Jake Brakes

[jake klein]

I have a 2019 GT2 with the same brake issues and vibration as all the other poor souls out there. Kia was seriously "out to lunch" when they decided to build a high performance sports car and put crap brake pads on with a premium BREMBO set up. Total weakness! I just went round and round with my Kia dealer about this issue for my 6000 mile service. My car already had 500 General Manager miles on it when I bought it off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, it already had a vibrating steering wheel with gentle braking before the purchase.

Just got my car back from service and this is what the report said after I requested warranty brake replacement. "Tech and agent have agreed that the condition of the tires (flat spotting on the balancer and sidewall wear and feathering consistent with high speed cornering) that NO warranty repairs should be performed at this time. Tech will release the vehicle and agent will close. So, because of his driving habits we are not going to do anything".

Needless to say I was furious! This car is not a daily driver and sits in garage about 4/7 days per week. Bought in July 2019 and just turned 6000 miles in May 2020! No race tracks, no high speed cornering (other than the GM that drove it first). No bad driving - I am 52, not 18 years old! I am a trained DIY mechanic and take far better care of my cars that 99% of the population. I felt abused and humiliated.

You too, my friends, will be met with this ignorance and inability to problem solve when you go the KIA dealer for brake repairs as well. This type of behavior by KIA is unacceptable, especially when they are already are privy to what the problem is. Pissing off customers and accusing them of being bad drivers is far from the legal and ethical solution. Man up KIA and take responsibility for the engineering screw up!

I contacted the owner of my dealership with a stern criticism of my treatment ad lack of service knowledge. I received no print out of worn tires or print out of anything except, "BAD DRIVER", and go home! I am going back this week for new brakes as KIA agreed to replace them once their ignorance and maltreatment was made visible to others involved. It took a call from the owner to change KIA Corporate's decision. It was the right decision though, to make it right with the customer.

I will also purchase aftermarket pads if the dealer does not have the better European spec pads for a better replacement fix. I found the discussion about the vibration problem to be very informative and helpful to all STINGER owners. Keep up the good work KIA FORUM Boys!

JAKE K

 

[Ozstung]

I have a 2019 GT2 with the same brake issues and vibration as all the other poor souls out there. Kia was seriously "out to lunch" when they decided to build a high performance sports car and put crap brake pads on with a premium BREMBO set up. Total weakness! I just went round and round with my Kia dealer about this issue for my 6000 mile service. My car already had 500 General Manager miles on it when I bought it off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, it already had a vibrating steering wheel with gentle braking before the purchase.

Just got my car back from service and this is what the report said after I requested warranty brake replacement. "Tech and agent have agreed that the condition of the tires (flat spotting on the balancer and sidewall wear and feathering consistent with high speed cornering) that NO warranty repairs should be performed at this time. Tech will release the vehicle and agent will close. So, because of his driving habits we are not going to do anything".

Needless to say I was furious! This car is not a daily driver and sits in garage about 4/7 days per week. Bought in July 2019 and just turned 6000 miles in May 2020! No race tracks, no high speed cornering (other than the GM that drove it first). No bad driving - I am 52, not 18 years old! I am a trained DIY mechanic and take far better care of my cars that 99% of the population. I felt abused and humiliated.

You too, my friends, will be met with this ignorance and inability to problem solve when you go the KIA dealer for brake repairs as well. This type of behavior by KIA is unacceptable, especially when they are already are privy to what the problem is. Pissing off customers and accusing them of being bad drivers is far from the legal and ethical solution. Man up KIA and take responsibility for the engineering screw up!

I contacted the owner of my dealership with a stern criticism of my treatment ad lack of service knowledge. I received no print out of worn tires or print out of anything except, "BAD DRIVER", and go home! I am going back this week for new brakes as KIA agreed to replace them once their ignorance and maltreatment was made visible to others involved. It took a call from the owner to change KIA Corporate's decision. It was the right decision though, to make it right with the customer.

I will also purchase aftermarket pads if the dealer does not have the better European spec pads for a better replacement fix. I found the discussion about the vibration problem to be very informative and helpful to all STINGER owners. Keep up the good work KIA FORUM Boys!

