AI DamageKIA Stinger: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Stinger across 6 model years: 171 owner complaints and 98 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 29% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Service brakes 18% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 15% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 8% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Exterior lighting 6% of all complaints
- 8 Structure 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 49 complaints (29% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 26.
- Electrical system: 35 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 140.
- Service brakes: 30 complaints (18% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 9.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 26 complaints (15% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 4.
- Powertrain: 14 complaints (8% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 28.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2018–2021named in 1 complaints
- 2.5 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2022–2023
- 3.3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2018–2023named in 2 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed 2018–2023
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 171 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 49 | 1 | 26 |
| Electrical system | 35 | 2 | 140 |
| Service brakes | 30 | 1 | 9 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 26 | 0 | 4 |
| Powertrain | 14 | 1 | 28 |
| Visibility | 12 | 0 | 20 |
| Exterior lighting | 10 | 0 | 9 |
| Structure | 9 | 0 | 27 |
| Fuel system | 9 | 0 | 13 |
| Engine and cooling | 5 | 0 | 68 |
| Steering | 5 | 1 | 12 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Vehicle speed control | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 2 | 0 | 5 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
related malfunction on my 2018 Kia Stinger. My hazard lights are activating on their own, changing flash speeds, and failing to turn off at times. This creates a safety concern while driving.
I contacted KIA and even though the car is located at their dealership they have not even bothered to move this along and get it inspected. The insurance company sent an estimator to check, and I am waiting to see if they would repair or total it, but Kia has not bothered so far to send a team.
I heard a loud whine and the car started to speed up. I jammed my foot onto the brake to slow down but did not have the time to try to put the transmission into neutral. The car was not slowing down so I turned right to hit my tree rather than proceed straight and crash into my garage.
Vehicle was in motion and had adaptive cruise control on and vehicle in front of me so it shifted down so car was in front of me and lane assist jerked the wheel as I was approaching the car in front of me and caused me to go into the other lane and and then it resumed speed because it did not realize a vehicle was…
NHTSA Vehicle Safety Complaint Statement Vehicle: 2018 Kia Stinger Premium 2.0L Turbo VIN: [XXX] Component: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: High Pressure Pump [1, 5] Recall Campaign [ref] Kia High-Pressure Fuel Pump Safety Recall [5] 1.
In addition, the contact became aware of white smoke coming from underneath the hood before the engine seized. The vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic. The contact was advised to tow the vehicle to the dealer. The vehicle was towed to the dealer.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- WARRANTY EXTENSION CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.