2019 Stinger battery failure

[PxbVic]

Hi All,

My 2019 Stinger GT is in the wars again, it's had 4 centre consoles replaced, wiring to the electric park brakes fail and repaired and now the battery is dying and is only 3.5 years old...

Load testing the battery says it's only capable of 480CCA instead of the rated 740CCA.

Is anyone else having constant electrical problems?

The dealer wont replace the battery, and have quoted $1600 for it to be replaced with a genuine Kia battery, they also state the battery is not under 7 years warranty but only 2 years...

Any ideas on how I can get this car fixed?

 

[Landshark]

buy an aftermarket ... you NEVER buy a battery at the dealer lol.

looks like $189 at Sam's Club, and about 15 minutes of your time (most of which is removing all the B.S. to get to the battery). a bit less than $1600

 

[ShannonC]

@PxbVic Century battery $400 @ Repco or $355 @Supercheap.

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Battery life can be hit & miss most are lucky to get 2-3 years out of the OE battery so getting 3.5 years out of yours seems reasonable & the dealer definitely wouldn’t warrant it. I was lucky I just changed mine after just over 4.5 years.
Dealer price for an OE battery is BS, get an aftermarket one, I paid AU$385 for a 850CCA battery with 3 year warranty that was delivered, fitted, system check & old battery removal from my home by my motoring association, NRMA.
As a side note these things a large & heavy at 22.8kgs.

 

[7Andrei7]

Quick question: if your battery dies, can you still open the power tailgate to get to it? Mine is 3y9m old and 138k km.
Thanks!

 

[PxbVic]

buy an aftermarket ... you NEVER buy a battery at the dealer lol.

looks like $189 at Sam's Club, and about 15 minutes of your time (most of which is removing all the B.S. to get to the battery). a bit less than $1600

Thanks mate, but I'm in Australia... Cheers...

 

[PxbVic]

@PxbVic Century battery $400 @ Repco or $355 @Supercheap.

Hey Shannon,

Yeah I wouldn't buy a "kia" battery, it's a joke and I have prices for after market, thanks for the reply I was more after anyone having batteries fail after such a short time? Seems ludicrous to me, I'm a mechanic but been out of the industry for 30 years... I've never known a battery to fail this quickly frankly... Every other car I've owned has normally got 8 to 10 years out of a battery...

 

[PxbVic]

Battery life can be hit & miss most are lucky to get 2-3 years out of the OE battery so getting 3.5 years out of yours seems reasonable & the dealer definitely wouldn’t warrant it. I was lucky I just changed mine after just over 4.5 years.
Dealer price for an OE battery is BS, get an aftermarket one, I paid AU$385 for a 850CCA battery with 3 year warranty that was delivered, fitted, system check & old battery removal from my home by my motoring association, NRMA.
As a side note these things a large & heavy at 22.8kgs.

View attachment 75060

Hey SGTSS,

Thanks for the reply, and the info on the life of an OEM battery... Sad but true they just don't make them like they used to... I'm looking at several aftermarket options so have that covered... You have answered my question, the OEM is just cheap and nasty...

It's a bit shit, the car has only done 25,000kms, was in long term storage for 6 months with battery disconnected, but this car has been a total dog...

 

[PxbVic]

Quick question: if your battery dies, can you still open the power tailgate to get to it? Mine is 3y9m old and 138k km.
Thanks!

Yes you can with a jump, you can jump the car from under the bonnet (hood for Americans) there is a positive terminal on the left hand side looking at the engine and use the strut brace bolt as a negative terminal.....

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Hey SGTSS,

Thanks for the reply, and the info on the life of an OEM battery... Sad but true they just don't make them like they used to... I'm looking at several aftermarket options so have that covered... You have answered my question, the OEM is just cheap and nasty...

It's a bit shit, the car has only done 25,000kms, was in long term storage for 6 months with battery disconnected, but this car has been a total dog...

Low kms & long term storage has probably contributed to your perceived short battery life.
I don‘t know what other issues you may be having with the car, I’ve had mine almost 5 years & for me it’s definitely not a dog.
Sorry your having issues other than a battery dying but your dealer should be able to sort out any problems you are having, you have 7 years warranty.

 

[PxbVic]

Low kms & long term storage has probably contributed to your perceived short battery life.
I don‘t know what other issues you may be having with the car, I’ve had mine almost 5 years & for me it’s definitely not a dog.
Sorry your having issues other than a battery dying but your dealer should be able to sort out any problems you are having, you have 7 years warranty.

Short version of issues...
New March 2019...

