You called for a technician because your range was dirty?

Did you try a paste of Barkeepers Friend?

Barkeepers Friend - thanks for the tip. I'll try to locate some and give it a try.
Oceangirl67 - My concern is that nothing I've tried has worked. The metal appears to be scorched as opposed to soiled. The vent design forces the exhaust to chimney against the ss face of the backguard causing the discoloration.

If you are an Amazon Prime member, you can have some Bar Keepers Friend at your house in two days for $5.08 delivered.

Here is a link that might be useful: BK's Friend

That's standard for any high heat range. Nothing will work to "correct" it. GE customer service dweebs should have told you that this is completely normal and will reoccur should you replace the stainless.

Does that mean users will have to start using the dreaded aluminum foil over that area?

Is it safe to assume that without the backguard, the tiles (if that's the backsplash) would be suffering from the discoloration? Or is this an exhaust problem?

Is it safe to assume that without the backguard, the tiles (if that's the backsplash) would be suffering from the discoloration?

Ceramic tiles wouldn't discolor from the heat. They were fired to much higher temperatures than that in their manufacture.

Update:
GE is refusing to replace the backguard because it is an "accessory" thus not covered by range wattenty. Hour plus on phone to different reps to no avail. Finally customer relations agreed to send the replacement but no installation.

Tried BK Friend - paste soft cleanser in hidden area. Changes look-reflectivity of the stainless and won't give it a serious try until replacement backguard in hand.

The high backguard looks good but now think it is impractical and not worth the price.

This is what stainless does, depending on its quality. I have All-Clad pans that look fine. I have a Henckel pan that darkened after its first use. Guess which one was cheaper?