2020 Kia STINGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
6 distinct recall campaigns
47,922 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 5 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 16 complaints (37.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 5 | 31.3% |
| Steering behavior | 4 | 25.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 18.8% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 12.5% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 6 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Steering | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 |
Electrical System: 6; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 5; Power Train: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Steering: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 1; Exterior Lighting: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 4 |
2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 2; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 2; 2026: 4
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 5 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 4 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11509804 · 2023-03-02 (March 2, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the spark plugs from the dealer but had an independent mechanic perform the repair. Despite the repair, t…
Owner-reported narrative. 59,272 miles reported. Look up ODI 11509804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11562645 · 2023-12-29 (December 29, 2023)
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 driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Ki…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11562645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11469956 · 2022-06-19 (June 19, 2022)
Dealer said it is a known issue, but the brakes leave deposit on rotors and cause severe shaking while slowing down. Rattles entire car and steering wheel violently. Had this issue first at 5k miles, now at 18k miles and it is back. The dealer turned the rotors for me under warranty at 5k, but now are telling me I need to purchase my own aftermarket pads and rotors because they won't cover it. Pads have plenty of meat left, just has a nasty "warble" under braking.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11469956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11593366 · 2024-06-10 (June 10, 2024)
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 some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11593366 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11467020 · 2022-06-01 (June 1, 2022)
Dealer stated that the GDI pump has failed and that is not a common issue. My car started shuddering as I was driving in the interstate I5 north at 70mph, then the car stalled in the middle of the freeway, gas pedal was useless, if it was not because my speed was 70mph and the force of the speed keep my car moving for a little I would probably be hit by a truck putting my life and others at risk. Car was towed back to the dealer, very strong smell of gas and smoke was coming from underneath it, engine lights came on after it stalled a second ti…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11467020 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11421197 · 2021-06-16 (June 16, 2021)
moving forward into parking space with my foot on the brake car accelerated and smashed into a tree.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11421197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11387157 · 2021-01-08 (January 8, 2021)
I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN JULY AND HAVE HAD THE SAME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES NOW. THE ISSUE IS THAT SOMETIMES, WHEN I GIVE A RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. IT HAS DONE IT ON A SLOW TURN, ON A MERGE GOING 35MPH, AND ON A A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP GOING 60MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL ME, OR SOMEONE ELSE, DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR 6 MONTHS AND I'M TIRED OF IT.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 11387157 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11549927 · 2023-10-14 (October 14, 2023)
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 fuse block and given back with no explanation why the fuse heated up to cause fuse and fuse block to start to melt. 2nd same safety related incident discovered June 18th, 2023, when checking rear fu…
Owner-reported narrative. 47,922 miles reported. Look up ODI 11549927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11712123 · 2026-01-20 (January 20, 2026)
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.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11712123 at NHTSA ↗