1: Park brake failed when the car was 3 weeks old diagnosed and it was apparently a broken wire in the loom, been fine since...
2: Keyless door buttons alarm, and don't open the doors 90% of the time, never fixed just use the key fob, dealer couldn't find a fault even though they saw the behaviour, no explanation...
3: Four, yes FOUR centre console units (screen radio head unit, the lot) replaced due to electronic failures, the last one was done by Kia Corporate who came from Sydney to the dealership in Melbourne, as they down graded it to the original software version. Every time I upgraded the NAV and Console software, the unit either bricked, or with the last unified software update (that purple monstrosity) it was so slow and dim witted it was unusable... Has never been resolved... Two of the centre consoles just failed with no screen or audio, but you could hear navigation prompts only... They said they replaced the Harmon Kardon amplifier...
4: Every 4 or 5 times I start the car, the entire centre console reboots...
5: Plastic covers on the roof that cover the sunroof tracks, paint cracked and crazed, replaced under warranty...
6: Black chrome trim around driver side front and rear doors sun damaged and pitted, replaced under warranty...
7: Battery was going flat, inline AMP meter showed 4.84 amp draw when the car was sleeping, been doing this for a week now, dealer gave me the car back and said it's working within specks (.4 to .5 amp draw after 1 hour) they couldn't fault the car, tried to charge me for diagnostic, gave the dealer the finger, they gave the car back saying the battery is still serviceable but only 480CCA, so it's on it's last legs...
8: The door alarm (when the door is open and engine running), comes on sometimes for no reason, and doesn't stop until I, get out of car, lock car, open car, get in car start and stop the engine... Then the alarm stops... I'm pretty sure this is what flattened the battery the first time... I put the battery on charge disconnected from the car for 2 days it will not charge to 100% according to my NOCO smart charger for AGM batteries...
9: The dash has been taken apart so many times, there is a plastic on plastic vibration (rubbing noise) the dealer wont fix this either...
10: The dealer replaced the aluminum centre console sliding cover (over the USB port) under warranty because they scratched the shit out of it...
11: The last time I had the head unit replaced, (March this year) 3 screw fell out of the dashboard into the passenger seat foot well, took it back they told me they replaced the screws but I have noise in the dashboard on the drivers side behind the gauge binacle...

The dealer has told me they cannot help anymore and to take it up with KIA directly...

I know several people with Stingers, who have never had anything like the problems this car has, but I have the runt of the litter it's a dog with fleas...

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Short version of issues...
New March 2019...

1: Park brake failed when the car was 3 weeks old diagnosed and it was apparently a broken wire in the loom, been fine since...
2: Keyless door buttons alarm, and don't open the doors 90% of the time, never fixed just use the key fob, dealer couldn't find a fault even though they saw the behaviour, no explanation...
3: Four, yes FOUR centre console units (screen radio head unit, the lot) replaced due to electronic failures, the last one was done by Kia Corporate who came from Sydney to the dealership in Melbourne, as they down graded it to the original software version. Every time I upgraded the NAV and Console software, the unit either bricked, or with the last unified software update (that purple monstrosity) it was so slow and dim witted it was unusable... Has never been resolved... Two of the centre consoles just failed with no screen or audio, but you could hear navigation prompts only... They said they replaced the Harmon Kardon amplifier...
4: Every 4 or 5 times I start the car, the entire centre console reboots...
5: Plastic covers on the roof that cover the sunroof tracks, paint cracked and crazed, replaced under warranty...
6: Black chrome trim around driver side front and rear doors sun damaged and pitted, replaced under warranty...
7: Battery was going flat, inline AMP meter showed 4.84 amp draw when the car was sleeping, been doing this for a week now, dealer gave me the car back and said it's working within specks (.4 to .5 amp draw after 1 hour) they couldn't fault the car, tried to charge me for diagnostic, gave the dealer the finger, they gave the car back saying the battery is still serviceable but only 480CCA, so it's on it's last legs...
8: The door alarm (when the door is open and engine running), comes on sometimes for no reason, and doesn't stop until I, get out of car, lock car, open car, get in car start and stop the engine... Then the alarm stops... I'm pretty sure this is what flattened the battery the first time... I put the battery on charge disconnected from the car for 2 days it will not charge to 100% according to my NOCO smart charger for AGM batteries...
9: The dash has been taken apart so many times, there is a plastic on plastic vibration (rubbing noise) the dealer wont fix this either...
10: The dealer replaced the aluminum centre console sliding cover (over the USB port) under warranty because they scratched the shit out of it...
11: The last time I had the head unit replaced, (March this year) 3 screw fell out of the dashboard into the passenger seat foot well, took it back they told me they replaced the screws but I have noise in the dashboard on the drivers side behind the gauge binacle...

The dealer has told me they cannot help anymore and to take it up with KIA directly...

I know several people with Stingers, who have never had anything like the problems this car has, but I have the runt of the litter it's a dog with fleas...

I sounds like you have an electrical gremlin, I know this may sound patronising but have you thought of taking it to an independent quality auto electrician to see if they cannot source the problem, sounds like you’ve either got a bad wiring loom or a loose connection somewhere.
Other than that you should seek legal advice through fair trading & as Kia has not been able to fix your issues they should either replace the vehicle or buy it back from you.

 

[Ozstung]

Short version of issues...
New March 2019...

1: Park brake failed when the car was 3 weeks old diagnosed and it was apparently a broken wire in the loom, been fine since...
2: Keyless door buttons alarm, and don't open the doors 90% of the time, never fixed just use the key fob, dealer couldn't find a fault even though they saw the behaviour, no explanation...
3: Four, yes FOUR centre console units (screen radio head unit, the lot) replaced due to electronic failures, the last one was done by Kia Corporate who came from Sydney to the dealership in Melbourne, as they down graded it to the original software version. Every time I upgraded the NAV and Console software, the unit either bricked, or with the last unified software update (that purple monstrosity) it was so slow and dim witted it was unusable... Has never been resolved... Two of the centre consoles just failed with no screen or audio, but you could hear navigation prompts only... They said they replaced the Harmon Kardon amplifier...
4: Every 4 or 5 times I start the car, the entire centre console reboots...
5: Plastic covers on the roof that cover the sunroof tracks, paint cracked and crazed, replaced under warranty...
6: Black chrome trim around driver side front and rear doors sun damaged and pitted, replaced under warranty...
7: Battery was going flat, inline AMP meter showed 4.84 amp draw when the car was sleeping, been doing this for a week now, dealer gave me the car back and said it's working within specks (.4 to .5 amp draw after 1 hour) they couldn't fault the car, tried to charge me for diagnostic, gave the dealer the finger, they gave the car back saying the battery is still serviceable but only 480CCA, so it's on it's last legs...
8: The door alarm (when the door is open and engine running), comes on sometimes for no reason, and doesn't stop until I, get out of car, lock car, open car, get in car start and stop the engine... Then the alarm stops... I'm pretty sure this is what flattened the battery the first time... I put the battery on charge disconnected from the car for 2 days it will not charge to 100% according to my NOCO smart charger for AGM batteries...
9: The dash has been taken apart so many times, there is a plastic on plastic vibration (rubbing noise) the dealer wont fix this either...
10: The dealer replaced the aluminum centre console sliding cover (over the USB port) under warranty because they scratched the shit out of it...
11: The last time I had the head unit replaced, (March this year) 3 screw fell out of the dashboard into the passenger seat foot well, took it back they told me they replaced the screws but I have noise in the dashboard on the drivers side behind the gauge binacle...

The dealer has told me they cannot help anymore and to take it up with KIA directly...

I know several people with Stingers, who have never had anything like the problems this car has, but I have the runt of the litter it's a dog with fleas...

Sounds like a complete nightmare, are there lemon laws regarding this? If so I'd get rid of it back to Kia. The car has a rap sheet that could stand up I'd assume.

 

[PxbVic]

I sounds like you have an electrical gremlin, I know this may sound patronising but have you thought of taking it to an independent quality auto electrician to see if they cannot source the problem, sounds like you’ve either got a bad wiring loom or a loose connection somewhere.
Other than that you should seek legal advice through fair trading & as Kia has not been able to fix your issues they should either replace the vehicle or buy it back from you.

Not at all patronising, I'm just at my wits end with it... I've sent an email to KIA, and will get an auto electrician to look at it, problem is there are no good ones in Melbourne... Am in the process of finding out my rights under fair trading, the cars only 1/2 way through it warranty... I have to be able to do something...

 

[PxbVic]

Sounds like a complete nightmare, are there lemon laws regarding this? If so I'd get rid of it back to Kia. The car has a rap sheet that could stand up I'd assume.

As far as I know we don't have lemon laws in Australia, but we should have...

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Not at all patronising, I'm just at my wits end with it... I've sent an email to KIA, and will get an auto electrician to look at it, problem is there are no good ones in Melbourne... Am in the process of finding out my rights under fair trading, the cars only 1/2 way through it warranty... I have to be able to do something...

You will definitely have rights through fair trading, if the manufacturer cannot fix the problems after many attempts with their product then under consumer law they either have to replace it or refund you.
I‘m sure there must be some good auto electricians in Melbourne, are you on the AU Stinger sites on Facebook, if so ask the question you may be surprised on the feedback.

 

[PxbVic]

You will definitely have rights through fair trading, if the manufacturer cannot fix the problems after many attempts with their product then under consumer law they either have to replace it or refund you.
I‘m sure there must be some good auto electricians in Melbourne, are you on the AU Stinger sites on Facebook, if so ask the question you may be surprised on the feedback.

Yeah no Facebook, was banned years ago

I'll find a way, thanks all for the feedback... I want a replacement, the car when it works is too much fun and cannot be replaced these days, wait list is 18 months I believe...

 

[Stinger GT SS]

Yeah no Facebook, was banned years ago

I'll find a way, thanks all for the feedback... I want a replacement, the car when it works is too much fun and cannot be replaced these days, wait list is 18 months I believe...

Good luck & I hope you get a positive resolution soon.
Yes they are a great fun car & I believe wait times are about 9-12 months now.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Quick question: if your battery dies, can you still open the power tailgate to get to it? Mine is 3y9m old and 138k km.
Thanks!

Climb inside and there is an emergency release behind a little panel you can pull off on the hatch.

 

[Rodtheviking]

Might as well put some sound deadening in that battery area while you are at it.