JAKE K

I feel your pain man it seems to be a reoccuring theme those U.S. spec pads. I must say ive not heard to many problems down here with brakes just the odd few. Mine have been exemplary after $23,000 km's. Id say those Euro pads might be the go?
There's plenty of talk and info in the forum here about those issues. Use the search button with the find feature in the title threads to see if someones found a solution . Good luck.

 

[Silverghost]

I have a 2019 GT2 with the same brake issues and vibration as all the other poor souls out there. Kia was seriously "out to lunch" when they decided to build a high performance sports car and put crap brake pads on with a premium BREMBO set up. Total weakness! I just went round and round with my Kia dealer about this issue for my 6000 mile service. My car already had 500 General Manager miles on it when I bought it off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, it already had a vibrating steering wheel with gentle braking before the purchase.

Just got my car back from service and this is what the report said after I requested warranty brake replacement. "Tech and agent have agreed that the condition of the tires (flat spotting on the balancer and sidewall wear and feathering consistent with high speed cornering) that NO warranty repairs should be performed at this time. Tech will release the vehicle and agent will close. So, because of his driving habits we are not going to do anything".

Needless to say I was furious! This car is not a daily driver and sits in garage about 4/7 days per week. Bought in July 2019 and just turned 6000 miles in May 2020! No race tracks, no high speed cornering (other than the GM that drove it first). No bad driving - I am 52, not 18 years old! I am a trained DIY mechanic and take far better care of my cars that 99% of the population. I felt abused and humiliated.

You too, my friends, will be met with this ignorance and inability to problem solve when you go the KIA dealer for brake repairs as well. This type of behavior by KIA is unacceptable, especially when they are already are privy to what the problem is. Pissing off customers and accusing them of being bad drivers is far from the legal and ethical solution. Man up KIA and take responsibility for the engineering screw up!

I contacted the owner of my dealership with a stern criticism of my treatment ad lack of service knowledge. I received no print out of worn tires or print out of anything except, "BAD DRIVER", and go home! I am going back this week for new brakes as KIA agreed to replace them once their ignorance and maltreatment was made visible to others involved. It took a call from the owner to change KIA Corporate's decision. It was the right decision though, to make it right with the customer.

I will also purchase aftermarket pads if the dealer does not have the better European spec pads for a better replacement fix. I found the discussion about the vibration problem to be very informative and helpful to all STINGER owners. Keep up the good work KIA FORUM Boys!

JAKE K

Sorry to hear Jake.
I just switched to my summer wheels and the dealership reported that there was still 7/10 front and 6/10 rear brakes on my awd 2018 car
After 55,000 km.
I dont feel any vibrations.
It must have been that first 500 miles the GM put on your car that created this problem. Ie not bedding in, but gunning it and not checking tire pressures etc.
Have you tried going direct to Kia Corporate with your issue?

 

[TimT]

I feel your pain man it seems to be a reoccuring theme those U.S. spec pads. I must say ive not heard to many problems down here with brakes just the odd few. Mine have been exemplary after $23,000 km's. Id say those Euro pads might be the go?
There's plenty of talk and info in the forum here about those issues. Use the search button with the find feature in the title threads to see if someones found a solution . Good luck.

Aftermarket high quality pads are cheap, as euro pad user I would say go for aftermarket performance, but I am also tracking the car etc... for regular driving the OEM pads are fantastic.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Howdy, Jake, and welcome, now that we know that you're here!

Like @Silverghost I've never had any issues with my OEM brakes, now at two-plus years and 33.5K miles. I've laid on them hard a handful of times; all the rest of the time I tend to coast up to stoplights and only apply brakes to come to a full stop. I still think that many drivers who believe that they are easy on their brakes have no idea. Then, there are the few vehicles that actually have mechanical issues; possibly a bad batch of brake pads, or a source for them that is subpar.

As I was reading your tale of woe I was hoping that it turned out that Kia came through. I don't know why so many owners have to push on Kia to behave vis-a-vis warranty work. But I do believe that Kia is getting better over time, not worse.

 

[G-36692]

Thanks for all the feedback on the brakes guys!

