Kia Denying My Paint Warranty Claim

[burd_law_101]

At the end of May, I purchased a used 2018 Sunset Yellow Stinger GT from a local (WI) Hyundai dealer. The vehicle was a buyback due to the yellow paint recall at the end of 2018, which I acknowledged, but on the first inspection, I thought the paint looked pretty good and the dealer assured me that the vehicle was still under the factory paint warranty, as it only had ~8k on the clock when I picked it up. I am the second owner.

Fast forward two days and after living with the car and giving it a proper wash, I notice that the paint is chipping and bubbling around the vents on the hood. Additionally, the car is COVERED in runs that really aren't visible in the sunlight. I took the car into a reputable Kia dealer in the area, to at least get the hood repainted due to the chipping and bubbling. The Kia dealer brings in the regional parts and service manager for Kia USA, who subsequently denies my claim... due to the craftsmanship of the NY Kia dealer that performed the recall last year. Additionally, I'm continually asked if the car had been repainted after the recall, which really isn't possible as the recall was performed only 4 months before the car was bought-back by Kia.

That initial consultation at the dealer was almost a month ago now. I'm still working with Kia's customer service line (1-800-333-4KIA) on a claim to have the hood repainted, but it's a slow and agonizing process. Has anyone else been through a similar process? I really don't understand why poor craftsmanship on a recall would void my paint warranty.

 

[turboAWD]

Didn't they give the first owner $5k to cover any future issues? That was pretty much them washing their hands of it, AFAICT.

 

[burd_law_101]

Didn't they give the first owner $5k to cover any future issues? That was pretty much them washing their hands of it, AFAICT.

I suppose that is an accurate assessment. However, I was under the impression that the first owner would only get the $5k IF they accepted the call and kept the car. Those owners that either traded for a different car or sold it back to Kia did not get the "bonus." Either way, still wouldn't explain the original paint warranty being voided.

 

[MerlintheMad]

Simple: the original owner did "keep" the car. Then "later" they sold it. If they received the $5K cheque, that helped them decide to sell it (to help cover depreciation). All of that is water under the bridge for Kia. They won't give a second owner any warranty on corrected paint beyond the original 36 months from the original sold date (unless I am gravely mistaken on this: somebody can correct me: the respray acceptance date by the original owner does not create a new paint warranty date, does it?). You still have months or even a couple of years of paint warranty left.

I don't see Kia respraying a rather shabby craftsmanship respray. The original owner took possession of the respray (and their $5K cheque, it is assumed). So Kia is done with that part. But chipping/bubbling of the respray (was the hood in fact resprayed?) should be honored under warranty as faulty paint.

Welcome to the forum, and may your dialogue with Kia turn out successfully for you. And, I hope the rest of the car is a blast. Mine is!

 

[burd_law_101]

Thank you!

Your interpretation of the events definitely makes sense. I'm guessing that's exactly what happened. No one can seem to tell me exactly what was resprayed (outside of "Well, I see that the recall was closed...") or why my claim would be rejected for craftsmanship. The car is well within the original paint warranty. (only 14 months old/10k miles).