AI Damage2023 KIA Stinger: common problems
Owners of the 2023 KIA Stinger filed 5 complaints with NHTSA, most often about structure and electrical system. The maker issued 31 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 5
- involving a crash
- 1
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 31
What fails most often
- 1 Structure 60% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Visibility 20% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 20% of all complaints
- Structure: 3 complaints (60% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 2.
- Electrical system: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 23.
- Visibility: 1 complaints (20% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
- Air bags: 1 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 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 5 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Structure | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 23 |
| Visibility | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Powertrain | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Backover prevention | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Latches, locks, linkages | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Seats | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Suspension | 0 | 0 | 1 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
Driver window switch was turning on and off, when it turned off, multiple electronics glitched out in the car. Brought back to dealership as multiple sources online said the driver's door switch was the reason for the glitches.
After driving on the highway for approximately 20 miles with no warning lights illuminated or any signs of issue, the driver's door opened while driving at highway speeds.
Kia America is failing to address a significant defect in the sunroof of my Kia Stinger. Despite multiple attempts to resolve this issue with the company directly and using the BBB AUTO line I have received dismissive and unhelpful responses.
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 1,688 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (among the 20% least complained about).
On average one model year of the Stinger has 29 complaints (6 years in the data). This year has 5, below average.
What to check before buying
- Structure. Rails, pillars, panel gaps, signs of pulling or welding.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Visibility. Wipers, mirrors, defrosters, cracked glass.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA III 2.5L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC369) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the engine control module (ECM) software to improve combustion stability…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
SC369_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION LABEL/STICKER
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
QUESTION AND ANSWER (SC369) - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign SC369.
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
SC369_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
OWNER NOTIFICATION (SC369) - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM)…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO (SC369) - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service managers advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions…
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO (SC369) - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign to improve the emissions software logic in the…
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater…
- 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
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
SERVICE ACTION: KIA CONNECT MODEM RESET (SA611) - This bulletin outlines the procedure for resetting the modem in certain 2016-2025MY Kia vehicles listed on page 3 that are equipped with Kia Connect Services. The…
NHTSA lists 31 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 2023 KIA Stinger?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: structure, electrical system, visibility. Total complaints: 5. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: windows, sunroof (60%), door locks, latches, handles (20%), smoke, burning smell, fire (20%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2023 KIA Stinger?
NHTSA lists 31 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 2023 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 2023 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.