Kia Stinger Rear end noise / thunk in the trunk/ stinger rear end noise fix

Here's a quick video on how to correct the thunk in the trunk or inFAMOUS bumping or banging noise in the back of a Kia Stinger 2018 to 2020. This how to, will show you the exact pieces, how man,y tools you'll need to fix one of the only flaws you're really find at the Kia Stinger. If you hear a banging in the rear end it sounds like a suspension issue it's more than likely just a misalignment in the trunk lid.
Keywords: kia, kia stinger, thunk, bang, suspension clunk, 2020, 2019, 2018, gt, gt2, gt line, 2.0, v6, twin turbo

[@TesshJS]

I’m so thankful you made this video. Might sound crazy but life has thrown a lot of curve balls my way this week and it’s been really rough. And then my hatch started clunking and it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. Your video literally helped me get in a better state of mind and made life a little better. So thank you so much. This means way more than you will ever know. Thank you

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Your welcome, I'm glad it could help! World is crazy right now, but I know things will start looking up for ya!

[@manejandoenusa]

Thank you! I fixed it with the combination of 3m tape on the latch and 5/16 washers (2 on each side). The problem has been resolved. Total cost $6. A T30 Torx is needed for 2023 GT2

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Awesome! Congrats on that stinger! Wicked ride!

[@raiderreppin4life53]

I have had my 2020 get 1 for two months and all of a sudden I started hearing that ran right back to the dealer and they have NO IDEA what the Hell is going on and now thanks to you $7 and 20 minutes MAX problem solved!!THANKS FOR THIS !!

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Glad it helped, it's frustrating to have that thunk. Sometimes it takes two washers on each side, sometimes 4. After that you can enjoy the stinger and not hear that sound. Kia doesnt even recognize it, but every stinger owner I've ever met has the issue. Drive safe and thanks for the comment.

[@willmac8514]

Jesus, you saved massive aggravation and a potential assault at a KIA service center. This noise has been driving me insane. I can now fix it. Cheers!🍻

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Right on, it's a bummer they still haven't done this pre sale, but once its fixed I haven't had a single sound come back. Drive safe and enjoy that stinger!

[@TheTruth420]

Agreed I’ve been dreading taking my 21 I’m for like four months now (car is not my daily) and was worried that they would either have my car for a month and not fix it or just not fix it. It’s crazy they have a bulletin out and the dealers don’t make the fix before the car is sold. How the f is this an issue still in the 21 model. Noise is a huge thing for a brand new car owner.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@TheTruth420 yeah rattles and thanks do not give a new car buyer confidence. But once it's fixed it was all good.

[@TheTruth420]

@@automotiveinquiries9673 do the lower bumpers need a washer as well?

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@TheTruth420 nope, just the ones on the lid itself. Some years need two stacked to stop it, some need one. But the lower ones don't need any no matter what you stack on the top.

[@SilentKnight43]

It's no surprise the dealers don't fix this pre-sale on the new or used Stingers. We bought a used 2019 GT2 last April - and was told by the sales manager the previous owner was one of their Kia mechanics. I thought good - it's been well-cared for. Turns out it had quite a noticeable brake shimmy (warped factory rotors) - and it only had 22k mileage. They never bothered to replace the rotors before the sale. I had to go back to the dealer and have them replace all 4 rotors (no charge...it was covered under "factory warranty") - but they acted as if they were doing me a big favour by not charging me. We've owned 6 Kias over the years - love the Stinger...but it'll be the last Kia we buy.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Yeah that does suck they did that, hopefully they get you rolling and you can really enjoy it. Drive safe out there.

[@stevesteinhaus7822]

Oh my God, thank you so much! Just did this in 5 mins, cost me $1.36 and it worked! Immediately went down the roughest road and it was absolute silence!

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Your absolutely welcome, glad it helped. Enjoy your stinger, they really are awesome. Drive safe out there.

[@rodolfosalinas9415]

I own a 2021 Stinger and experienced the same problem. I fixed it by placing a 3/4 inch medium duty felt pad at each contact point where the latches met with each other and where the hatch bumpers meet at the bottom. The pads fit perfectly over the latch screws and inside the bumper holes. The pads cost me $3.89 at Home Depot. I purchased a package of 20 and only used 10. It was great because I didn't need to take anything apart.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Right on, thanks that can help others who may not have the torx or prefer not to take apart things. Drive safe out there.

[@Boogetsbizzy]

I do want to try this but kind of confused where to put. So there’s 10 contact points?

[@johnnystl1288]

I tried everything but this and then I finally did it and it worked !! It was just about to drive me nuts. I went to KIA and they were no help other than wanting to charge me although my car is under full warranty! Thank you so much the 5/16 worked beautifully.

[@travislefebvre1166]

Thought I would add an additional response to this thread as I was hopeful, but still skeptical, that this would resolve my issue. However, I followed the video instructions to a T and this resolved the "clunking" / "thunk" noise that I was experiencing in the hatch area. I only used one (1) 5/16" washer at each bolt and hand-tightened them as recommended. Additionally, I saw another video that suggested unscrewing the adjustable rubber stoppers slightly so they applied a bit of pressure between the hatch door and the car, so I unscrewed them exactly one full revolution each. The exact washers I used were the Everbilt 5/16" zinc flat washers (10-pack) from Home Depot, in case anyone wasn't sure where to source them from or needed a reference for washer thickness. Note that I have a 2021 Stinger GT2, not sure if this will be the same washer needed for previous model years, but it definitely worked for my 2021. Hope this helps, and thanks for making this video.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Your welcome, glad it worked for You and your feedback can help others that have the similar car. Love the stinger, drive safe out there.

[@Eswanny22]

Thank you! I just bought a 2018 Stinger with 20k miles and figured I'd have to fix this but this is the clearest and quickest video I've seen. I ended up buying some neoprene washers from another recommendation but this video fixed it up so far!

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Glad to help.....drive safe and enjoy that stinger

[@SilentKnight43]

Much thanks for the vid. Just startin' to hear the thunk a couple of times - not always. Easy peasy fix thanks to your video.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Absolutely, stingers are so awesome but that thunk is a bummer, glad it helped and drive safe out there!

[@JayGridlock]

2022 GT2. Started to hear rattle after 4k miles in the winter. Can confirm the washers fixed it.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Good deal, enjoy that stinger. What a sweet car they are. And other than the trunk, pretty rattle free. Drive safe out there.

[@ahmedsyed3436]

Thanks for the video… Now someone should tell this to Kia’s CEO

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

I agree!

[@lawmanlawreaper]

Just ordered a 2021 Stinger GT in a Australia this week and have a two to three months wait time so been crawling YT for fun :) hope they fixed this on the new model

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

I hope so, they had a tsb on it, but I had it on my gt2 2018 and on my 2020....so I do hope they fixed it for you....enjoy the ride when you get it, congrats, awesome car!

[@mikevenson7818]

Just got my 21 it clunks

[@lawmanlawreaper]

@@mikevenson7818 NOOOOOOOOO but it looks like an easy fix ?

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@mikevenson7818 that's a bummer that they still havent fixed it, but it is an easy fix, then you can truely enjoy the car with no thunk! Good luck and let me know if this works for you also.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@lawmanlawreaper it is easy to fix, just frustrating.

[@AngSolo]

I have a 2022 stinger GT 2 and I placed the 5/16 nylon washers and it took the hatch rattle away completely. I can’t believe such a minor detail got rid of it. It was driving me insane. I can confirm that when I removed the pieces to add the washers there were no washers already in place. It’s frustrating that a car this expensive can have that issue unaddressed on its 5th model year. Next issue to tackle is the roof clicking sound, but it only happens in warm weather and it’s winter here so I’ll have to wait.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Yeah, it actually has a TSB, but from the dealer they don't fix it and neither do the dealers. I'm glad the fix worked because once I got rid of this noise, I loved the stinger.

[@manejandoenusa]

Many times the roof sounds come from the rocker panel on the sides. I fixed my stinger that way. The rocker transmits the vibration to the roof. So, it was not the sunroof. Check your rocker panel and make sure does not vibrate.

[@TheTruth420]

Omg thank you I have a 2021 GT that makes the loud noise and it drives me fing crazy. I will be doing this today, one question tho is it just the upper one you put washers in or do the lowers need them as well? Either way thanks.

[@Boogetsbizzy]

I want to know the same. I think it’s just the uppers.

[@TheTruth420]

@Gabriel Rosario i did just the uppers and haven't heard it since. Its not my daily driver but i beat the fuck out of the car when i do drive it and only noise now is the road noise due to the cup tires

[@justineagon263]

Is this seriously all it’s going to take to fix it? I just bought the car last night. I honestly almost didn’t because the noise was so off putting. 🤣 Gosh, I really hope this solves it. Will have to try next weekend!

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Yeah, I've owned 3 stingers of all different trims....all made this sound. It took several days of tightening stuff, adjusting and nothing worked, i found those bumpers needed more height and then I finally figured it out. Washers as a shim. After that I've fixed several for other stinger owners and did it on the other 2 I bought, fixed it and never heard it again. After that enjoyed my stingers, they are excellent cars, why kia hasn't taken care of it, that is a mystery, but since it was the only issue and such a cheap and easy fix, it didn't bother me much. Let us know if it worked and enjoy that stinger.

