucks, i'm going to call KIA's hotline and tell them about how it upsets me that other people aren't being helped with their paint problems", that would be a lot more helpful. Or, hey KIA corporate, how come I went to a dealership and saw so many cars with paint damage around the headlights and elsewhere?

 

[ant]

As of 7/31 2:49 PM EST, the current poll is at

104 complaints about paint out of 182 responses. 57%.

I hope this help give people a different view on the severity of the paint problem and why it's not constructive to discount people's problems and frustrations with paint, even if personally it doesn't affect or bother some people. It has bothered at least 104 people to report that they had a problem. More than 50% of the people that took this poll are affected. I won't bother to give a lesson on what statistically significant sampling is because i didn't make this poll nor can i confirm that each vote was legitimate, but it is SOME data to look at.

This poll is also not perfect by any means but at least it's validation for people that get the run around from their dealer when they're suspecting there's something wrong with their car.

 

[MerlintheMad]

As of 7/31 2:49 PM EST, the current poll is at

104 complaints about paint out of 182 responses. 57%.

I hope this help give people a different view on the severity of the paint problem and why it's not constructive to discount people's problems and frustrations with paint, even if personally it doesn't affect or bother some people. It has bothered at least 104 people to report that they had a problem. More than 50% of the people that took this poll are affected. I won't bother to give a lesson on what statistically significant sampling is because i didn't make this poll nor can i confirm that each vote was legitimate, but it is SOME data to look at.

This poll is also not perfect by any means but at least it's validation for people that get the run around from their dealer when they're suspecting there's something wrong with their car.

I've had as much or more to say about this issue as anyone else on this thread. I've been following it and commenting almost daily since I first saw it early in June. I picked it up when it had 23 pages; and before saying a thing I read all of them. It took hours. If you can find a single example of me "belittling" or making light of anyone's grief over their car's paint not satisfying, feel free to point me to my own words, and I will repent. I'm not feeling anything but sorrow for this issue. It should not have happened. Hopefully, Kia has rectified the temporary conditions which caused the cars with poor paint jobs. Hopefully Kia watches this and other fora about all of their products.

Pointing out the scale of the problem and asserting that out of total cars on the road it is a small problem, does not minimize the problem for those affected. If even one Stinger had failing paint, Kia would treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases: in pursuit of customer satisfaction.

 

[NoTyme]

Wife has the Yellow, will inspect and get back. approx 1150 miles.
I got the call also and am waiting for the snail mail, I doubt any paint shop will do that good of a job in repainting the car(areas exposed to damage) and not have overspray and things that would diminish the value of the car. (painting around mirrors, over the plastic appliqués). For us its yellow or nothing...

I get to drive it when it needs fuel..

 

[ant]

I've had as much or more to say about this issue as anyone else on this thread. I've been following it and commenting almost daily since I first saw it early in June. I picked it up when it had 23 pages; and before saying a thing I read all of them. It took hours. If you can find a single example of me "belittling" or making light of anyone's grief over their car's paint not satisfying, feel free to point me to my own words, and I will repent. I'm not feeling anything but sorrow for this issue. It should not have happened. Hopefully, Kia has rectified the temporary conditions which caused the cars with poor paint jobs. Hopefully Kia watches this and other fora about all of their products.

Pointing out the scale of the problem and asserting that out of total cars on the road it is a small problem, does not minimize the problem for those affected. If even one Stinger had failing paint, Kia would treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases: in pursuit of customer satisfaction.

I didn't address my posts to you, so you probably shouldn't take my posts personally.

As for "KIA would treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases" .. That's a very bold statement from someone that I don't think works for either KIA corp or a KIA dealer. I think that's why people are frustrated. They are not seeing that happen for them. If you mean "KIA SHOULD treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases", then I agree.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I didn't address my posts to you, so you probably shouldn't take my posts personally.

As for "KIA would treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases" .. That's a very bold statement from someone that I don't think works for either KIA corp or a KIA dealer. I think that's why people are frustrated. They are not seeing that happen for them. If you mean "KIA SHOULD treat that one case the same way as a few or many cases", then I agree.

Your statement was inclusive of me, because of the nature of my "defense" of the problem being a small one statistically.

I make that statement about Kia being fair based on Kia's outreach thus far. Their PR is good. They are following up. But dealerships stink in large numbers; and these cases must perforce work through Kia dealerships. Therein lies the rub, which includes time delays, runarounds, lies and so forth. There will be a lot of noise as Stingers get taken for repainting: disliking the rental car provided; disliking being told one thing and getting another; including threats to pursue litigation, etc. It won't be a calm environment! This is going to play out well into next year, I am thinking. Hopefully, predominantly the outcomes will be positive. I have "faith" in Kia. Because I am committed to the tune of c. $40K! I never gave KIA a second thought until I learned about the Stinger last fall. My enthusiasm for the company is entirely the creation of that car.

 

[Ivansito]

Merlin has every right to be optimistic of KIA. Just how you have every right to be anti optimistic. No wrong or right, just different prospective.

 

[ScottM]

@MerlintheMad = Optimistic
@ant = Not Optimistic

50% optimism! That's solid.

 

[Mach_Tuck]

Is that possibly what the $5K compensation is meant for? If you REALLY care about your complaint, you'll spend that money on bumpers, etc. I see Kia trying to walk a fine line, like proper capitalists, and save money while addressing a quality issue to the bulk of customer satisfaction.

Interesting thought...however, a goodwill gesture, as Kia put it, should be a "+1" to the solution and not meant to be used to complete said solution. In today's market place, a customer wronged needs to have said wrong rectified and then a +1 added. This is how you build loyalty.