I just dropped in some INJEN red dual short ram air intakes with some new aftermarket blow off valves last Sunday in the garage. The total satisfaction, sound, and new power have provided me temporary amnesia about the horrible brake experience. I will drop it off at dealer next week for warranty brake replacement and see how it goes. Bottom line is I absolutely love this Stinger GT2. There is sooo much more good than bad. What great fun to drive!

 

[Glen1023]

I have a 2019 GT2 with the same brake issues and vibration as all the other poor souls out there. Kia was seriously "out to lunch" when they decided to build a high performance sports car and put crap brake pads on with a premium BREMBO set up. Total weakness! I just went round and round with my Kia dealer about this issue for my 6000 mile service. My car already had 500 General Manager miles on it when I bought it off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, it already had a vibrating steering wheel with gentle braking before the purchase.

Just got my car back from service and this is what the report said after I requested warranty brake replacement. "Tech and agent have agreed that the condition of the tires (flat spotting on the balancer and sidewall wear and feathering consistent with high speed cornering) that NO warranty repairs should be performed at this time. Tech will release the vehicle and agent will close. So, because of his driving habits we are not going to do anything".

Needless to say I was furious! This car is not a daily driver and sits in garage about 4/7 days per week. Bought in July 2019 and just turned 6000 miles in May 2020! No race tracks, no high speed cornering (other than the GM that drove it first). No bad driving - I am 52, not 18 years old! I am a trained DIY mechanic and take far better care of my cars that 99% of the population. I felt abused and humiliated.

You too, my friends, will be met with this ignorance and inability to problem solve when you go the KIA dealer for brake repairs as well. This type of behavior by KIA is unacceptable, especially when they are already are privy to what the problem is. Pissing off customers and accusing them of being bad drivers is far from the legal and ethical solution. Man up KIA and take responsibility for the engineering screw up!

I contacted the owner of my dealership with a stern criticism of my treatment ad lack of service knowledge. I received no print out of worn tires or print out of anything except, "BAD DRIVER", and go home! I am going back this week for new brakes as KIA agreed to replace them once their ignorance and maltreatment was made visible to others involved. It took a call from the owner to change KIA Corporate's decision. It was the right decision though, to make it right with the customer.

I will also purchase aftermarket pads if the dealer does not have the better European spec pads for a better replacement fix. I found the discussion about the vibration problem to be very informative and helpful to all STINGER owners. Keep up the good work KIA FORUM Boys!

JAKE K

I have a 2020 GT1 with about 1500 miles on it that I bought in 2/2020, and over the last 200 miles I have had some squealing from the brakes from just light braking from me or the adaptive cruise slowing me down.
I have read that Brembo brakes are notorious for squealing under light braking conditions, that they like to be run hard.
I read issues with these Brembo’s on Fords-Dodges-Lexus-Chevys.
The dealer saw the car a could of weeks ago and of course all looked normal which I figured would be the case; service departments do what is minimal to get by in my opinion.
In my 33 years of driving I never had to deal with high performance brakes, but squealing on light braking is not satisfactory on a $50K car.
I’m a light on my brakes and should not have to apply strong pressure on the brake pedal so I do not hear that sound.
This bedding thing sounds like something I could have done, but I should have to do that from keeping my brakes from squealing.
I’m going to call the Kia VIP number on Monday morning to see how far I can take this since I’m a loyal Kia customer having three Optimas prior to my Stinger.

 

[CKeeler]

I have a 2019 GT2 with the same brake issues and vibration as all the other poor souls out there. Kia was seriously "out to lunch" when they decided to build a high performance sports car and put crap brake pads on with a premium BREMBO set up. Total weakness! I just went round and round with my Kia dealer about this issue for my 6000 mile service. My car already had 500 General Manager miles on it when I bought it off the showroom floor. Unfortunately, it already had a vibrating steering wheel with gentle braking before the purchase.

Just got my car back from service and this is what the report said after I requested warranty brake replacement. "Tech and agent have agreed that the condition of the tires (flat spotting on the balancer and sidewall wear and feathering consistent with high speed cornering) that NO warranty repairs should be performed at this time. Tech will release the vehicle and agent will close. So, because of his driving habits we are not going to do anything".

