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Transmission and drivetrainPart report

2018 Kia Stinger Transmission and drivetrain Problems

Complaints
7about this part
Share
10%of 71 total for the year
Median mileage
8,828miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2018 Kia Stinger, 10% of the 71 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,828 miles.

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.

“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

“Oil pressure sender unit is failing on these vehicles. There are several reports on the forums about this issue. First, the oil pressure warning light appeared on the dash. I brought my vehicle to an independent service center and they performed a diagnostic. They confirmed that the oil pressure sender was bad and filling with oil. This is a fire risk as oil is leaking in a hot engine compartment. Also, as oil is lost, it could result in complete engine failure while traveling at high speeds.”

NHTSA complaint #11640703, filed 2025-02

“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

“Bought a CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2018 Kia Stinger from Russ Darrow Kia in Madison, WI Feb. 2021. Approx. Aug 2021 cylinder 3 on our 2018 Kia Stinger started misfiring. After replacing the spark plugs (x4 times) and coil packs, there was no improvement. We had it towed to Metro Kia of Madison because it was under Kia warranty still, and after 5-months and an engine replacement (including the long-block), we got our car back in Feb 2022. Flash forward to the end of Jan 2023, the Stinger starts driving rough. Idling harder, but no error codes are showing. …”

NHTSA complaint #11508029, filed 2023-02

Related service bulletins

Transmission and drivetrain: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202216%
202116%
2020213%
201937%
2018710%

Other parts of the 2018 Kia Stinger

Engine
24 complaintsFuel system
16 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsExterior lighting
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