I bought this recently.
I don't have any problems with the lid.
My first assembly attempt was already making an OK seal for the lid, but having the lid on without the hinge was still better. So i decided to obsess about it until i couldn't tell a difference in the amount of smoke coming out with and without using the hinge.
The lid does have a irregular shape and lets out some smoke in one spot, but as i understand it this is normal for Weber kettles.
This is my first kettle, so i have nothing to compare it to, but i do like that the lid is easy to lift with one hand and stays out of my way when its on the hinge.