only1harry
Member
I experineced the same exact issue with vibrations that many 2018 GT/GT1 owners have been complaining about. Sad really that Kia has not done anything to improve the 2019's, because I really to want to purchase one, but I am not going to drive myself nuts like several other owners trying to eliminate the vibrations. I really hate steering vibrations as much as rattles or more, especially on a new car.
So I test drove the same 2019 GT AWD twice. The first time the vibration in the steering wheel was really bad and was also felt through the seat, so I got a little upset and only drove it about 3-4 miles. I turned back prematurely, hopped in my car and peeled out of there as they were trying to tell me that it was all normal. The GM called me in the morning and said he test drove it and felt no vibrations. I decided to return today for another test drive thinking maybe they balanced the wheels properly or fixed something.
This time I drove the car 9-10 miles to make sure the tires were warmed up properly, and varied speed a lot more as well as getting on the highway. I experienced the same things except to a lesser degree. Here they are:
- Vibration in the steering wheel was always present from 30mph. It got worst at 45mph and again at ~65mph. It did not increase at all from 65 to 90mph. Vibration intensity would vary even on freshly paved smooth roads, whether coasting or getting on the gas.
- Excessive road & tire noise still there - that did not change from test drive #1
- Experienced a howling/high pitch noise or wind noise like a window was cracked open, but it went away, to only came back a 2nd time, and then was gone again after a few secs (scary stuff..).
I should say that before my 2nd test drive I checked the tire pressures first, and they were 46 all around. I adjusted them to 38/40. 2nd test drive was entirely in Comfort mode, whereas 1st test drive was entirely in Sport mode. Temp yesterday was 38, today 28.
Conclusion: the steering vibration which was pretty much felt throughout the car and also acknowledged by the sales manager was there both times, but about 30-40% less pronounced in test drive #2. Maybe because I lowered the tire pressures before we rolled - don't know. Bottom line is I am NOT buying this car. It had 50 miles and the saleswoman yesterday said several others had test driven it. I am sure they felt the vibrations and excessive cabin noise and ran as I did, but did not return like I did
I will keep searching until I find one without the vibrations if that's possible. I don't mind the road/tire noise as much as the vibrations. That would drive me nuts day in day out especially knowing I paid >$40K (with tax) for the car. I am going to ask the dealer to put 19" on the GT, but I am sure they won't. I think they are done with me. I asked them if I could drive the only GT1 (w/18") or only GT2 (w/19") they had in the lot to compare, and they said the GT1 was sold, and they don't like anyone driving the GT2 because it already had some miles on it. So they were not willing to do anything for me, even though the sales manager that was on the test drive with me admitted feeling some vibration through his seat. After we got back, he said it all felt normal to him! And then asked me if I wanted the car. I told him no, not with the vibrations unless they eliminated them. He said that's how they all are, so I left telling him I will drive other Stingers (which I intend to do) to see if they have the same issue.
I feel for you guys that have a Stinger with vibrations. I really think it's not the tires as much because people that have replaced the tires with Michelin or others still have the vibrations. It could be some of the 18" wheels are not to spec, and you have to get a really good wheel balance to compensate for an out of spec wheel, and even then... One thing all these cars have in common is the 18" rims, not the tires, since it happens with different brand tires. If not out of spec or "bad" rims, then something is going on with the drivetrain, steering rack, U-joint, CV joint, tie rods, 1 of the ball joints, take your pick. They all cause the same type of vibration. I know because I 've had all those go bad in some of my other/older cars (and wife's) that I put a lot of miles on, or raced them (used to do a lot of racing).
I also think a 225-45-18 tire is a little too small & light for a 4,100+ pound AWD Stinger. Maybe that's why the cars equipped with 19" don't have the vibration issue, or the 18" wheel has a design flaw and the tire doesn't fit right on them or roll properly? Is the max. load rating higher on the 19" tires? I am reaching at this point, but I would love to know if anyone upgraded to 19" wheels/tires and eliminated the vibrations.
I am going to drive a couple of more Stinger GT's IF I can find any (not many around), or maybe a GT1 and will make an effort to drive 1 with 19" wheels to compare but I really don't want to spend $ on a GT1. GT1/GT2 seem to be the only ones that come with 19" wheels (some, not all), unless I can find a dealer that is willing to upgrade to 19's on a GT for a small fee $.
