2018 Kia STINGER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
67 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
23,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 30 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 22 of 67 complaints (32.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 19.4% |
| Braking behavior | 9 | 13.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 4 | 6.0% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.5% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 3.0% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Engine | 22 |
| Electrical System | 10 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 10 |
| Exterior Lighting | 7 |
| Service Brakes | 7 |
| Power Train | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
Engine: 22; Electrical System: 10; Fuel/Propulsion System: 10; Exterior Lighting: 7; Service Brakes: 7; Power Train: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 15 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 4 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 3 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 15; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 4; 100,000 to 149,999: 3; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (15). 37 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 |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 13 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 14 |
| 2026 | 7 |
2018: 3; 2019: 13; 2020: 6; 2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 10; 2024: 8; 2025: 14; 2026: 7
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Fuel system concerns appears in 13 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 9 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 4 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11140710 · 2018-10-16 (October 16, 2018)
HEADLIGHTS CANNOT BE ADJUSTED SIDE-2-SIDE. CURRENTLY BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE HEADLIGHTS POINT OFF CENTER TO THE LEFT, BLINDING ON-COMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS ALSO A MASSACHUSETTS VEHICLE SAFETY VIOLATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A REJECTION WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DUE FOR INSPECTION.
Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140710 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11161809 · 2018-12-16 (December 16, 2018)
CONDENSATION" INSIDE" THE HEAD LIGHT ASSEMBLY CONTINUALLY APPEARS AND HINDERS THE VEIW. ONCE AFTER WASHING THE VEHICLE AND SEVERAL TIMES AFTER A SHORT DRIVE THEN RETURNING TO THE VEHICLE TO DRIVE IT AGAIN. WHERE AND WHEN IT OCCURS IS RANDOM AND OFTEN. AFTER THIS CYCLE CONTINUES THE INSIDE LENS LEAVES A RESIDUAL FILM ULTIMATELY REQUIRING REPLACEMENT. CAR HAD 4000 MILES ON IT THE FIRST TIME IT WAS NOTICED. BRAND NEW CAR. $52000.00.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11161809 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11163818 · 2018-12-28 (December 28, 2018)
VEHICLE WAS IN PARK WITH THE ENGINE NOT RUNNING. CAME OUT OF BIG DEAL CONVENIENT STORE LOCATED ON RTE 9 CHESTERFIELD, NH TO FIND SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. CALLED 911 AND USED A STORE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO TRY TO PUT OUT THE FLAMES. WAITED FOR THE FIRE DEPT TO ARRIVE, THEY PUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRE OUT.
Owner-reported narrative. 17,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11163818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11173499 · 2019-02-01 (February 1, 2019)
RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE 18V-754 POSSIBLE WIRE HARNESS DAMAGE AND BROUGHT TO DEALER ON 1/2/19. THE INSPECTION FAILED AND DEALER PROVIDED A LOANER CAR. TOMORROW 2/2/18 WILL BE 2 MONTHS AND DEALER HAS NOT RECEIVED A PART NUMBER FOR THIS RECALL AND CANNOT PERFORM WORK. WISCONSIN LEMON LAW CAN TAKE AFFECT ON 2/2/18 (30 DAYS WITHOUT USE). COMPLAINT IS ABOUT WHY DEALER CANNOT GET A PART NUMBER TO ORDER FROM KIA ENGINEERING. I ALSO OPENED A CASE WITH KIA CONSUMER AFFAIRS CASE # 13009803 BUT THEY HAVE BEEN LITTLE HELP TO DATE. CAR IS A 2018 KIA STIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 5,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 11173499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11175551 · 2019-02-25 (February 25, 2019)
2018 KIA STINGER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL. 18V-754. *LD *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11175551 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11176669 · 2019-02-13 (February 13, 2019)
I PARKED MY 2018 KIA STINGER AT HOME AFTER DRIVING 40 MIN, MOSTLY HIGHWAY. NOTHING WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR DURING THIS TIME. AFTER ROUGHLY 5 MINUTES IN MY HOUSE, I BEGAN TO SMELL A BURNING ODOR. I LOOKED AROUND THE HOUSE FOR ANYTHING BURNING. I SEARCHED THE 1ST/2ND FLOOR, BUT NOTHING. I OPENED MY BACK DOOR AND THE SMELL WAS STRONGER, BUT NOTHING WAS UNUSUAL. THE FURNACE WAS OKAY. THEN I HEARD FIRE TRUCKS AND POLICE OUT FRONT. I WENT OUT AND SAW MY CAR IN FLAMES.
Owner-reported narrative. 6,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 11176669 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11182090 · 2019-02-23 (February 23, 2019)
THE KIA DEALERSHIP PERFORMED A MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED UPDATE/REPLACEMENT OF THE ECU. BEFORE THE REPLACEMENT MY CAR HAD AMBIANT LIGHTING FOR THE CABIN THAT CHANGED LIGHTS. AFTER THE ECU UPDATE/REPLACEMENT THE AMBIANT LIGHTING DOESN'T NOT WORK AND IT'S NO LONGER AN OPTION IN MY CARS SETTINGS.
Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11182090 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11202935 · 2019-04-22 (April 22, 2019)
WHEN CAR GOING OVER BUMPS/IMPERFECTIONS ON ROAD, A TICKLING NOISE CAN BE HEARD NEAR B PILLAR OR A PILLAR. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD ISSUE WITH MANY USERS COMPLAINED IN ONLINE FORUMS AND DEALERSHIPS. I TOOK THE CAR FOR INSPECTION MULTIPLE TIMES AND KIA USA DENIED IT IS AN ISSUE AND REFUSE TO PROVIDE FURTHER REPAIR, INSPECTION OR ASSISTANCE. THE NOISE IS VERY OBVIOUS WHEN TURNING INTO A SLOPED DRIVEWAY AND THE BODY IS EXPERIENCING TORSIONAL FORCES. A CONSUMER IN CANADA EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE AND GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND REPAIRED AT GUS REVENBERG K…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11202935 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
4 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
18V754000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood
Reported: 2018-10-25 (October 25, 2018)
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles. The front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment may get damaged from contacting a burr on the left fender body panel.
Consequence: The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.
NHTSA campaign record ↗20V518000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:Control Unit/Module
Reported: 2020-08-27 (August 27, 2020)
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.
Consequence: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗23V634000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery:Fuel Pump
Reported: 2023-09-13 (September 13, 2023)
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.
Consequence: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗24V169000 · Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline:Turbo/Supercharger:Hoses/Plumbing
Reported: 2024-03-01 (March 1, 2024)
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.
Consequence: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