Needless to say I was furious! This car is not a daily driver and sits in garage about 4/7 days per week. Bought in July 2019 and just turned 6000 miles in May 2020! No race tracks, no high speed cornering (other than the GM that drove it first). No bad driving - I am 52, not 18 years old! I am a trained DIY mechanic and take far better care of my cars that 99% of the population. I felt abused and humiliated.

You too, my friends, will be met with this ignorance and inability to problem solve when you go the KIA dealer for brake repairs as well. This type of behavior by KIA is unacceptable, especially when they are already are privy to what the problem is. Pissing off customers and accusing them of being bad drivers is far from the legal and ethical solution. Man up KIA and take responsibility for the engineering screw up!

I contacted the owner of my dealership with a stern criticism of my treatment ad lack of service knowledge. I received no print out of worn tires or print out of anything except, "BAD DRIVER", and go home! I am going back this week for new brakes as KIA agreed to replace them once their ignorance and maltreatment was made visible to others involved. It took a call from the owner to change KIA Corporate's decision. It was the right decision though, to make it right with the customer.

I will also purchase aftermarket pads if the dealer does not have the better European spec pads for a better replacement fix. I found the discussion about the vibration problem to be very informative and helpful to all STINGER owners. Keep up the good work KIA FORUM Boys!

JAKE K

Glad to see you’re not letting it squelch your enjoyment out of the car. Once I replaced my discs and front pads with aftermarket units I’ve been happy about them. They do squeal at first when cold but then grab hard when warm.

 

[Glen1023]

“squelch” a good one.
Well if the Kia VIP Line comes up empty for me then I’ll deal with the occasional annoying brake squeal.
Since I’m in a lease, I do not want to drop new pads and whatever into a car that should be relatively quiet braking in a pretty pricey vehicle.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Since I’m in a lease, I do not want to drop new pads and whatever into a car that should be relatively quiet braking in a pretty pricey vehicle.

Ah, but that's where your expectations are not according to "book". The owners manual states that "high performance Brembo brakes" can exhibit noises, such as "scritch" "rrrrr sound", etc. This is perfectly normal operation.

 

[Glen1023]

Ah, but that's where your expectations are not according to "book". The owners manual states that "high performance Brembo brakes" can exhibit noises, such as "scritch" "rrrrr sound", etc. This is perfectly normal operation.

I can agree with you on that, but it seems when people drop in aftermarket pads and rotors the noises seem to disappear.
I understand that comparing my three previous Optimas to the Stinger is like comparing apples and oranges, but I just don’t happen to like the squealing sound.
Your brakes noise free may I please ask?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Your brakes noise free may I please ask?

Yes. 34K miles and counting. No noise. So, the manual caveat was mistaken in my case, I'm happy to say.

 

[TimT]

In my 33 years of driving I never had to deal with high performance brakes, but squealing on light braking is not satisfactory on a $50K car.
I’m a light on my brakes and should not have to apply strong pressure on the brake pedal so I do not hear that sound.
This bedding thing sounds like something I could have done, but I should have to to keep my brakes from squealing.

Having used different BMWs, Civic Type R-s, Seat Leon Cupras etc all with Brembo pads the only thing I can say is that light squealing is completely normal for performance brakes, especially Brembos, babying the car too much will only help it happen. The only thing I can suggest is getting aftermarket non-performance pads. If you do end up getting them replaced under warranty, it will only be because of the incompetence of the Kia side.
Shuttering / vibration from poor & easilly warping discs is a different thing and for that you can ask your Kia technician to get you European Stinger brake discs not US ones as they use different parts between the two areas of the world.

In terms of my own OEM brakes, they have light squeal when cold and occasionally when reversing to a parking spot, but it is completely normal and compared to other Brembos I have heard, rather quiet also.

 

[Glen1023]

Having used different BMWs, Civic Type R-s, Seat Leon Cupras etc all with Brembo pads the only thing I can say is that light squealing is completely normal for performance brakes, especially Brembos, babying the car too much will only help it happen. The only thing I can suggest is getting aftermarket non-performance pads. If you do end up getting them replaced under warranty, it will only be because of the incompetence of the Kia side.
Shuttering / vibration from poor & easilly warping discs is a different thing and for that you can ask your Kia technician to get you European Stinger brake discs not US ones as they use different parts between the two areas of the world.

In terms of my own OEM brakes, they have light squeal when cold and occasionally when reversing to a parking spot, but it is completely normal and compared to other Brembos I have heard, rather quiet also.

Luckily at this point in time I don’t have warped rotors since upon slowing down from high speeds I’m not getting any vibrations throughout the car, especially in the steering wheel.
I did read that the non-performance pads will help quiet the squealing, but the stopping power is diminished a bit.
Since I don’t intend on doing any track days, I could live with that.
I’ll call the VIP line tomorrow and see if they will help me out at all.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Shuttering / vibration from poor & easilly warping discs is a different thing

Luckily at this point in time I don’t have warped rotors

And you never will. Rotors can only "warp" if ever at super high temperatures, pushing beyond 1100F. The rotors look like they're on fire. Then, only maybe, can a rotor warp from the heat. Nothing but heat will warp any rotor.

What "warped rotors" means is uneven surface from pad deposit buildup, so that the pads grab and release rapidly. Shuddering. If cementite has not ruined the rotor surface, the pad deposits can be scrubbed off by rebedding the pads/rotors. If the rotor got hot enough to form cementite patches then they are done and need to be replaced. Cementite is where the iron has been "heat treated" by harsh, sustained braking, such that the "heat treated" areas are harder than the normal rotor surface. Even if there are no pad deposits, the softer (normal) surface will wear down faster than the harder (cementite) areas, causing worse and worse pulsating (shuddering) when braking. I suspect that the sensation will become so annoying that any normal driver will cease to put up with it and change out the rotors long before they become an actual safety concern.

 

[TimT]

Luckily at this point in time I don’t have warped rotors since upon slowing down from high speeds I’m not getting any vibrations throughout the car, especially in the steering wheel.
I did read that the non-performance pads will help quiet the squealing, but the stopping power is diminished a bit.
Since I don’t intend on doing any track days, I could live with that.
I’ll call the VIP line tomorrow and see if they will help me out at all.

Honestly speaking, considering you drive your car quite softly, I'm sure that alot of the noise could be softened or gotten rid of with the 'bedding in' process but not even perhaps that hardcore as some guides would say you need to do it. Get up to about 70mph and try maybe 5 heavy brakes to 0 and see what happens. After one of my recent track days my pads (I have the euro ones, which are the "good ones") started squealing terribly (which I'm guessing is around the level that you have) and going from 110km/h to standstill a few times helped it. Additionally I had gathered a fair bit of dust and other materials around the brakes so giving them an in-depth cleanse helped aswell.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Get up to about 70mph and try maybe 5 heavy brakes to 0 and see what happens.

You might end up with pad deposits with the US spec pads. Letting the brakes cool before standing still is recommended. So, 70, hard braking down to say 20 and then let cool before coming to a full stop.

 

[Glen1023]

My wife and I have a brushless car wash subscription, so my car gets washed at least once a week.
I have read about the process of “bedding” which works for some, bit for others the squealing comes back.
Excuse my ignorance, but I leave in the suburbs of Denver and unsure where I can get my speeds up to 70 and down to 0 at least once let alone five times or more.

 

[Old Timer]

My wife and I have a brushless car wash subscription, so my car gets washed at least once a week.
I have read about the process of “bedding” which works for some, bit for others the squealing comes back.
Excuse my ignorance, but I leave in the suburbs of Denver and unsure where I can get my speeds up to 70 and down to 0 at least once let alone five times or more.

 

[Old Timer]

Please do yourself a favour, and Google " How to break in new disc brakes". You will get a number of well-sourced authoratative sites explaining what brake shudder comes from, how to avoid it, and how to cure it. They will also explain that the possibility of "warped rotors" is almost ZERO. It comes from an uneven application of pad material. The recommended breakin procedure amongst all the credible sources is almost identical in overall descriptions. It is worth noting that the hugely emphasized caveat on all the sites, is that when the rotors get really hot, never, never, never come to a complete stop with your foot on the brake, as the VERY hot pads will make an indelible imprint on your rotors [just like a branding iron] that will then be pretty well impossible to correct without part replacement.
"Knowlege is power".
Sure hope this is helpful to all concerned... :-}