2021 Kia Stinger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Fuel/Propulsion System (3) · Service Brakes (2) · Engine (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 (5)
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.
Service bulletins (45)
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 2026-05-28 · TSB_ELE422 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: infotainment system software update using update.kia.com - this bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable kia vehicles using the kia navigation updater available at update.kia.com. the software update may impr
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
Showing the 6 most recent of 45 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-06-17 · 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 …”
2025-10-01 · 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 …”
2025-08-05 · Unknown Or Other“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 shoul…”
2024-03-05 · 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 r…”
2023-11-21 · Fuel System, Gasoline“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 veh…”
2023-06-20 · Unknown Or Other“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…”
2022-12-09 · Service Brakes · 💥 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 …”
2022-10-10 · Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly“i was driving on hwy 73 when i heard a sound like a shotgun went off. glass started falling in the car and on me as the sunroof had shattered. there was no other vehicle in the area and the sunroof was closed. …”
2022-08-10 · Service Brakes, Air:disc:rotor · 25,000 mi“the contact owns a 2021 kia stinger. the contact stated that the dealer had previously replaced the rotors twice; however, the failure recurred with a metal-to-metal noise while the brake pedal was depressed. the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the brakes failed to stop the vehicle immediately. the contact had to downshif…”
2022-07-02 · Engine“the car started to slow down and once i came to a stand still. the car would not start!…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.