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2018 Kia Stinger

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Limited comparison data

There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

30 reports with mileage · 37 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports5 fire reports1 injury reports

Exterior Lighting complaints

7 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 12, 2026
Exterior Lighting

Around a two years ago the headlight brights failed and have yet to come back. Kia refuses to fix the issue stating normal wear. This is an incredible hazard to safety in night operation of the vehicle. We are told it is due to a motor in the headlight assembly failing. There are many forum post about this issue and the only kno…

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Around a two years ago the headlight brights failed and have yet to come back. Kia refuses to fix the issue stating normal wear. This is an incredible hazard to safety in night operation of the vehicle. We are told it is due to a motor in the headlight assembly failing. There are many forum post about this issue and the only known fix is to replace both headlight assemblies at a cost of upward of $1800 a piece. This is a failure that should not be taken lightly and all lighting a safety devices should be of the upmost importance.

NHTSA ODI #11710322

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2025
Exterior Lighting

The bright lights on both headlights stopped working instantly.. the design is flawed as it operates on a shutter using one bulb.. the malfunction is cause by premature failure of the gears in the shutter. The dealerships are aware of this problem as the shutter is also used in their Telluride vehicles as well… it causes safety …

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The bright lights on both headlights stopped working instantly.. the design is flawed as it operates on a shutter using one bulb.. the malfunction is cause by premature failure of the gears in the shutter. The dealerships are aware of this problem as the shutter is also used in their Telluride vehicles as well… it causes safety issues when driving at night. Kia also knows the problem also the gear in the headlight can’t be replaced and Kia forces to replace whole headlight assembly which is $1200 per light.. on many Stinger forums a lot of people are saying the same problems with their headlights. This is a major safety hazard!

NHTSA ODI #11634213

Mileage unknown · Jan 11, 2022
Exterior Lighting

Adaptive front lighting system error. For the last several months, and more frequently in the last 2 weeks when the weather has been colder, the dashboard warning light for the adaptive headlights has come on -- initially intermittently, but now solid nearly every time I turn on the vehicle. Bluedriver OBDII tool tells me this…

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Adaptive front lighting system error. For the last several months, and more frequently in the last 2 weeks when the weather has been colder, the dashboard warning light for the adaptive headlights has come on -- initially intermittently, but now solid nearly every time I turn on the vehicle. Bluedriver OBDII tool tells me this is error code B2325: "Swivel module fault left short circuit or over temperature." I noticed the problem seemed to creep up and became more frequent when the temperature dropped. Others on Kia Stinger forums have reported the exact same issue: https://stingerforum.org/threads/dynamic-bending-light-failure.3820/ To me, this represents a safety problem, as the feature function is to provide Dynamic Bending (Swivelling) and Automatic Leveling (Leveling) to control headlight beam pattern with curves in the road. I have reported this problem to my local Kia dealer and to the national Kia customer service line, but neither of them seemed to have yet heard of the problem. Consumer was told by RAM truck would be brought to a RAM DEALERSHIP to have the diagnostic run!

NHTSA ODI #11447095

3,000 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Exterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA STINGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROJECT ENOUGH ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERGUSON KIA (1601 N ELM PL, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 KIA STINGER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS DID NOT PROJECT ENOUGH ILLUMINATION. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE BEGAN EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON SEPTEMBER 3, 2019. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO FERGUSON KIA (1601 N ELM PL, BROKEN ARROW, OK 74012) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS WERE PERFORMING ACCORDING TO SPECIFICATIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000.

NHTSA ODI #11265421

12,000 miles · Feb 23, 2019
Exterior Lighting

THE KIA DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED UPDATE/REPLACEMENT OF THE ECU. BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT MY CAR HAD AMBIANT LIGHTING FOR THE CABIN THAT CHANGED LIGHTS. AFTER THE ECU UPDATE/REPLACEMENT THE AMBIANT LIGHTING DOESN'T NOT WORK AND IT'S NO LONGER AN OPTION IN MY CARS SETTINGS.

NHTSA ODI #11182090

Mileage unknown · Dec 16, 2018
Exterior Lighting

CONDENSATION" INSIDE" THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONTINUALLY APPEARS AND HINDERS THE VEIW. ONCE AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. WHERE AND WHEN IT OCCURS IS RANDOM AND OFTEN. AFTER THIS CYCLE CONTINUES THE INSIDE LENS LEAVES A RESIDUAL FILM ULTIMATELY …

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CONDENSATION" INSIDE" THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONTINUALLY APPEARS AND HINDERS THE VEIW. ONCE AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. WHERE AND WHEN IT OCCURS IS RANDOM AND OFTEN. AFTER THIS CYCLE CONTINUES THE INSIDE LENS LEAVES A RESIDUAL FILM ULTIMATELY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CAR HAD 4000 MILES ON IT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS NOTICED. BRAND NEW CAR. $52000.00.

NHTSA ODI #11161809

100 miles · Oct 16, 2018
Exterior Lighting

HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SIDE-2-SIDE. CURRENTLY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS POINT OFF CENTER TO THE LEFT, BLINDING ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS ALSO A MASSACHUSETTS VEHICLE SAFETY VIOLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A REJECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DUE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA ODI #11140710

Official recalls

4

24V169000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger:hoses/plumbing

Mar 1, 2024

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019-2020 K900, and 2018-2023 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 26, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC300.

23V634000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

Sep 13, 2023

Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, inspect, and replace the fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC281.

20V518000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module

Aug 27, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines on August 27, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Kia expanded the recall population and added certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. While driving, an engine compartment fire may occur in the area where the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) is located.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuse kit in the electrical junction box, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC196.

18V754000 · Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Oct 25, 2018

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles. The front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment may get damaged from contacting a burr on the left fender body panel.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.