3.3TT Another Front Brake/Rotor Problem... Lost For Words

[Helo58]

I don't want to be "sour grapes" to everyone that is happy and optimistic about the brake problem or Kia's maintenance in general, so let my story be a cautionary reminder of what could happen. I had the brake vibration and issues with the limited slip differential on my 2018 GT. In the end, the Kia field service rep cited "outside influence" as the cause for both problems. They had "repaired" the brakes twice and replaced the limited slip once. When the issues resurfaced the 3rd and 2nd time, respectively, they refused to fix the problems. "Outside influence" is Kia speak for "the driver did it." After the shock of realizing that they weren't joking wore off, I left the dealership and promptly contacted legal representation to see if there was any recourse. The end of the story is that Kia ended up buying a car back that they could have fixed for less than $500 with new pads and rotors and changing the differential fluid. Needless to say they lost a customer in the process.

 

[ephone]

I don't want to be "sour grapes" to everyone that is happy and optimistic about the brake problem or Kia's maintenance in general, so let my story be a cautionary reminder of what could happen. I had the brake vibration and issues with the limited slip differential on my 2018 GT. In the end, the Kia field service rep cited "outside influence" as the cause for both problems. They had "repaired" the brakes twice and replaced the limited slip once. When the issues resurfaced the 3rd and 2nd time, respectively, they refused to fix the problems. "Outside influence" is Kia speak for "the driver did it." After the shock of realizing that they weren't joking wore off, I left the dealership and promptly contacted legal representation to see if there was any recourse. The end of the story is that Kia ended up buying a car back that they could have fixed for less than $500 with new pads and rotors and changing the differential fluid. Needless to say they lost a customer in the process.

They screwed over @Toddasaurus after he broke a stud on his turbo while putting downpipes on his G70. He bought a new turbo and replaced it himself, yet Hyundai put his warranty in "limp mode" and all his subsequent warranty work would have to be approved by the company. He sold it a few days ago out of disgust. I wish Hyundai luck trying to build the Genesis brand with the lack of a real dealer network and palpable disdain for their customers.

 

[Luc343]

For the US market, it looks like Kia tried to meet a certain price point, in order to sell more cars and some things got down graded as a result, like the brake pads...

The problem with doing that is a negative hit to Kia's reputation. Let hope they have learned from that!

 

[Helo58]

They screwed over @Toddasaurus after he broke a stud on his turbo while putting downpipes on his G70. He bought a new turbo and replaced it himself, yet Hyundai put his warranty in "limp mode" and all his subsequent warranty work would have to be approved by the company. He sold it a few days ago out of disgust. I wish Hyundai luck trying to build the Genesis brand with the lack of a real dealer network and palpable disdain for their customers.

The sad thing about mine is that is was/is completely stock and it wasn't beat on. I am sure it is one of the cleanest cars that they have ever repurchased. I hated to see it go, but I know when there is nothing left to stay for. A 10 year warranty doesn't mean much if they don't honor it. It is too bad because the companies (Kia, Genesis, and Hyundai) really have made a nice lineup for themselves. It was neat while it lasted. Now I have to decide what to get next. The pickings are slim in quick RWD/AWD full size sedan land unless you are willing to spend twice what a Stinger cost for equal performance/reliability. My hope is to find a low mileage certified GSF or LS500.

 

[Random386]

I understand your frustration as I share the same problem. But I realized the car is awesome with a bad component or two, but not the car's fault! KIA service of this issue is unacceptable. I'm going to invest in the proper parts and keep enjoying it. Good thing its reliable, Kia service is no good....

Hope I don't get this issue bc I had this same circle jerk on my last car and that's the reason I sold it haha.

Did my brake pads as they were worn rotors were fine. Month goes by brake pad worn n rotors seem grooved i didn't change my driving style it was still normal i put 25k on the rotors n brake pads before due for change. Went to a reputable third party i know, brakes n rotors done, 1-2 months same issue. I caved and went to the dealership n paid 2.5k for all oem, same thing once more. I finally said I'm done. I miss that car but f*ck that needy a**hole lol. One second its aww then another its utter sadness if you don't squint and look from a far.

Tho it kinda hurt man, I genuinely had some good memories with that car. Who knows I hope it still kicking in the future, I would buy it back and just do an ls swap or something bizarre rb34 lol.

