Kia Stinger Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 171 consumer complaints across the 6 model years of the Kia Stinger (2018–2023) that have at least 5 complaints. 2018 has the most, with 71. Across all years, the part named most often is engine (49 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
All Stinger model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | — | 1 | 31 | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 18 | 100,000 | 1 | 50 | — | Rising |
| 2021 | 17 | 1,200 | 5 | 45 | — | Falling |
| 2020 | 16 | 47,922 | 6 | 44 | — | Rising |
| 2019 | 44 | 12,500 | 3 | 45 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Falling |
| 2018 | 71 | 25,000 | 4 | 100 | Not compared (fewer than 3 comparable model years) | Rising |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Engine49 24%
- Fuel system35 17%
- Electrical system35 17%
- Brakes30 14%
- Other or unknown22 11%
- Transmission and drivetrain14 6.8%
- Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)12 5.8%
- Exterior lighting10 4.8%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2018: “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 complaint #11182090, filed 2019-02, 12,000 miles2021: “Just purchased a 2021 Kia Stinger gt awd new about a month ago. Just over 1000 miles on it now and encountered a concerning issue. Sitting at a stoplight with the auto start/stop off, traction control off and in sports mode, I pressed the gas pedal and there was a slight hesitation followed by a pretty forceful lurch forward. As I approached the next stoplight several hundred feet further ahead the car completely stalled out. I took it to the dealer and they could not duplicate it... Of course.”
NHTSA complaint #11412822, filed 2021-04, 1,200 miles2020: “I purchased this car brand new in july and have had the same electrical system problem at least 7 times now. The issue is that sometimes, when I give a right hand turn signal, the vehicle's entire electrical system shuts down. It has done it on a slow turn, on a merge going 35mph, and on a a highway exit ramp going 60mph. This is dangerous and only a matter of time until me, or someone else, dies as a result of this failure. I have been dealing with this problem off and on for 6 months and I'm tired of it.”
NHTSA complaint #11387157, filed 2021-01, 2,750 milesOther Kia models
10,219 complaintsKia Optima
7,532 complaintsKia Soul
5,579 complaintsKia Sportage
4,713 complaintsKia Forte
2,560 complaintsKia Sedona
2,415 complaintsKia Telluride
2,058 complaintsKia Sephia
1,701 complaints
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology