Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
425–50K
450–75K
475–100K
3100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
67 reports
3,000 miles · Jan 3, 2020
Structure
SAME AS REPORTED NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11202935. BODY INTEGRITY ISSUE WHEN CAR IS UNDER TORSION, AS IN A TURN UPHILL OR DOWNHILL. CAUSES MOVEMENT AROUND A-PILLAR, B-PILLAR, AND/OR DOOR WINDOW FRAME, WITH NOTICEABLE NOISE. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, THEY ONLY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, PLUS THEY DON'T HAVE A BODY SHOP TO DO F…
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SAME AS REPORTED NHTSA ID NUMBER: 11202935. BODY INTEGRITY ISSUE WHEN CAR IS UNDER TORSION, AS IN A TURN UPHILL OR DOWNHILL. CAUSES MOVEMENT AROUND A-PILLAR, B-PILLAR, AND/OR DOOR WINDOW FRAME, WITH NOTICEABLE NOISE. TAKEN TO DEALER TWICE, THEY ONLY SAY THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE, PLUS THEY DON'T HAVE A BODY SHOP TO DO FURTHER INVESTIGATION.
NHTSA ODI #11296905
8,828 miles · Dec 2, 2019
EnginePower Train
VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE KNOCKING. THIS GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE AND WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY LOSE ALL POWER UPON TAKEOFF AT INTERSECTIONS CAUSING FOR DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS. KIA REPLACED THE ENGINE BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OR BUYBA…
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VEHICLE BEGAN EXPERIENCING LOSS OF POWER AND ENGINE KNOCKING. THIS GRADUALLY BECAME WORSE AND WOULD SUBSTANTIALLY LOSE ALL POWER UPON TAKEOFF AT INTERSECTIONS CAUSING FOR DANGEROUS AND LIFE-THREATENING SITUATIONS. KIA REPLACED THE ENGINE BUT THE ISSUE PERSISTS AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE. THEY REFUSE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM OR BUYBACK THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11286356
Mileage unknown · Oct 29, 2019
Service Brakes
VEHICLE SHAKES WHEN APPLYING THE BREAKS AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40MPH. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE THE CAR HAD ABOUT 10K MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11276966
Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine
AN INJURY HAS NOT OCCURRED. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEK TO RESOLVE THE RECALL ISSUE. KIA MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN 2018 STINGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 20, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 8, 2018. THE DEFECT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAN RESULT IN …
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AN INJURY HAS NOT OCCURRED. THE DEALER DID NOT SEEK TO RESOLVE THE RECALL ISSUE. KIA MOTORS HAS DECIDED THAT A DEFECT WHICH RELATES TO MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY EXIST IN CERTAIN 2018 STINGER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 20, 2017 THROUGH JUNE 8, 2018. THE DEFECT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT CIRCUIT, INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE. THE FRONT WIRING HARNESS IS LOCATED IN THE ENGINE AND PASSENGER COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE. I WAS ADVISED TO FILE AN ONLINE COMPLAINT BECAUSE THE SAFETY RECALL WAS NOT ADDRESSED.
NHTSA ODI #11268266
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
9,200 miles · Sep 27, 2019
Visibility/wiper
MY REAR GLASS SHATTERED WHILE MY CAR WAS PARKED INSIDE MY GARAGE. THE ENTIRE GLASS WAS SHATTERED WITH NO APARENT DAMAGE TO THE GLASS.
NHTSA ODI #11258497
6,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Service Brakes
VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM WHEN STOPPING AT ANY SPEED SHAKES VIOLENTLY, STARTED ABOUT 6000 MILES AND CONTINUES EVEN AFTER SEVERAL REPAIR ATTEMPTS
NHTSA ODI #11255555
Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2019
Service Brakes
NEW CAR. AS SOON AS AROUND 4K MILES TO PRESENT 7K MILES, BRAKES ARE UNSAFE WITH SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN PEDAL WHEN BRAKING AT MODERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ANYTHING OVER 35-40MPH) UNDER ANY TYPE OF BRAKING. SUSPECTED FAULTY PADS WHICH ARE TOO SOFT LEAVING PAD RESIDUE ON ROTORS IMPACTING STOPPING POWER AND CREATING THE VIBRATION I…
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NEW CAR. AS SOON AS AROUND 4K MILES TO PRESENT 7K MILES, BRAKES ARE UNSAFE WITH SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN PEDAL WHEN BRAKING AT MODERATE TO HIGHWAY SPEEDS (ANYTHING OVER 35-40MPH) UNDER ANY TYPE OF BRAKING. SUSPECTED FAULTY PADS WHICH ARE TOO SOFT LEAVING PAD RESIDUE ON ROTORS IMPACTING STOPPING POWER AND CREATING THE VIBRATION IN THE PEDAL WHEN BRAKING.
THE VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT. 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 R…
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THE VEHICLE WAS IN CAR ACCIDENT. 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 COMING THE OTHER WAY. AT THIS TIME I HAD NO CONTROL OF THE CAR. BY THE TIME I COULD GET BACK OVER AND GOT CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE IT WAS TO LATE AND I HIT SOMEONE AND THEY DIED. THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION AND THESE SAFETY FEATURES ARE PUT IN VEHICLES TO HELP BUT I AM NOT SO SURE THEY HELP AND ARE
NHTSA ODI #11242708
7,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Structure
WHEN CAR GOING OVER BUMPS/IMPERFECTIONS ON ROAD, A TICKLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD NEAR B PILLAR OR A PILLAR. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH MANY USERS COMPLAINED IN ONLINE FORUMS AND DEALERSHIPS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION MULTIPLE TIMES AND KIA USA DENIED IT IS AN ISSUE AND REFUSE TO PROVIDE FURTHER REPAIR, INSPECTION OR ASSIS…
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WHEN CAR GOING OVER BUMPS/IMPERFECTIONS ON ROAD, A TICKLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD NEAR B PILLAR OR A PILLAR. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH MANY USERS COMPLAINED IN ONLINE FORUMS AND DEALERSHIPS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION MULTIPLE TIMES AND KIA USA DENIED IT IS AN ISSUE AND REFUSE TO PROVIDE FURTHER REPAIR, INSPECTION OR ASSISTANCE. THE NOISE IS VERY OBVIOUS WHEN TURNING INTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY AND THE BODY IS EXPERIENCING TORSIONAL FORCES. A CONSUMER IN CANADA EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT GUS REVENBERG KIA WINDSOR ONTARIO CANADA. USER DARREN1556 IN THIS POST BELOW DESCRIBED THE DETAILS: "IT WAS THE JOINT BETWEEN THE WINDSHIELD FRAME AND WHERE IT MEETS THE TOP OF THE A-PILLAR. HAVING MY ROOF COMPLETELY EXPOSED THE TECH STUCK SOMETHING IN THE BAD JOINT AND THE NOISE WAS GONE. I'M NOT SURE IF THEY PUT A SPOT WELD IN THE END OR TWEAKED THE METAL PERMANENTLY." HTTPS://STINGERFORUM.ORG/THREADS/CREAKING-NOISE-DRIVER-SIDE-DASH-AREA.3355/PAGE-2 I BELIEVE ANYTHING RELATED TO BAD JOINTS OF WELDING AND RIGIDITY OF THE CAR FRAME COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AS KIA USA REFUSED TO TAKE ANY ACTIONS, WHILE KIA CANADA HAS DIAGNOSED AND FIXED THE ISSUE. THANKS,
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.
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.
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.
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.
2018 Kia Stinger Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year