 

[WRXtoStingerGT]

Crazy stories and good information to share with members on the forums here...

For me... I had them replace the front pads and front rotors TWICE within a 3 week period on a car with around 3000 miles and less than six months of ownership. I really want that to sink in lol...

With that said though... I love everything else about the car so far and am not too worried. If this problem returns a third time I will want them to either fix the problem entirely OR instead reimburse me if I choose to go with aftermarket front pads and front rotors.

I don't want to be the "type" to sue them or ask for a full refund (if this issue happens a third time) because the ONLY reason we went with the Kia Stinger over the other cars we were researching was the incredible warranty. But, as everyone else is saying though, what good is such an amazing warranty if they will not honor it and fight tooth and nail to deny people.

One question I have though... if I install a catback exhaust system can they deny any future warranty claims? Such as what happened to your friend previously as you stated?

 

[rredshirt]

I had the dreaded "50mph-15mph" shudder. I never brought it into the dealer, waste of my time. I bought cquence rotors, stoptech pads, and steal brake lines from a member on here and have had them installed for about 2 weeks. I did the bed in procedure and all seems good now. I really haven't truly tested them out, but from 50-15... I have no worries (I guess that's a good thing).

My opinion, KIA screwed the pooch on the brake stuff. I mean Brembo calipers for the looks and weak underneath parts...c'mon! I agree this should not be an issue for a car of this price point and power, but I'm guessing they shaved $$ where they could and they just haven't listened to the complaints. I think they are just worried about form over function in some areas on the car. Jerks.

Hello ScottM,
I bought Cquence Rotors as well. I got the drilled slotted rotors with new brake pad for the fronts and shaking still occurs, Cquence warrantied out the first pair and I had another mechanic put the new ones on and the same problem happens, I am so frustrated with the brake system, love my car.

What type of rotors did you go with?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Welcome @rredshirt . You could clarify: did you get aftermarket replacement pads, or a new set of OEM pads? Some aftermarket pads do not solve the shuddering issue; but most seem to do so. If you have issues with the OEM pads, it won't matter which rotors you get: the pad deposits will go onto any rotors you have. Many/most who solve the shuddering do so by making sure that their OEM rotors are clean, and then get aftermarket pads and bed them in. But for a minority, this does not work. Some then go all the way and replace rotors and pads (try a different brand) and a small segment of these still have problems (as pointed out on this thread). In these rare cases, clearly the rotors/pads are not the cause of the shuddering: it has to be something in the brake lines, or even some fault in the way one or more of the rotors or calipers are interfacing. This is when the issue turns into a warranty battle and Kia not always stepping up to the plate for the customer.

 

[GT Elite]

This is a somewhat old thread and the issue with North American Stingers has been well documented in this forum. As has been discussed, the issue is with the pads. Why is this?

As far as I‘m concerned it was Kia trying to be responsive to the”typical” North American driver who thinks their brakes are defective if they’ve squeal and who cannot tolerate brake dust. To get this, Kia used a pad that does not squeal and produces no dust. However, this type of pad is typically a low performance pad that does not tolerate heat very well. The result, uneven pad material transfer after stopping from higher speeds and especially if the driver presses hard on the brake pedal when stopped.

The fix is better brake pads as was suggested to WRXtoStinger to get euro pads. I expect those are higher performance pads that squeal from time to time and produce dust. To European drivers this is considered normal operation. For proof look at the wheels on some higher performance BMWs, Mercedes Benz’s and Audis. The pads on my C7 Z51 Corvette both squeal and produce dust, but this car has to be able to stop from 186 mph, so that is the price I pay for that level of brake performance. No catering to pansies!

In my case, I have a 2022 Elite (GT2) and at approx. 800 km’s I swapped out the rotors and pads for a Powerstop package of slotted and cross-drilled rotors and Z26 high performance pads, just to avoid the problem in the future. BTW, I know that cross-drilled rotors are just for show, but it was a package deal from Rock Auto.

I also wonder if people are properly bedding in the brakes. I did that on the way home from the shop and I got them hot enough that I could smell them and they were smoking (I could see the smoke from inside the car). This comes from my lapping days.

So far, all is good!

