Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government
holds on this vehicle.
Owners have filed 16 safety complaints
about the 2020 Kia Stinger with the US government. Of those, 1 describes a crash and no death is recorded. 6 recall campaigns are open against it.
The most complained-about system is the electrical system,
named in 6 complaints, 38% of the total.
The typical failure was reported at 47,922 miles,
the median across the 5
complaints that gave
an odometer reading.
Compiled from NHTSA's complaint, recall and investigation files
· Covers July 2020 to April 2026 · How this is counted
What is on file
16 complaints on file
16
Complaints
1
Describe a crash
0
Mention fire
0
People injured
0
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
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 6 · 38%
6 38%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 6 · 38%
6 38%
ENGINE 5 · 31%
5 31%
POWER TRAIN 2 · 13%
2 13%
SERVICE BRAKES 2 · 13%
2 13%
STEERING 2 · 13%
2 13%
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 1 · 6%
1 6%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 1 · 6%
1 6%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 · 6%
1 6%
SUSPENSION 1 · 6%
1 6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 1 · 6%
1 6%
VISIBILITY 1 · 6%
1 6%
048
Red marks a system with a recall campaign against it.
One complaint can name several systems, so these add up to more than 16.
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 2026 at 4.
8 6 4 2
202020212021222022232023242024252025262026
This is the year the complaint was filed, not the year the failure
happened. The range runs from 2020 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 crashes a car into a barrier and a pole and measures what
happens to the dummies inside. This is what it awarded the 2020 Kia STINGER, and it is a separate
question from what owners report going wrong later.
Test
4 DR AWD
4 DR RWD
Overall
Frontal crash
Frontal, driver
Frontal, passenger
Side crash
Side barrier
Side pole
Rollover
Chance of rollover
8.7%
8.7%
Stability control standard Forward collision warning standard Lane departure warning standard
A rating belongs to a tested body style and drivetrain, not to the model as a whole, which is why more than one is listed.
A dash means NHTSA did not rate that test for this vehicle.
Recall campaigns
6 on file
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING
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
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
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
The risk
An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.
Kia Motors America · up to 53 vehicles across all model years covered
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.
The risk
Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel pump and replace the jet nozzle housing assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC198.
Kia Motors America · up to 635 vehicles across all model years covered
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
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
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while driving.
The risk
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS Assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC193.
Kia Motors America · up to 104 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.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
crash · towed
moving forward into parking space with my foot on the brake car accelerated and smashed into a tree.
NHTSA complaint 11421197. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Was wondering why this vehicle isn't included in the fuel pump recall .There is hesitation, starves for fuel. All the symptoms, per mechanic, saying that is should be included!
NHTSA complaint 11729891. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I am reporting a Failure of the Remedy for NHTSA Recall 23V634000 (Kia Recall SC281). The original recall attempted to "fix" a High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue via a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This remedy has failed. My vehicle is currently experiencing the exact safety hazard described in the recall: loss of motive power and stalling at various speeds due to HPFP failure. Despite the software "patch" performed in 2024, the physical hardware (HPFP) has now suffered a mechanical failure, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. Description of the Incident: On or about March 15, 2026, the vehicle began lose power and stuttered while in motion, posing a significant …
NHTSA complaint 11728277, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
I was driving to work when suddenly my steering wheel gets supper heavy as I was making a turn shook the life out of me my eps went out if you could please do a good will repair or see if there’s any extended warranty please check for a TSPs
NHTSA complaint 11722087. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Transmission light appeared and a loud knocking noise followed by white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. I took it to a shop and they said it now needs an engine replacement.
NHTSA complaint 11712123. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
STEERING
I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.
NHTSA complaint 11678350. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car shut off while driving down the road, it would not restart, there were no warning lights or check engine lights on. I had it towed to a repair shop and they replaced the fuel pump. Later I found out the fuel pump was recalled for the car and submitted the work receipt for reimbursement on 12/18/2024. I was never notified of the recall to have it replaced. It has been 11 weeks today and I have not been reimbursed for the $1100 I paid to have the fuel pump replaced. I could have been severely injured when my car engine shut down while driving.
NHTSA complaint 11646586. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.
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.
Complaints: NHTSA's ODI
complaint file, published October 2, 2026. One
complaint is one ODI number, which is how NHTSA counts them.
Recalls: NHTSA's recall
campaign API, newest campaign on this vehicle filed March 1, 2024.
Investigations: NHTSA's ODI
investigation file, published October 2, 2026.
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.
G
Compiled and maintained by guarledes Independent developer and analyst