Reliable Auto DB

2021 Kia Stinger reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2021 Kia Stinger has 17 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Stinger years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 5 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

17

Per year

4

Recalls

5

Years on the road

6

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (4 of 17), then Service brakes (4) and Fuel and propulsion system (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Next to 2020 and 2022

The 2020 Stinger has 16 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 18 complaints, 3 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

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 2021 Kia Stinger. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (5)

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.

Complaints by component (17 total)

Engine
4
Service brakes
4
Fuel and propulsion system
3
Electrical system
2
Air brakes
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Powertrain
1
Suspension
1
Visibility
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

1

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

520216202222023120242202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "My car started skipping or stalling when I'd press the accelerator. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to an Independent mechanic and it showed high pressure fuel pump or system. The spark plugs were…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2026-06-17
  • "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…"
    Engine, Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-10-01
  • "At certain times when I am braking the brake "skips" it's like i am unable to brake so I end up braking late. It's become a safety hazard since there are times when I have almost hit another car. Also, the other is the…"
    Unknown or other, Service brakes · filed 2025-08-05
  • "All 4 Rotors are warped and pads are worn down on a 30K mile vehicle. Have had several mechanics tell me That the pressure proportioning valve hose.might be becoming stuck on just enough to make the rotors get hot and…"
    Service brakes · filed 2024-03-05
  • "The contact owns a 2021 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able…"
    Fuel system, gasoline · filed 2023-11-21

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2021 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWD 5 stars 4 stars 5 stars 5 stars
2021 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 3.3L, 6-cyl Automatic (8-speed) Rear-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

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 2020 Kia Stinger Next year 2022 Kia Stinger See every Kia Stinger model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2021 Kia Stinger reliable?

The 2021 Kia Stinger has 17 complaints with NHTSA after 6 years, or 4 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Stinger years here — over the median of the other years, which is 3. NHTSA has 5 recalls on file, including Hoses, Fuel pump, and Fuel gauge.

What are common problems with a 2021 Kia Stinger?

The complaints owners file most often name Engine (4 of 17), then Service brakes (4) and Fuel and propulsion system (3). Those filings include 1 that reports a crash.

Is the 2021 Kia Stinger more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2020 Stinger has 16 complaints, 2 per year, and the 2022 has 18 complaints, 3 per year. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2020. The 2021 has more complaints per year than the 2022.

Has the 2021 Kia Stinger been recalled?

The 2021 Kia Stinger has 5 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 2021 Kia Stinger?

Owners have filed 17 complaints about the 2021 Kia Stinger with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2021 Kia Stinger get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2021 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).