2018 Kia Stinger reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2018 Kia Stinger has 68 complaints with NHTSA after 9 years, or 7 per year. That is the most complaints per year among the 6 Stinger years on this site. NHTSA has 4 recalls on file, including Hoses, Fuel pump, and Brake control module.

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (22 of 68), then Electrical system (11) and Fuel and propulsion system (10). Those filings include 2 that report a crash, 5 that report a fire, 1 that reports an injury, and 1 that reports a death.

Next to 2019

The 2019 Stinger has 44 complaints, 7 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2018 Kia Stinger. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (4)

Recall engine and cooling, engine, gasoline, turbocharger, hoses 2024-03-01 · NHTSA campaign 24V169000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Fuel pump 2023-09-13 · NHTSA campaign 23V634000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall Brake control module 2020-08-27 · NHTSA campaign 20V518000

Summary 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.

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.

Recall electrical system, wiring, front underhood wiring 2018-10-25 · NHTSA campaign 18V754000

Summary 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.

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.

Complaints by component (68 total)

Engine

Electrical system

Fuel and propulsion system

Exterior lighting

Service brakes

Powertrain

Fuel system, gasoline

Engine and engine cooling

Speed control

Steering

Structure

Hydraulic brakes

Lane departure

Seat belts

Seats

Suspension

Visibility and wipers

Show 9 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Seat belt clicks in, registers as being put on by dash sensor but comes unbuckled when force pushes it forward. Latch is not fully catching on drivers seat."
Seat belts · filed 2026-09-23
"On XXX my son picked up his 2018 Kia Stinger (VIN [XXX]) from Ken Garff Honda Riverdale, UT after a routine oil change, filter change, and tire rotation (RO# 5026743). About 3 hours later, while driving on [XXX] near…"
Engine · filed 2026-08-07
"While driving the steering wheel jerks back and forth as if it's trying to help assist in keeping in lanes even with the lane assistant off and it doesn't matter what speed it jerks the whole time. The steering wheel…"
Steering, Electrical system, Lane departure · filed 2026-08-01
"My vehicle is exhibiting a loss of drive power, particularly uphill, with a diagnostic code of P0088 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too High). This is the same defect addressed by recall campaign 23V634000 (Kia SC281),…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-07-18
"The oil pressure light is coming on . Even after doing oil change at dealership it’s not going away. Confirmed that the issue was with the oil pressure switch at dealership, which is a common problem for 3.3L V6 engines…"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-03-12

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated
2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR FWD	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated	Not rated

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim	Engine	Transmission	Drive	City	Hwy	Combined	Annual fuel cost
Stinger all-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$4000
Stinger all-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	29	24 MPG	$3300
Stinger rear-wheel drive	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	22	29	25 MPG	$3200
Stinger rear-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	Rear-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$4000

Specs and fitment

First generation (CK), 2018–2023

Body styles Hatchback (liftback)

Oil 5W-30 preferred; 2.0T also lists 0W-30 or 5W-40

Tire size P225/45R18 (base/Premium), P225/40R19 (GT trims) front / P225/45R18 (base/Premium), P255/35R19 (GT trims) rear

Known issues for this generation

Recall 20V-518 covers certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles (expanded from an earlier 2019-only population) for an HECU fuse concern that can lead to an engine-compartment fire; the campaign lists 28,200 vehicles and advises parking outside until a new fuse kit is installed. Recall 23V-634 covers certain 2018-2021 Stingers: the high-pressure fuel pump control-valve plunger may stick, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power (18,224 vehicles). Recall 24V-169 covers certain 2018-2023 Stingers with the 3.3-liter turbo GDI engine (and 2019-2020 K900): the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose may detach (36,248 vehicles across those models). Dealers replace the oil feed assembly.

Compare

Next year 2019 Kia Stinger See every Kia Stinger model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Kia Stinger reliable?

What are common problems with a 2018 Kia Stinger?

Is the 2018 Kia Stinger more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Stinger has 44 complaints, 7 per year. The 2018 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2019.

Has the 2018 Kia Stinger been recalled?

The 2018 Kia Stinger has 4 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Kia Stinger?

Owners have filed 68 complaints about the 2018 Kia Stinger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Kia Stinger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Kia Stinger is 22.3 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Kia Stinger take?

US notes prefer 5W-30; 2.0T also lists 0W-30 or 5W-40. Drain-and-fill with filter differs by engine (~6.0 qt 2.0T; ~7.3 qt 3.3T per Kia PS558).

Does recall 20V-518 cover the Kia Stinger?

It covers certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles for an HECU fuse concern that can lead to an engine-compartment fire; dealers apply the published remedy. The campaign unit count is for the whole listed population.

What generation is the Kia Stinger?

CK generation for the US years this site tracks (2018-2023).