2021 Kia STINGER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
5 distinct recall campaigns
1,200 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 3 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Unknown Or Other is the most frequently named component, appearing in 5 of 17 complaints (29.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 6 | 35.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 17.6% |
| Steering behavior | 3 | 17.6% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 17.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 1 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel | 1 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Service Brakes: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Electrical System: 1; Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel: 1; Fuel System, Gasoline: 1; Power Train: 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 | 0 |
| 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: 0; 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). 14 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2021: 5; 2022: 6; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Unknown Or Other leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Steering behavior 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 11407571 · 2021-04-12 (April 12, 2021)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2021 KIA STINGER. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 20V518000 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC) HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. NALLEY KIA (7849 MALL PKWY, LITHONIA, GA 30038, [phone removed]) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT YET AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. VIN TOOL CONFIRMS PART…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11407571 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11478620 · 2022-08-10 (August 10, 2022)
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 downshift manually to slow down the vehicle. Additionally, after driving for a lengthy period of time, the steering wheel would shake and a burning odor was detected while the brake pedal was depressed. The v…
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11478620 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11412822 · 2021-04-19 (April 19, 2021)
JUST PURCHASED A 2021 KIA STINGER GT AWD NEW ABOUT A MONTH AGO. JUST OVER 1000 MILES ON IT NOW AND ENCOUNTERED A CONCERNING ISSUE. SITTING AT A STOPLIGHT WITH THE AUTO START/STOP OFF, TRACTION CONTROL OFF AND IN SPORTS MODE, I PRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND THERE WAS A SLIGHT HESITATION FOLLOWED BY A PRETTY FORCEFUL LURCH FORWARD. AS I APPROACHED THE NEXT STOPLIGHT SEVERAL HUNDRED FEET FURTHER AHEAD THE CAR COMPLETELY STALLED OUT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE IT... OF COURSE.
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 11412822 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453459 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
Component/system failure from repair invoice: Perform Campain SC196A New fuse Kit in junction box 1 cause action to take: service campaign 1 correction action taken SC!96/SC196A MULTI FUSE & JUNCTION BOX COVER INSTALLATION 201121R1 FAILED DESCRIPTION: REPAIR KIT MULTIFUS ,,ENGINE INJECTORS #3&4 STUCK OPEN CAUSING FUEL TO DUMP INTO EXHAUST UMBURNED ... FAILED PIPE ASSY FUEL INJECTOR ASSY FUEL MY AND OTHERS SAFETY WAS PUT AT RISK I WAS ON THE INTERSTATE IN RUSH HOUR AND THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE LANE THICK WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT THE BACK A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11527904 · 2023-06-20 (June 20, 2023)
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 [phone removed] 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 rep…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11527904 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11690875 · 2025-10-01 (October 1, 2025)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11690875 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11496826 · 2022-12-09 (December 9, 2022)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11496826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11405181 · 2021-03-27 (March 27, 2021)
BRAND NEW CAR, JUST OVER 300 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SUDDENLY LOST POWER WHILE DRIVING ON A BUSY MAIN ROAD IN FAIRFAX, VA. WAS ALMOST REAR ENDED (INCHES TO SPARE) AND STRANDED ON THE ROAD. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. A POLICE OFFICER RESCUED ME AND PUSHED ME TO SAFETY ON A NEARBY RESIDENTIAL SIDE STREET TO AWAIT A TOW TRUCK. TURNS OUT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE WIRING FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS REPORTING JUST UNDER HALF A TANK DESPITE BEING EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS SO NEW THAT I HAD NOT FILLED IT UP SINCE TAKING DELIVERY. GIVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 304 miles reported. Look up ODI 11405181 at NHTSA ↗