New 2020 GT Stinger with rust under seats and behind dash panels

[c4mn]

Hi All, received a new white 2020 GT Stinger about 2 weeks ago, brand-new. It took some 7 weeks to arrive as it had to come from the factory to Australia. I was poking around the car on the weekend and noticed what appeared to be rust under the driver's seat. Had a good look and found it all through the interior of the car, mostly where a weld has taken place. I have contacted Kia and sent them some photos, in the meantime I was curious as to whether anyone else has experienced this. I have attached some photos, interested in thoughts & opinions. Cheers.

 

[ShannonC]

Wow, that's not good and must be so disappointing for you to discover. What build date is it?
I think I'd be pushing for a full reimbursement or replacement. Looking forward to learning how KIA reacts.
Where are you located?

 

[Nasscar]

Haven’t heard of any similar issues on this forum. Quite bizarre. Let us know how you go with Kia.

 

[Stock_stinger]

Those are literally spots that aren't supposed to be seen by the user. Every car will look that way given a tad bit of moisture. Just reaching for complaint on this one. It's bare steel with no point in a cavity. The only time it'll lead to an issue is if it's in water all the time which it's not.

 

[Stock_stinger]

Wow, that's not good and must be so disappointing for you to discover. What build date is it?
I think I'd be pushing for a full reimbursement or replacement. Looking forward to learning how KIA reacts.
Where are you located?

You'll never find one without rust lol

 

[ShannonC]

You'll never find one without rust lol

Never experienced that in any of the 20+ cars I've had.

 

[Nereth]

What build days? I just received by June 20 build GT in Australia last week - could have been the same ship!

 

[oddball]

That's just surface rust on bare parts. Absolutely nothing to worry about. The car might've been exposed to more salt spray than usual or something for it to happen that quick. But, that kind of thing is normal.

 

[Stock_stinger]

Never experienced that in any of the 20+ cars I've had.

You tearing your dash apart to find rust too?

 

[c4mn]

What build days? I just received by June 20 build GT in Australia last week - could have been the same ship!

Built July 20, most likely came over together. I am in WA.

 

[Silvermanor]

You guys are joking right? This is not normal.

 

[c4mn]

Appreciate the feedback Stock_stinger and oddball. It does look like a condensation issue and is only on the bare metal and rubs off reasonably easily. Checked for moisture and everything appears dry. Going into the dealer later this week as the service manager wants to have a good look. They are going to assess and remove and possibly treat with something to prevent a reoccurrence.

 

[ChaneRZ]

That’s not normal.

 

[Kamauxx]

Appreciate the feedback Stock_stinger and oddball. It does look like a condensation issue and is only on the bare metal and rubs off reasonably easily. Checked for moisture and everything appears dry. Going into the dealer later this week as the service manager wants to have a good look. They are going to assess and remove and possibly treat with something to prevent a reoccurrence.

If I were you I'd avoid having a Kia service center disassemble any part of the car unless it was already about to fall apart. There's a decent chance thiis is going to end up worse than it currently is.

 

[MerlintheMad]

I bet it is normal. I'm not looking at mine to see. But I'll just assume that here and there surface rust is unavoidable. If rust keeps getting wet it will get worse and deeper. But surface rust can be just that indefinitely. Why it would be a problem on a car is up to someone else to say. I'm not going to worry about it and start removing door panels, seats and getting under there with a flashlight.

 

[Silvermanor]

I bet it is normal. I'm not looking at mine to see. But I'll just assume that here and there surface rust is unavoidable. If rust keeps getting wet it will get worse and deeper. But surface rust can be just that indefinitely. Why it would be a problem on a car is up to someone else to say. I'm not going to worry about it and start removing door panels, seats and getting under there with a flashlight.

We wouldn't expect you to say anything otherwise. I have never seen a new car with rust like that under the seats, ever, period. In fact I haven't seen that much rust underneath the seats on cars that are 20 years old, including one of my own. The only time I've ever seen something like that is when a car has flood damage. It's not normal, at all, for any brand, make or model.

 

[Frank D Harders]

You guys are joking right? This is not normal.

Some of the photos show normal rust spots others not so much. Hope kia can assist in removing and seal so it does not return.

 

[SwordfishCoupe]

That does not look good, the only car I have seen rust on seat frames was my brand new Monaro, I just thought the Aussies left the inside seat frames out in the wet. Took me a while to clean it all off but I did sort it as loved that car

 

[MerlintheMad]

We wouldn't expect you to say anything otherwise. I have never seen a new car with rust like that under the seats, ever, period. In fact I haven't seen that much rust underneath the seats on cars that are 20 years old, including one of my own. The only time I've ever seen something like that is when a car has flood damage. It's not normal, at all, for any brand, make or model.

You're a funny one. Car comes across the ocean; sits who knows where for months; humid conditions abound in the Pacific. So, what's the big deal? If it doesn't get wet again nothing is going to happen. None of it is visible unless you go looking for it. The car will rust out from the bottom up long before any of those speckles/spots undo anything.

 

[Silvermanor]

You're a funny one. Car comes across the ocean; sits who knows where for months; humid conditions abound in the Pacific. So, what's the big deal? If it doesn't get wet again nothing is going to happen. None of it is visible unless you go looking for it. The car will rust out from the bottom up long before any of those speckles/spots undo anything.

You could take the seats out of 10,000 new BMWs and you won't find rust under the seats. Knock it off.