2018 Kia Stinger Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 24about this part
- Share
- 34%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 33,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 24 complaints about the engine of the 2018 Kia Stinger, 34% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 33,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
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“Car check engine went on. Took to an auto store and was told cylinder 3 was misfiring. Proceeded to change plus myself, plugs were burnt, 1 broken, very little if any oil in the car. Took to dealer and they informed be the engine will not hold pressure. Engine needs to be replaced. Not 1 warning came on. Kia will not warranty as I have an aftermarket air filter.”
NHTSA complaint #11318542, filed 2020-03, 33,000 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“On 11/13/2020 my car had 26,942 miles. I experienced my first issue with my vehicle where it lost power while driving on the freeway. My vehicle was in the shop for 17 days where they replaced the fuel pump directly affected my turbo. On 10/19/2023 my vehicle had 68,366 miles on it while driving to work when I went to accelerate from a stop sign there was no power and I literally had to drift to the side of the road. My vehicle was in the shop for seven days and it was the same issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11571761, filed 2024-02Related service bulletins
- 11017109Apr 3, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 11014912Feb 28, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10206642Jan 6, 2022TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of…
- 10154688Feb 20, 2019TSB: SERVICE ACTION: 2.0T ECU REPLACEMENT FOR DTC P053F AND/OR P0087 (SA352) - This bulletin provides the procedure to replace the Electronic Control Unit (ECU) on ALL 2018MY…
- 10143480Jul 19, 2018TSB - This document is the Technical Service Bulletin for the new Voluntary Service Campaign to provide information regarding a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU)…
Engine: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Stinger
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 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