Kia Stonic: Common issues and how to fix them

The Kia Stonic is the car brand’s challenger in the tightly contested local subcompact crossover segment. That said, it is hardly surprising if it gets picked up by many as their next car or included in a prospective car buyer’s shortlist.

2021 Kia Stonic: Future Best-Seller? | Philkotse Quick Drive Review

After all, it provides a lot of features for its price. As standard, it gets an eight-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the exterior looks eye-catching and youthful.

Under the hood, the Stonic also gets a well-known Hyundai-Kia engine that’s been in use in other notable Kia and Hyundai models. What we’re talking about is the 1.4-liter inline-4 Kappa II engine that’s capable of producing up to 98 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque for the six-speed automatic transmission version. The 5-speed manual transmission version in turn outputs 92 horsepower and 132 Nm of torque. So while you won’t win races with this model, it can guarantee fuel efficiency and enough power to cruise on highways.

The Kia Stonic

So, does the Kia Stonic have common issues if any? Let’s talk about that.

Kia Stonic: Common Problems

The Stonic is one of Kia’s newest additions to its lineup. That said, most owners and users of the Korean-made model aren’t likely to encounter critical mechanical issues. Also, there’s the fact that it uses the 1.4-liter Kappa II MPI engine which has been around since 2008. So more or less, we can be certain that Hyundai-Kia has already ironed out most of the old issues the Kappa II engine has experienced prior.

The Stonic's 1.4-liter inline-4 MPI Kappa II gasoline engine

As a side note, it's also a fairly simple naturally aspirated inline-4 mill. As such, a Kia Stonic with turbo problems is virtually impossible.

Moreover, the Philippine-spec version uses a traditional six-speed automatic that’s less complicated than the dual-clutch gearbox (DCT) version provided for the Indian market, and the Korean market. Of note, Kia’s DCT has encountered vibration and overheating issues before, particularly on the Kia Seltos. This however was addressed with a recall, and newer units of the Seltos and the Stonic in general are free of these troubles.

A look into the Stonic's trunk

All of the Stonic variants in the Philippine market are equipped with halogen-projector headlamps. To this end, one or two might have issues with the Kia Stonic’s lights. Specifically with inadequate brightness levels.

To address that, one might opt to install compatible aftermarket LED headlamp kits. Then again, this might void your car’s warranty. But if you really need this upgrade, you might want to consult with your Kia dealership first.

Speaking of warranty, Kia Philippines offers a five-year coverage or 160,000 kilometers (whichever comes first) for the Stonic and other Kia passenger car models used in a private capacity.

It's going to do great as a family car or personal car for single people and young couples

Besides the warranty, Kia also provides a 24/7 Roadside Assistance service free for five years. This is a very comprehensive package that includes emergency towing, minor onsite repair, medical assistance, and personal assistance. If those can’t soothe a paranoid car owner, we don’t know what will.

As a last point to consider though, any car, even the new Stonic will experience wear and tear in due time. At certain points in its lifetime, several parts might need to be checked or replaced. These mainly include consumable parts like belts, filters, wiper blades, bearing spark plugs, brakes, transmission fluid, tires, clutch disc, etc.

The interior is predominantly dark-colored so it's relatively easy to clean.

Also, the Kia Stonic might encounter air-conditioning problems that are also attributed to wear. One might need to replace the car’s air-conditioning cabin filter, which is simple enough to do since this part is located underneath the dashboard and accessed through the glove box. If the issue is related to the car’s air-conditioning compressor or condenser though, you might want to acquire the services of a professional.

Do note though that the air-conditioning system is also covered by a separate warranty. As such, do check your car’s warranty papers before having it tinkered by a third-party mechanic.

For more car maintenance guides, keep reading here on Philkotse.com.