CSR

Kia · NHTSA safety record

2021 Kia Stinger

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

17

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2021 Kia Stinger have filed 17 safety complaints with NHTSA between March 2021 and June 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 4 of them (24%). The typical failure was reported at 1,200 miles, the median across the 3 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

NHTSA has issued 5 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (5)

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE

21V862000 · November 5, 2021

The defect
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

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

20V560000 · September 16, 2020

The defect
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

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

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 17.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 5 29%
ENGINE 4 24%
SERVICE BRAKES 4 24%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 3 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 2 12%
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 1 6%
POWER TRAIN 1 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, AIR 1 6%
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 1 6%
SUSPENSION 1 6%
VISIBILITY 1 6%
VISIBILITY/WIPER 1 6%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2022 at 6.

2021 2022 2026
2021 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

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

ENGINE

crash

My transmission/engine and brake system failed. I was slowing down to probably 5 mph to make a right hand turn into my driveway from the street when the engine started racing. I heard a loud whine and the car started to speed up. I jammed my foot onto the brake to slow down but did not have the time to try to put the transmission into neutral. The car was not slowing down so I turned right to hit my tree rather than proceed straight and crash into my garage. When I hit the tree there was a large jolt and the car stopped. NO airbags deployed and I felt the impact on my right foot that was firmly on the brake; I checked to make sure I was not inadvertently pressing the accelerator. This same

NHTSA complaint 11496826, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

towed

The contact owns a 2021 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his nearby residence. The contact stated upon driving the vehicle uphill that same day, the vehicle failed to exceed 2-3 MPH and started losing power. The contact stated that he drove back to his nearby residence. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, where an unknown repair was performed; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving approximately 35-40 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power. There was no warning light

NHTSA complaint 11556241, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
My car started skipping or stalling when I'd press the accelerator. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to an Independent mechanic and it showed high pressure fuel pump or system. The spark plugs were changed, but the problem remained. I checked and noticed that there was a recall for that particular problem. I called the dealership and they said my VIN wasn't attached to it. But I do think it should be.

NHTSA complaint 11744848. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Since April I have been having the same issue. Sometimes when I am stopped and the autostop is supposed to shut down the engine, the engine just sputters and if I hit the gas nothing happens. I have to put the car in park and shut it down then restart it. I try to shut the auto stop off when I get in the car but sometimes I forget. It has happened at over 20 times that I have documented over the last couple of thousand miles, many times in dangerous locations, in the middle of interactions or waiting for a light. The engine light has also gone on and off over the last couple of months. The car is now at the dealership and they say the high pressure fuel pump is leaking. I see there has been

NHTSA complaint 11690875, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
At certain times when I am braking the brake "skips" it's like i am unable to brake so I end up braking late. It's become a safety hazard since there are times when I have almost hit another car. Also, the other is the silver trim on the exterior looks completely faded probably from the sun but I've seen multiple stingers with this issue and should be replaced and yes the car is dirty but that is not dirt.

NHTSA complaint 11678569. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
All 4 Rotors are warped and pads are worn down on a 30K mile vehicle. Have had several mechanics tell me That the pressure proportioning valve hose.might be becoming stuck on just enough to make the rotors get hot and wear down. I have looked online and have read many people having the same issues.Kia has told me there are no active bulletins or recalls for this problem.I have driven sport vehicles 40 plus years and have never had to replace the brakes on a 30k mile car.and it is making the steering wheel shake when brakes are applied at 35-40 Mph.

NHTSA complaint 11575587. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES
Bought this vehicle from Carvana.com and have been trying to get it repaired since then. There is something wrong with the steering/braking/suspension system. According to License Mechanic Derek Hartfield at Monroe (248) 980-3262 after a road test - told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. He attempted to repair vehicle and Carvana denied the repair. Carvana instructed me to take car to Dealership, dealer has a wait list, I have a family and need to work. It feels like no one wants to help, and just keeps expecting me to drive from repair shop to repair shop. I just want to drive or they can take the car back if it is a lemon. At present the car has alot of issues and I dont know where

NHTSA complaint 11527904, quoted in part. 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 17 1
2020 16 6
2019 43 3
2018 67 4 1

Other 2021 Kia models

Every Kia on this site — 176 vehicles, 208 recall campaigns and 1 open investigation .

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. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

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