2020 Kia Stinger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (4) · Service Brakes (2) · Power Train (2)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Stinger model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (6)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger:hoses/Plumbing 2024-03-01 · campaign 24V169000 · 36,248 vehicles
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.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2023-09-13 · campaign 23V634000 · 18,224 vehicles
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.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System:instrument Panel:fuel Gauge 2021-11-05 · campaign 21V862000 · 53 vehicles
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.
Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2020-09-16 · campaign 20V560000 · 635 vehicles
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.
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2020-08-27 · campaign 20V518000 · 28,200 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
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.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: 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.
Steering 2020-07-22 · campaign 20V422000 · 104 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (44)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-04-14 · TSB_ELE417 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: infotainment software update procedure - this bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing usb for installation on applicable kia vehicles. the software downloads and usb preparation process is similar across all
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Fuel/Propulsion System 2025-10-02 · SC281Y_TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: subsequent repair action: high-pressure fuel pump replacement instructions for dtc p0088 (sc281y) - this bulletin provides information related to the technical service bulletin previously published under sc281 titled “high-pressure fuel pump inspection /replacement and ec
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Engine 2025-04-03 · TSB_ENG222_R8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repair
Engine 2025-02-28 · TSB_ENG222_R7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repair
Showing the 6 most recent of 44 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-04-08 · 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!…”
2026-03-31 · Power Train“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…”
2026-03-04 · 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…”
2026-01-20 · Power Train“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.…”
2025-08-04 · Suspension“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.…”
2025-03-05 · 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 hav…”
2024-09-03 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 55,000 mi“the contact owns a 2020 kia stinger. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 24v169000 (engine and engine cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. the contact stated while driving 70-75 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. an unknown warning light was illu…”
2024-06-10 · Exterior Lighting“the vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. i'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. all electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if i've shut the car off to get out. usually, i'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing …”
2023-12-29 · Service Brakes“i was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. when i took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! i checked to make sure my car was not in park. all of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. not to mention something similar happened november 18, 2023 where i was dri…”
2023-10-14 · Visibility:defroster/Defogger/Hvac System · 47,922 mi“1st safety related incident discovered december 27th, 2021, rear window defroster stopped working. checked rear fuse block as the owner's manual had listed that the fuse would be located there. visual observation of fuse block showed rear heater fuse had blown and the area around the fuse discolored and melted. remedy was dealership replacing rear…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.