 

[Stinger GT SS]

This is a somewhat old thread and the issue with North American Stingers has been well documented in this forum. As has been discussed, the issue is with the pads. Why is this?

As far as I‘m concerned it was Kia trying to be responsive to the”typical” North American driver who thinks their brakes are defective if they’ve squeal and who cannot tolerate brake dust. To get this, Kia used a pad that does not squeal and produces no dust. However, this type of pad is typically a low performance pad that does not tolerate heat very well. The result, uneven pad material transfer after stopping from higher speeds and especially if the driver presses hard on the brake pedal when stopped.

The fix is better brake pads as was suggested to WRXtoStinger to get euro pads. I expect those are higher performance pads that squeal from time to time and produce dust. To European drivers this is considered normal operation. For proof look at the wheels on some higher performance BMWs, Mercedes Benz’s and Audis. The pads on my C7 Z51 Corvette both squeal and produce dust, but this car has to be able to stop from 186 mph, so that is the price I pay for that level of brake performance. No catering to pansies!

In my case, I have a 2022 Elite (GT2) and at approx. 800 km’s I swapped out the rotors and pads for a Powerstop package of slotted and cross-drilled rotors and Z26 high performance pads, just to avoid the problem in the future. BTW, I know that cross-drilled rotors are just for show, but it was a package deal from Rock Auto.

I also wonder if people are properly bedding in the brakes. I did that on the way home from the shop and I got them hot enough that I could smell them and they were smoking (I could see the smoke from inside the car). This comes from my lapping days.

So far, all is good!

I couldn’t agree more with your comments, it’s a performance car with performance brakes, at the very least expect dust on your wheels otherwise the pads are not doing their job properly.
I cannot understand the mentality of “I don’t want dust on my wheels” well it comes with the territory & guess what it washes off.

 

[RogueIV]

Nearly 25k on my Stinger now and still haven't encountered this issue.

 

[Username not found]

I would definitely recommend just getting aftermarket pads. When I took my car in for the recall, I asked them to check the brakes too (I was having the same vibration issues) but because I was at a bit over 14k they told me it was out of warranty. The warranty on the pads and rotors is only 12k and as I am sure many can attest, Kia service is really bad.

Just go aftermarket pads and be done with it.

 

[geltez]

If you are having pulsing, should you just get new pads or both rotors and pads?

 

[Rodtheviking]

If you are having pulsing, should you just get new pads or both rotors and pads?

Pads. And bed them properly and you should be fine.

Like these. It says they don't fit.. but they do. I have some and they fit just like OEM.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013KCEXXE?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

 

[geltez]

Pads. And bed them properly and you should be fine.

Like these. I says they don't fit.. but they do. I have some and they fit just like OEM.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B013KCEXXE?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details

I guess I will order these. Thank you!

 

[Rodtheviking]

They even show some "used" ones with a little box wear for half price. I actually bought some "used" ones for myself for 4.87, lol and the box was just beat up.

 

[geltez]

They even show some "used" ones with a little box wear for half price. I actually bout some "used" ones for myself for 4.87, lol and the box was just beat up.

I actually just ordered the stoptech front ones instead. Figured those would be better.

 

[MerlintheMad]

If you are having pulsing, should you just get new pads or both rotors and pads?

Before you put the new pads in, do a bedding process first, to determine if that eliminates your pulsing brakes issue: if it does, then make sure your rotors have just bedded the current pads, then swap them out: the new pads should then be bedded and you are likely good to go. If the OEM pads cannot be rebedded on the OEM rotors, i.e., the pulsing continues, then the rotors have pad deposits on them that cannot be scrubbed off by bedding: the rotors will have to be turned before putting in the new pads.

 

[geltez]

Before you put the new pads in, do a bedding process first, to determine if that eliminates your pulsing brakes issue: if it does, then make sure your rotors have just bedded the current pads, then swap them out: the new pads should then be bedded and you are likely good to go. If the OEM pads cannot be rebedded on the OEM rotors, i.e., the pulsing continues, then the rotors have pad deposits on them that cannot be scrubbed off by bedding: the rotors will have to be turned before putting in the new pads.

Can this also cause light vibrations above 60 mph? Or is that solely a balance issue?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Can this also cause light vibrations above 60 mph? Or is that solely a balance issue?

Balance/alignment. Brakes at rest never cause vibration at any speed.