Will report back after a few more test drives. Not many to pick from though and noone near me has the Panthera Metal that I like. A couple of Dealers told me they are not getting new ones in until February.
So I test drove the same 2019 GT AWD twice. The first time the vibration in the steering wheel was really bad and was also felt through the seat, so I got a little upset and only drove it about 3-4 miles. I turned back prematurely, hopped in my car and peeled out of there as they were trying to tell me that it was all normal. The GM called me in the morning and said he test drove it and felt no vibrations. I decided to return today for another test drive thinking maybe they balanced the wheels properly or fixed something.
This time I drove the car 9-10 miles to make sure the tires were warmed up properly, and varied speed a lot more as well as getting on the highway. I experienced the same things except to a lesser degree. Here they are:
- Vibration in the steering wheel was always present from 30mph. It got worst at 45mph and again at ~65mph. It did not increase at all from 65 to 90mph. Vibration intensity would vary even on freshly paved smooth roads, whether coasting or getting on the gas.
- Excessive road & tire noise still there - that did not change from test drive #1
- Experienced a howling/high pitch noise or wind noise like a window was cracked open, but it went away, to only came back a 2nd time, and then was gone again after a few secs (scary stuff..).
I should say that before my 2nd test drive I checked the tire pressures first, and they were 46 all around. I adjusted them to 38/40. 2nd test drive was entirely in Comfort mode, whereas 1st test drive was entirely in Sport mode. Temp yesterday was 38, today 28.
Conclusion: the steering vibration which was pretty much felt throughout the car and also acknowledged by the sales manager was there both times, but about 30-40% less pronounced in test drive #2. Maybe because I lowered the tire pressures before we rolled - don't know. Bottom line is I am NOT buying this car. It had 50 miles and the saleswoman yesterday said several others had test driven it. I am sure they felt the vibrations and excessive cabin noise and ran as I did, but did not return like I did
I will keep searching until I find one without the vibrations if that's possible. I don't mind the road/tire noise as much as the vibrations. That would drive me nuts day in day out especially knowing I paid >$40K (with tax) for the car. I am going to ask the dealer to put 19" on the GT, but I am sure they won't. I think they are done with me. I asked them if I could drive the only GT1 (w/18") or only GT2 (w/19") they had in the lot to compare, and they said the GT1 was sold, and they don't like anyone driving the GT2 because it already had some miles on it. So they were not willing to do anything for me, even though the sales manager that was on the test drive with me admitted feeling some vibration through his seat. After we got back, he said it all felt normal to him! And then asked me if I wanted the car. I told him no, not with the vibrations unless they eliminated them. He said that's how they all are, so I left telling him I will drive other Stingers (which I intend to do) to see if they have the same issue.
I feel for you guys that have a Stinger with vibrations. I really think it's not the tires as much because people that have replaced the tires with Michelin or others still have the vibrations. It could be some of the 18" wheels are not to spec, and you have to get a really good wheel balance to compensate for an out of spec wheel, and even then... One thing all these cars have in common is the 18" rims, not the tires, since it happens with different brand tires. If not out of spec or "bad" rims, then something is going on with the drivetrain, steering rack, U-joint, CV joint, tie rods, 1 of the ball joints, take your pick. They all cause the same type of vibration. I know because I 've had all those go bad in some of my other/older cars (and wife's) that I put a lot of miles on, or raced them (used to do a lot of racing).
I also think a 225-45-18 tire is a little too small & light for a 4,100+ pound AWD Stinger. Maybe that's why the cars equipped with 19" don't have the vibration issue, or the 18" wheel has a design flaw and the tire doesn't fit right on them or roll properly? Is the max. load rating higher on the 19" tires? I am reaching at this point, but I would love to know if anyone upgraded to 19" wheels/tires and eliminated the vibrations.
I am going to drive a couple of more Stinger GT's IF I can find any (not many around), or maybe a GT1 and will make an effort to drive 1 with 19" wheels to compare but I really don't want to spend $ on a GT1. GT1/GT2 seem to be the only ones that come with 19" wheels (some, not all), unless I can find a dealer that is willing to upgrade to 19's on a GT for a small fee $.
Will report back after a few more test drives. Not many to pick from though and noone near me has the Panthera Metal that I like. A couple of Dealers told me they are not getting new ones in until February.
