What a nightmare buying a stinger

[Dafoumanchew]

Please hear me out and share any info/feedback of what you've experienced.

So I have been on this forum for a bit and been researching the vehicle for sometime. I'm in Canada so I was looking to get a Kia Stinger GT limited ghost grey... hell of a deal I think for 48k with winter tires. They had to find the vehicle on locate and it was in Quebec City area (I'm in Ottawa). It took a while for it to get in, came in though last Wednesday, then they said winter tires were on back-order... oddly enough I call around and found some so magically they could get me some Toyo Observes so I said sure let's do that and I would pick it up Friday... On my way to the dealership, 10 minutes away. Get a call telling me car won't be ready until Monday, little did I know the reason for it was that when they pulled the vehicle out several lights including the following: Check engine light, EPB, Auto Hold flashing, and shows on in centre and can't turn off, traction control. (Again picking up the vehicle monday they tell me this after I get there saying it was an issue with the battery and they replaced the battery saying it sat for too long).
All excited I pick up the vehicle finalize everything, for the inconvenience they're throwing in a weather tech cargo mat for free. I have the vehicle though all is good, go for supper then come back to the vehicle... and all this happens again the lights all appear. As I'm driving with this all on, saying maybe it'll go away, I go through an intersection and have to speed up a little I get a warning "check advanced forward collision" or something of that nature... not able to accelerate now and have to pull over and turn the car off. This happened a few more times as I attempted to make my way back to the dealership, at some points the car was struggling to turn back on, it was bogging down and when hitting the gas it would barely rev, which was extremely concerning and also could smell something burning (I assume it's the parking brake as per the EPB) All that to be said I ended up parking the vehicle in a parking lot, got a ride back to the dealership and have now been driving a new Sorento (yay.... not).

This being said i'm being offered to get a new stinger, or walk away.... I want to know is this a one off, has anyone had similar issues? I love this vehicle but the concerns and reliability of this vehicle having this issue 53 km's in... is scary to think of after buying a top end performance vehicle such as this, I don't want to say this one vehicle is what i'll expect from the next.

Sorry for the long thread but what an ordeal this has been.

 

[Eugene Onegin]

Don't get emotionaly involved with cars walk away and look for something else

 

[zmanelite]

Get the new one and call it a day

 

[Dafoumanchew]

Don't get emotionaly involved with cars walk away and look for something else

Get the new one and call it a day

That's the hard part I've been wanting this for a while and worked my way up to getting the deal that made sense and wanted it, but can't let one bad apple ruin the whole lot either is the way i'm thinking, just really want to know if anyone else has a similar issue with those lights coming on. At least the new one i'll avoid the possibility of a lemon (I hope).

 

[SteveCo]

I want to know is this a one off, has anyone had similar issues?

Never head of anyone having anything evenly remotely like that happen. As several sub-systems are involved it sounds like a computer control issue - this car has a lot of electronics packed into it.

It's a great car, and it sounds like you got a good deal. If they are offering you a new replacement vs. trying to fix the problem child, I'd say take it and enjoy!

 

[Dafoumanchew]

Never head of anyone having anything evenly remotely like that happen. As several sub-systems seems to be involved it sounds like a computer control issue - this car has a lot of electronics packed into it.

It's a great car, and it sounds like you got a good deal. If they are offering you a new replacement vs. trying to fix the problem child, I'd say take it and enjoy!

I agree... and part of my condition will be getting a detailed report of what the hell was wrong with this one, knowing they're capable of resolving it, i've read about dealerships who don't have Stinger Techs, which this dealer doesn't have... safe to say I'm considering another dealership to service the vehicle when all is said and done.

 

[NS_Stinger]

Ive been on this forum for a while and never heard of this before so I think its safe to say this was a very rare case. As others have said Id scoop up another on and move on. Hopefully they can track another one down in that colour for you.

 

[hummus]

In case you wanted to give this car another chance: A similar thing would happen on some German cars I've owned--odd warning lights and messages, though I didn't experience rough starting or bogging engine.

In my case, it came down to two causes: On the Mercedes, it was the brake lamp switch (levered by the brake pedal); on the BMW it was the ABS sensor at the wheel. Brake lamp switch was an easy fix, essentially plug-and-play either tool free or with a screwdriver. ABS sensor was also essentially plug-and-play, though it was of course a bit more work to get to. Not sure if the either of these apply to the Stinger, but it may be worth mentioning to the dealer. If this works, you might be able to get more courtesy from them to try out the car (and hopefully get some money back or something else of value) while leaving the door opening to replace the car if you see signs of other troubles or decide it's not worth the risk.

Either way, I wouldn't be discouraged by the platform. It's really satisfying to own and the strong warranty mitigates lots of risk.

 

[DCBStingerGT]

Hi there @Dafoumanchew , i believe it was just bad luck that you were given a Stinger with such issues, doesn't mean that another Stinger will be the same, have not heard until now any issues like you have experienced on this forum from any other owner/member , do not know if you have heard of Brantford Kia in Canada, i'm an Aussie so i do not know your geological location to this Kia dealership, but many of our forum members have watched the Stinger videos they have produced over the last year, the guy Peter who is in the videos is great at what he does, look up Brantford Kia on Youtube, they have some of the best informative videos on Stinger, Peter was also chosen to participate in a video for Kia America, which you can search for on Youtube, seems like you may have the best experience either purchasing a Stinger from them, or just getting yours serviced by them, and you can talk to Peter yourself, anyway this might be a whole waste, as Brantford Kia maybe too far for you..haha, thought i would just offer you this suggestion...Goodluck.