Each person will need to make the decision...for me, repainting external metal only, with possible blending issues and over spray and whatever, and THEN giving me car back with same flakes missing on the bumper will not fly. At that point, Kia can keep the $5k and instead rebuy the car for close to $60k.

 

[StingerGT68]

Interesting thought...however, a goodwill gesture, as Kia put it, should be a "+1" to the solution and not meant to be used to complete said solution. In today's market place, a customer wronged needs to have said wrong rectified and then a +1 added. This is how you build loyalty.

Each person will need to make the decision...for me, repainting external metal only, with possible blending issues and over spray and whatever, and THEN giving me car back with same flakes missing on the bumper will not fly. At that point, Kia can keep the $5k and instead rebuy the car for close to $60k.

Is your bumper currently flaking? If so, when you bring it to the dealer service department, show them that and they'll help you (if they're worth anything at all). I just can't see them saying no to painting your bumper if you show them a paint issue clearly present on it.

 

[jondyer]

Is your bumper currently flaking? If so, when you bring it to the dealer service department, show them that and they'll help you (if they're worth anything at all). I just can't see them saying no to painting your bumper if you show them a paint issue clearly present on it.

Well, I will know for sure soon.

I have made an appointment to have my car painted. I will be dropping it off in two weeks (there's that number again) and I have already been going around and around with them on my bumper. The dealer here has a pretty good service department and my service adviser is very cool and straightforward. Hopefully, this will close this chapter sometime after that.

If I am given the run around regarding the flaking plastic bits, I will cry foul and see if I can get those looked after under the existing warranty. If I can get it all sorted at the same time, sweet. Since the original issue presented itself within 1 week of owning the car, I am sure that I will know well within the given 30 day window.

If all is well, after that I will be good and I will take my 5 grand and run to my parts store for mods. If not, I can promise that someone will get tired of me wandering around the dealer demanding warranty work for the paint. One way or the other it will get solved. If it is not solved soon enough as a part of this technical service bulletin, Kia may regret not sorting it as I can pretty much guarantee that I will get the paint issue taken care of, no matter what.

As a side note, my lawyer buddy has a neighbor who just bought a gray Stinger... That one also has paint issues and the headlight rub. The paint really looks like it is peeling around the edges and to me, looks like an adhesion issue.

 

[jboulukos]

Yeah. Some of the largest hail I’ve seen in the mountains of western NC. Guess I’m lucky with the silky silver. Got the car back today with a new high speed fuel pump as a bonus!! Lol.

May I ask why you needed a new high pressure fuel pump and after how many miles? Thank you in advance.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Well, I will know for sure soon.

I have made an appointment to have my car painted. I will be dropping it off in two weeks (there's that number again) and I have already been going around and around with them on my bumper. The dealer here has a pretty good service department and my service adviser is very cool and straightforward. Hopefully, this will close this chapter sometime after that.

If I am given the run around regarding the flaking plastic bits, I will cry foul and see if I can get those looked after under the existing warranty. If I can get it all sorted at the same time, sweet. Since the original issue presented itself within 1 week of owning the car, I am sure that I will know well within the given 30 day window.

If all is well, after that I will be good and I will take my 5 grand and run to my parts store for mods. If not, I can promise that someone will get tired of me wandering around the dealer demanding warranty work for the paint. One way or the other it will get solved. If it is not solved soon enough as a part of this technical service bulletin, Kia may regret not sorting it as I can pretty much guarantee that I will get the paint issue taken care of, no matter what.

As a side note, my lawyer buddy has a neighbor who just bought a gray Stinger... That one also has paint issues and the headlight rub. The paint really looks like it is peeling around the edges and to me, looks like an adhesion issue.

Yep, that's the look of "Number Six's" paint at the corners. None of the others looked like that. The next worst case was the same length, but way back inside the shared space of the bumper and headlight assembly, where you could barely see a bit of paint lifting; obviously from the rubbing issue. But as @ant said, proper adhesion would see the paint scuffed, not rubbed off as flakes. So even though the headlight assembly rubbing problem is the cause of paint failure in that exact spot, it is still a paint failure when looked at from an adhesion standpoint.

 

[StingerGT68]

Well, I will know for sure soon.

I have made an appointment to have my car painted. I will be dropping it off in two weeks (there's that number again) and I have already been going around and around with them on my bumper. The dealer here has a pretty good service department and my service adviser is very cool and straightforward. Hopefully, this will close this chapter sometime after that.

If I am given the run around regarding the flaking plastic bits, I will cry foul and see if I can get those looked after under the existing warranty. If I can get it all sorted at the same time, sweet. Since the original issue presented itself within 1 week of owning the car, I am sure that I will know well within the given 30 day window.

If all is well, after that I will be good and I will take my 5 grand and run to my parts store for mods. If not, I can promise that someone will get tired of me wandering around the dealer demanding warranty work for the paint. One way or the other it will get solved. If it is not solved soon enough as a part of this technical service bulletin, Kia may regret not sorting it as I can pretty much guarantee that I will get the paint issue taken care of, no matter what.

As a side note, my lawyer buddy has a neighbor who just bought a gray Stinger... That one also has paint issues and the headlight rub. The paint really looks like it is peeling around the edges and to me, looks like an adhesion issue.

Exactly...if they don't repaint the bumper under the service bulletin, they'll definitely do it under warranty. Either way I have to think they'll solve your problem.

 

[Tonkabob]

After two months of waiting i just had my paint claim turned down. I have blue with 50+ chips at 3k miles. Now 6 k miles after the wait. This is evidently normal and expected. Awesome car but can no longer recommend that anyone buy a Stinger.