2018 Kia Stinger Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 23%of 71 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 63,500miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the fuel system of the 2018 Kia Stinger, 23% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 63,500 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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“All of a sudden while driving on the road my vehicle lost total power in the middle of an intersection. I would pres the gas pedal and got no response the vehicle would not go. I had to turn car off and try starting it again then the vehicle got power. This keeps happening not everyday but it's happening about once a week while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11547591, filed 2023-10“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 2024-02“My vehicle has a delay in taking off from a complete stop. The car also looses a little power while driving intermittently. There was times that the car wouldn't even go at all I had to turn off the car and restarted to be able to go. That has been happening more and more the check engine light has been on the whole time. Also the rear shock or strut went out but the part that is apart of the suspension has broke and now the vehicle scrapes the tire because it is too low”
NHTSA complaint #11551952, filed 2023-10“Casey Kia located in Newport News Virginia continues to delay the replacement of my fuel pump. I was told it was replaced but 2 weeks later I was having the same issue to the point where my car was decelerating on the interstate. After I took it back in for them to repair it I was told they would look into it. I received a call saying the fuel pump was never replaced and the only thing that had been done originally was a software update, so basically I was lied to and put in a very dangerous situation because a fire could've been caused while driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11604694, filed 2024-07Related recalls
- 23V634000Sep 13, 2023Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing…Covers: Kia Stinger 2018–2021
Related service bulletins
- 11024182Oct 2, 2025TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P0088 (SC281Y) - This bulletin provides information related to the…
- 10248085Dec 20, 2023VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on…
- 10248077Dec 20, 2023VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA 2.0L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC279) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software logic of the engine…
- 10247634Dec 18, 2023Sc279_poc: proof of correction card
- 10152915Jan 18, 2019TSB: SPECIAL SERVICE INFORMATION & SPECIFICATIONS FOR GDI HIGH PRESSURE FUEL SYSTEM - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. This bulletin provides…
Fuel system: other model years
Other parts of the 2018 Kia Stinger
24 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 29, 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