[@SilentKnight43]

After adding the washers did you find the latching mechanism made much more noise when opening than before the washers? Mine was so loud it sounded like the latch was under strain when it released...so I removed the washers.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

No, the latch worked great, you may need to screw in the rubber adjusters, a lot of people turn those so far out those put the upward stress on the latch. Worth a shot

[@SilentKnight43]

@@automotiveinquiries9673 The rubber adjusters were in the same position before and after the washers, so that wasn't an issue. My next trick will be to put the washers on a grinder and thin them down a bit. Don'tcha just love a $58k car that requires this problem solving so soon? lol

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@SilentKnight43 dang, sorry that didn't help. Yeah for such a great car, to have flaw like that, it does take away from it. Please let me know what worked.

[@SilentKnight43]

@@automotiveinquiries9673 Will do.

[@DonVitoCorleone2085]

Same issue here friend. Put in 1 5/16 (M8) nylon washer per screw and the hatch definitely unlocks louder than before. The fix did work though, so I might just try and a marginally better fitting washer as this video

[@Sergeantgrunt]

I have an 18 GT2 and I don't know what you're talking about. No clunk form my hatch at all. I've got less than 22K and its still quiet.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

That's a good thing, this is something that most, but not all stingers get, usually pretty quick. There was a tsb (trouble shooting bulletin) that came out from kia to put washers in it. The dealer may have done it. I'm glad you havent experienced it, because the sound does sound atrocious, but it is an easy fix. My 18 gt2 had it at 600 miles, my 2020 gt line developed less than a 1000. Drive safe

[@cont3xt]

i bought 1/4 zinc plated washers and the bolt don’t fit. make sure you get 5/16 for 2021 Stinger

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Thanks for the update, they may have made the bolt bigger in an attempt to fix it. 2021, go with 5/16. And on previous years you can use 1/4 or 5/16. Drive safe and enjoy your stinger.

[@jeffjeff8562]

I was going to trade my 19' GT in for a 21'GT1. When I test drove the 21', it had about 12 miles on it and the thump was there, so it doesn't matter what miles are on the car. It starts thumping when it wants to.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Yeah, pretty much, it is a turnoff when its heard. It is an easy fix, but id want to put the washers in and see if it stops before I buy it. My last one 20 got line, right at 100 miles, started, I had already bought it but knew it was the same thunk my 18 gt2 had. Hopefully kia has fixed it for 22, but honestly I don't like the seat bolstering or the taillight in the 22, so I'd have to buy a 21 or earlier. Some people say they never get the thunk, which is good, but Kia may have fixed it prior to sale. Drive safe out there.

[@Nova5041]

Nope they still didnt fix the issue . Just bought a 22 gt2, and heard the noise at 200 miles. Dont know why car manufacturers refuse to fix issues from previous years. I tried the fix and it worked perfectly thank you, Also to note for anyone else, I used the 1/4 washers on my 2022.

[@John-on4up]

Like earned. Thank you sir

[@B1ackAlloy1992]

Tried this on my 21 stinger they changed it as there are no washers in it at all. Tried the 1/4 it is too small I’m gonna go to a 5/16 and updated whether it works or not

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Yes please let me know, 5 16 should work if not and you want closer tolerances you can use a metric washers. It may take 2 or 4 per side.

[@B1ackAlloy1992]

@@automotiveinquiries9673 I can confirm the 5/16 washers completely eliminated the rattle. One on each side and is zinc plated. Drove for about 60 miles and have not heard it once.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

@@B1ackAlloy1992 sweet, thanks for letting me know, so others can have that info....drive safe out there and enjoy the stinger

[@5veRodriguez]

Does your trunk shut tight still when closed?

[@joeldawson83]

Does this rattle happen in the 22 Stingers? I have one and I swear I’ve heard this sound at times and can’t figure out what the hell it is! Could this possibly be the solution?

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Many people with the 22 have told me they have the same sound. Although kia had a TSB, since 2018, I'd have to say you most likely would have the same rattle. On an off chance you don't, maybe they fixed it. If not it can't hurt to take them lose and check.

[@michaeldennis3028]

Thank you X1000000000 2022 GT1

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Absolutely, drive safe out there!!

[@djerickd_official]

is it still not knocking??

[@axc8932]

Don’t hold your breath, it wasn’t fixed for 2022.

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Not sure why Kia didn't, such and easy thing to fix, and such a great car.

[@albertsimpson5219]

My stinger had 18k km on it and I havent had this problem yet, hopefully I never will

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

I'm glad, it was the only thing about both of mine that was annoying..but with the tsb from the dealer some were fixed before being sold, and some just never had it. Drive safe out there.

[@OrnumCR]

TSB...Troubleshooting Bulletin??? Nah bloke, try Technical Service Bulletin!...

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Well, thanks for the correction, dealers have used troubleshooting, so we all can understand, when advising that these are out here in America. At the end of the day a dealer would know what you mean, but they rarely are looking for them to correct the problems. Either way, this fix, will fix it....drive safe out there.

[@djerickd_official]

is it still not knocking??

[@automotiveinquiries9673]

Mine stopped thunking with one washer on each bolt on each side, others said they had to use two stacked on each side. But that will fix it.