2020 Kia Stinger reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2020 Kia Stinger holds 16 complaints after 7 years, a rate of 2 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Stinger years here — under the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 6 recalls on file, including Hoses, Fuel pump, and Fuel gauge.

2018 Kia Stinger — Photo by Ethan Llamas, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0

Complaints

Per year

Recalls

Years on the road

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (6 of 16), then Fuel and propulsion system (6) and Engine (5). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2019 and 2021

The 2019 Stinger has 44 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2021 has 17 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

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 2020 Kia Stinger. How we count. Data as of 2026-10-16.

Recalls (6)

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 electrical system, instrument panel, fuel gauge 2021-11-05 · NHTSA campaign 21V862000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

Recall Fuel pump 2020-09-16 · NHTSA campaign 20V560000

Summary 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.

Remedy 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.

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 Steering 2020-07-22 · NHTSA campaign 20V422000

Summary Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while driving.

Remedy Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS Assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC193.

Complaints by component (16 total)

Electrical system

Fuel and propulsion system

Engine

Powertrain

Service brakes

Steering

Engine and engine cooling

Exterior lighting

Fuel system, gasoline

Suspension

Visibility

Show 3 more Show less

Crash-flagged

Fire-flagged

Injury reports

Death reports

Complaints filed per year

Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings

"Was wondering why this vehicle isn't included in the fuel pump recall .There is hesitation, starves for fuel. All the symptoms, per mechanic, saying that is should be included!"
Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-04-08
"I am reporting a Failure of the Remedy for NHTSA Recall 23V634000 (Kia Recall SC281). The original recall attempted to "fix" a High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue via a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU).…"
Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-03-31
"I was driving to work when suddenly my steering wheel gets supper heavy as I was making a turn shook the life out of me my eps went out if you could please do a good will repair or see if there’s any extended warranty…"
Steering, Electrical system · filed 2026-03-04
"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."
Powertrain, Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-01-20
"I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving…"
Steering, Suspension · filed 2025-08-04

NHTSA crash ratings

Version	Overall	Front	Side	Rollover
2020 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars
2020 Kia Stinger 4 DR RWD	5 stars	4 stars	5 stars	5 stars

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	2L, 4-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	21	29	24 MPG	$3300
Stinger all-wheel drive	3.3L, 6-cyl	Automatic (8-speed)	All-wheel drive	17	25	20 MPG	$4000
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

Previous year 2019 Kia Stinger Next year 2021 Kia Stinger See every Kia Stinger model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Kia Stinger reliable?

What are common problems with a 2020 Kia Stinger?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (6 of 16), then Fuel and propulsion system (6) and Engine (5). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2020 Kia Stinger more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2019 Stinger has 44 complaints, 7 per year, and the 2021 has 17 complaints, 4 per year. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2019. The 2020 has fewer complaints per year than the 2021.

Has the 2020 Kia Stinger been recalled?

The 2020 Kia Stinger has 6 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 2020 Kia Stinger?

Owners have filed 16 complaints about the 2020 Kia Stinger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2020 Kia Stinger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2020 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).