AI Damage2019 KIA Stinger: common problems
Owners of the 2019 KIA Stinger filed 44 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and service brakes. The maker issued 40 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 44
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 40
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 27% of all complaints
- 2 Service brakes 25% of all complaints
- 3 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel/propulsion system 11% of all complaints
- 5 Powertrain 7% of all complaints
- 6 Visibility 7% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 5% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 12 complaints (27% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 3.
- Service brakes: 11 complaints (25% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Electrical system: 9 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 21.
- Fuel/propulsion system: 5 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Powertrain: 3 complaints (7% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
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
- 3.3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: RWD, AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 44 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 | 12 | 0 | 3 |
| Service brakes | 11 | 0 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 9 | 0 | 21 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| Powertrain | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| Visibility | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Structure | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 2 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
My 2019 Kia Stinger 2.0T, VIN [XXX], suffered catastrophic engine failure at 32,000 miles due to a replacement fuel injector installed by an authorized Kia dealership.
I was driving on the highway & my sunroof exploded. At first i thought someone had dropped something off a bridge , but i realized from the damages. Sunroof exploded. The glass caused damage to my paint !
The roof trim panel separates from the vehicle while driving. Depending on the car's speed the metal, plastic and rubber strip is lifted up and off the car and into the slip stream behind the vehicle creating a serious hazard for cars behind us.
The issue involves the high-pressure fuel pump covered under Recall 23V634000 (Kia SC281). When the recall was marked as “completed” at the dealership, only a software update was performed. The required inspection of the fuel pump and potential replacement were never carried out.
The car had fuel pump recall I had it fixed on 10/24 now the car has the same issue but your kia refuses to fix it. My warranty company is replaceing the fuel pump but not the reprogramming of it but why is it my issue if it is a recall to begin with that wasn’t fixed or I would not need a high pressure fuel pump and…
This can cause an engine fire if left unchecked just like the recall SC300. There is a backlog for that part to come in to fix the issue and people are driving with the light flickering because they don’t know the oil pressure switch is leaking over there engine and down to the EPU which could start a fire as well.
The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle inadvertently lost motive power, after which the vehicle entered LIMP Mode and was unable to accelerate as needed. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic.
I was told I "should" be ok driving the car, even though I express concern about the catching fire as stated in the recall letter. After call Kia Customer Relations, they give the dealership a call and they still refused to accommondate me.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 926 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 44% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Stinger has 29 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 44, above average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software…
- PITSTOP
TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P0088 (SC281Y) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC281 titled…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This…
- This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity…
This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
THETA 2.0L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC279) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software logic of the engine control module (ECM) with an improved version on 2018-2021MY Stinger (CK)…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC279).
- SC279_POC
PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD
- SC279_STKR
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION STICKER
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger…
NHTSA lists 40 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2019 KIA Stinger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, service brakes, electrical system. Total complaints: 44. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: smoke, burning smell, fire (18%), warning lights, check engine (16%), fuel system, fuel smell (9%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2019 KIA Stinger?
NHTSA lists 40 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2019 KIA Stinger from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2019 models
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.