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Kia · NHTSA safety record

2018 Kia Stinger

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

Owners have filed 69 safety complaints about the 2018 Kia Stinger with the US government. Of those, 2 describe a crash, 5 mention a fire, 2 people were injured and 1 death is recorded. 4 recall campaigns are open against it.

The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 23 complaints, 33% of the total. The typical failure was reported at 23,500 miles, the median across the 30 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files · Covers October 2018 to September 2026 · How this is counted

What is on file

69 complaints on file

69

Complaints

2

Describe a crash

5

Mention fire

2

People injured

1

Deaths

A complaint is an unverified account by the person who filed it, not a finding of fault. One complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.

A recall is the manufacturer conceding a defect, and the repair is free. Whether one covers your particular car is a question only its VIN can answer, because a campaign covers a production range rather than a model year.

Which system owners named

Complaints naming each system
ENGINE 23 · 33%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 11 · 16%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10 · 14%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 7 · 10%
SERVICE BRAKES 7 · 10%
POWER TRAIN 6 · 9%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 5 · 7%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 · 7%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 3 · 4%
STEERING 3 · 4%
STRUCTURE 3 · 4%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 3 · 4%
0 12 23

Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it. One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 69.

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2025 at 14.

16 12 8 4
18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26

This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure happened. The range runs from 2018 to 2026, the last of them a part year, which is why its column is drawn faint.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program

NHTSA has not crash tested the 2018 Kia Stinger. Its New Car Assessment Program tests a selection of each year's vehicles and does not reach motorcycles, heavy trucks, motorhomes or most low-volume models, so an absence here says nothing about how the vehicle would perform. It is not a low score.

What owners have reported about this vehicle is below, and it is a different question: a crash test measures what happens to the people inside in a controlled impact, while a complaint records what broke during ordinary use.

Recall campaigns

4 on file

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING

24V169000 · March 1, 2024

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019-2020 K900, and 2018-2023 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil.
The risk
An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 26, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC300.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 36,248 vehicles across all model years covered

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

23V634000 · September 13, 2023

The defect
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power.
The risk
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the engine control unit software, inspect, and replace the fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC281.

Kia America, Inc. · up to 18,224 vehicles across all model years covered

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

20V518000 · August 27, 2020

Park outside until repaired

The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines on August 27, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Kia expanded the recall population and added certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. While driving, an engine compartment fire may occur in the area where the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) is located.
The risk
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuse kit in the electrical junction box, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC196.

Kia Motors America · up to 28,200 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

18V754000 · October 25, 2018

The defect
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles. The front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment may get damaged from contacting a burr on the left fender body panel.
The risk
The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.

Kia Motors America · up to 16,011 vehicles across all model years covered

In owners’ own words

Quoted from the complaint file

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

1 death · 2 injured · fire · crash · towed · 8,500 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. THIS CAR HAS A DEFECT OR MALFUNCTION AND THESE SAFETY FEATURES ARE PUT IN VEHICLES TO HELP BUT I AM NOT SO SURE THEY HELP AND ARE

NHTSA complaint 11242708. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 17,500 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 by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

STRUCTURE:BODY

fire · 6,900 miles

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 by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

fire · 55,700 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. *TR

NHTSA complaint 11331154. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
(2018 kia stinger gt2 awd) vin:[XXX] The above-referenced vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure directly resulting from a ruptured turbocharger oil feed line—the exact defect covered by federal Safety Recall SC300. The vehicle was rendered inoperable and was transported to Kia Store Elizabethtown. Service personnel at Kia Store Elizabethtown inspected the vehicle and confirmed that the failure was caused directly by the SC300 safety recall defect. Despite the dealership’s clear technical confirmation of the failure mechanism, Kia America is explicitly refusing to perform the safety recall remedy and cover the resulting engine destruction, using the presence of aftermarket air

NHTSA complaint 11767913, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SEAT BELTS
Seat belt clicks in, registers as being put on by dash sensor but comes unbuckled when force pushes it forward. Latch is not fully catching on drivers seat.

NHTSA complaint 11766492. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
On XXX my son picked up his 2018 Kia Stinger (VIN [XXX]) from Ken Garff Honda Riverdale, UT after a routine oil change, filter change, and tire rotation (RO# 5026743). About 3 hours later, while driving on [XXX] near [XXX], he noticed a burning smell, then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, followed by flames from the engine compartment. He pulled over and exited safely before the vehicle was fully engulfed. No other people or vehicles were struck, but the fire occurred on a public highway shoulder next to dry grass, creating a wildfire risk in addition to the risk to him and other traffic. On XXX, this same vehicle received recall SC300 (NHTSA Campaign 24V169000) at Jerry

NHTSA complaint 11755487, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
While driving the steering wheel jerks back and forth as if it's trying to help assist in keeping in lanes even with the lane assistant off and it doesn't matter what speed it jerks the whole time. The steering wheel will also move on its own back and forth while in a parked position too. It's very dangerous because it's trying to jerk you all around the road at no matter what speed you're doing.

NHTSA complaint 11754211. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My vehicle is exhibiting a loss of drive power, particularly uphill, with a diagnostic code of P0088 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too High). This is the same defect addressed by recall campaign 23V634000 (Kia SC281), covering the high-pressure fuel pump / fuel control valve plunger on 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. I had the SC281 recall repair completed on this vehicle on Novermber 16th 2024. I am now experiencing the same symptom and code the recall was meant to fix, indicating the repair did not resolve the defect. The original repair only updated the software but did not replace the fuel pump. The dealer, Jack Daniels Kia in NJ, has quoted me a $250 diagnostic fee before proceeding further.

NHTSA complaint 11751286, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
The oil pressure light is coming on . Even after doing oil change at dealership it’s not going away. Confirmed that the issue was with the oil pressure switch at dealership, which is a common problem for 3.3L V6 engines . Similar issue was observed in other older models with similar engine and the warranty was extended to cover this issue (WTY026).

NHTSA complaint 11723740. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Kia Stinger

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2022 18 1 —
2021 17 5 —
2020 16 6 —
2019 44 3 —

Other 2018 Kia models

Sorento 254 Optima 232 Soul 218 Sportage 164 Forte 136 Niro 60 Sedona 48 RIO 28

Complaints on file, same model year.

Every Kia on this site — 181 vehicles.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. How many repair attempts it takes, and how long you have to file, is set by the state you bought in and by nothing on this page.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst