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Electrical systemPart report

2018 Kia Stinger Electrical system Problems

Complaints
11about this part
Share
15%of 71 total for the year
Median mileage
8,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2018 Kia Stinger, 15% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“I parked my 2018 Kia Stinger at home after driving 40 min, mostly highway. Nothing was wrong with the car during this time. After roughly 5 minutes in my house, I began to smell a burning odor. I looked around the house for anything burning. I searched the 1st/2nd floor, but nothing. I opened my back door and the smell was stronger, but nothing was unusual. The furnace was okay. Then I heard fire trucks and police out front. I went out and saw my car in flames.”

NHTSA complaint #11176669, filed 2019-02, 6,900 miles

“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. …”

NHTSA complaint #11242708, filed 2019-08, 8,500 miles

“Vehicle was in park with the engine not running. Came out of big deal convenient store located on rte 9 chesterfield, nh to find smoke coming out of the engine compartment. Called 911 and used a store fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames. Waited for the fire dept to arrive, they put the engine compartment fire out.”

NHTSA complaint #11163818, filed 2018-12, 17,500 miles

“Went to car wash to degrease engine in the evening. Car was parked in car wash bay not running. Sprayed gunk engine degreaser on motor and car caught on fire in a few seconds unexpectedly. Car was not running. Quickly put fire out with water and fuel leaks after careful inspection and electrical wires found bare and burnt. Not sure if there was a short or a fuel leak present before using gunk degreaser but did not expect fire for doing this. Premium model Stinger with 2.l t gdi engine. Love the car but did not expect this. :( repair expensive to not replace motor. Around $13,000 at dealership.”

NHTSA complaint #11331154, filed 2020-06, 55,700 miles

“related malfunction on my 2018 Kia Stinger. My hazard lights are activating on their own, changing flash speeds, and failing to turn off at times. This creates a safety concern while driving.”

NHTSA complaint #11699515, filed 2025-11

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2023120%
2022633%
2021212%
2020638%
2019920%
20181115%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Stinger

Engine
24 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsExterior lighting
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2018 Kia Stinger

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.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology