Kia Sorts Out Stinger Paint Issue, Offers Other Stingers for Owners Who Can't Be Bothered

We told you recently about an odd issue Kia’s having with a select group of rear-drive Stinger sports sedans. It seems those painted in eye-catching Sunset Yellow have a tendency to flake and peel — like a Canadian at the beach. In short, the paint won’t stay on, and Kia traced the source back to some oil residue that made its way into the vibrant coating sprayed on a small number of Stingers.

In the U.S., just 400 special edition Sunset Yellow Stingers found buyers, making the issue quite limited in scope, but nonetheless troubling. Buyers won’t be happy once the sedan starts shedding its skin. Luckily, Kia has a plan.

According to Motor Authority, owners won’t have to put up with chipping and cracking on their hood, doors, A-pillars, and trunklid.

Kia worked out a solution that involves arranging a repainting job through the dealer, with the respray (of likely-to-be-affected areas) in keeping with Kia’s guidelines. Going this route nets you a temporary loaner from Kia, plus a $5,000 “financial goodwill gesture” to turn frowns upside down. Note: you can’t select a new color.

But maybe the experience soured you. Can’t trust yellow paint anymore? Too sunny? Kia’s got other options waiting. Should an owner prefer to forego a respray, the automaker will purchase the car back, or flip the owner into an equivalent Stinger model. You’ll still have a Stinger, just one that won’t make like Big Bird after the bombs fall.

The only stipulation here is that it’s time sensitive. Kia began mailing out notices to affected Stinger owners in July, with those drivers given 30 days to respond if they’re thinking of going the car replacement route. The automaker’s goodwill on that front dries up December 1st of this year.

[Image: Kia]