 

[Dafoumanchew]

Hi there @Dafoumanchew , i believe it was just bad luck that you were given a Stinger with such issues, doesn't mean that another Stinger will be the same, have not heard until now any issues like you have experienced on this forum from any other owner/member , do not know if you have heard of Brantford Kia in Canada, i'm an Aussie so i do not know your geological location to this Kia dealership, but many of our forum members have watched the Stinger videos they have produced over the last year, the guy Peter who is in the videos is great at what he does, look up Brantford Kia on Youtube, they have some of the best informative videos on Stinger, Peter was also chosen to participate in a video for Kia America, which you can search for on Youtube, seems like you may have the best experience either purchasing a Stinger from them, or just getting yours serviced by them, and you can talk to Peter yourself, anyway this might be a whole waste, as Brantford Kia maybe too far for you..haha, thought i would just offer you this suggestion...Goodluck.

I appreciate that, unfortunately it's about 4+ hours away I believe lol but have seen his videos, that being said it seems as though he may be well connected and could be someone worth reaching out too if ever issues re-appeared but leaning towards the new model, with a potential 200,000km's 84 month warranty.... only because I drive approximately 30-35,000 km's a year so 5/100,000 is gone in 3 years for me lol

 

[MerlintheMad]

I'll just put in my confirmation that yours is the only case I've heard of that has that many warning lights and the engine suffering to boot; I'll bet they are connected: fix the causes of the warning lights and the engine will be good to go.

And if these guys will get you a completely different car then how can you ask for more than that?

 

[Dafoumanchew]

I'll just put in my confirmation that yours is the only case I've heard of that has that many warning lights and the engine suffering to boot; I'll bet they are connected: fix the causes of the warning lights and the engine will be good to go.

And if these guys will get you a completely different car then how can you ask for more than that?

Haha I know, but i'm asking for 50% off the extended warranty just because of the ordeal... we'll see if they bite

 

[Waynerm002]

Sorry to hear about your issues, these things do occur on all vehicles lines at some point or another, doesn't mean it is an issue across all cars, you got one that has some or probably 1 issue, a bad computer. I purchased a new (2000 I think the year was) body style Audi A4 which died once I got it home, had to get it towed back to the dealer. Now prior to this I had the car for about 2 hours on a test drive and it was fine, no issues whatsoever. The issue came after I got it home and was going back out when it wouldn't start, turned out the computer went bad. It was replaced and it was one of the best and fun cars I had in my years of driving. If they are offering you a new car, take it, unless you are willing to wait for them to sort out the issues with the one you want. The Sorento is nice, not a Stinger but I figure it's a solid ride. Keep us posted on this.

 

[GRStinger]

I confirm with the other posts here: that's the first I've hear of that. The fact that the dealership will replace with another vehicle says a lot. Take it. The original car probably has more problems ahead. I don't know what the laws are like in Canada, but here in the States - at-least here in MI - you have 3 days grace for 'buyer's regret'. Get something in writing like that for car #2. If you still aren't satisfied, nix the deal. I doubt that will happen though.

 

[mldavis2]

That is one of the real issues with dealer trades. It doesn't happen often, but they might have had that car with problems and had a chance to ship it off to another dealer to deal with what they didn't want to fix or didn't have technicians able to diagnose it. You didn't say how many miles on the car, but I'm betting it was a demo or might even have been a damaged car. Then they ran the battery flat trying to work on the car. Not very smart. I'd be very concerned about that dealer's service department in addition to their honesty about the car. I'd find another new Stinger and another dealer.

 

[SteveCo]

You didn't say how many miles on the car, but I'm betting it was a demo or might even have been a damaged car.

Only about 30 miles, after he'd been driving it - so doubtful it was used and abused. Sounds to me like the dealer is taking the high road on this, and offering to replace it with another brand new vehicle.

I love this vehicle but the concerns and reliability of this vehicle having this issue 53 km's in...

 

[Doel]

It's probably one small issue, unfortunately electronic issues are incredibly hard to pin point, especially on a new car. It's nice they're just going to give you a new one.

I had a Toyota back in the day that had a bad ground, just one wire, all kinds of crazy warning lights kicked on and the car wouldn't drive properly.

 

[Revvdmedia]

I would say it will just be easier to take the replacement. Swap everything over to the new car and call it good. You've barely had it so no reason to keep it. The dealer can mess around with this one and re-sell it later.

 

[Dafoumanchew]

I would say it will just be easier to take the replacement. Swap everything over to the new car and call it good. You've barely had it so no reason to keep it. The dealer can mess around with this one and re-sell it later.

We're working on getting the new car, they've cancelled the loan already luckily only 48 hours since... and then I'm negotiating a deal on the extended 200,000km 84 month warranty (drive about 30,000-35,000 km's a year) this way I have some peace of mind and also rental car if ever issues and need to get repaired, and if all goes well... money back at the end. Still super excited to get this car!! Has been super fun to test drive and drive (for 2 hours while it was mine lol)

 

[MerlintheMad]

Sounds great! These guys want you to be happy and coming back.