Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Stinger, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine23
- Electrical system11
- Fuel/propulsion system10
- Exterior lighting7
- Service brakes7
- Power train6
- Fuel system, gasoline5
- Unknown or other5
- Steering3
- Vehicle speed control3
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 2 injuries and 1 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 18 2018 Stinger vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 13 people died inside them, and 8 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2018 Kia Stinger failed the safety check 1.60% of the time — 3% less often than the average 2018 passenger car (1.65%). Median odometer at inspection: 47,387 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Registered new in Europe in 2018
3,578 new Kia Stinger cars were registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland in 2018; the largest markets were Germany (1,145), the United Kingdom (683), Poland (573).
- Average mass
- 1,841 kg
- Average CO₂
- 223 g/km (WLTP)
- Average power
- 224 kW
- Fuel type recorded
- Petrol 77% · Diesel 23%
European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · averages weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value; fuel type as recorded at registration, where many non-plug-in hybrids appear as petrol · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
In the Netherlands
42 first registered in 2018 are on Dutch roads; 52% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €67,020.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde20
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld7
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm7
- Band onvoldoende profiel6
- Mechanische delen van het remsysteem vertonen slijtage5
- Band beschadigd4
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm2
- Drager/bevestigingsmiddel van remvoering raakt trommel/schij2
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 672 of these cars first registered in 2018 took their annual MOT test. 87% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2018 the figure was 84%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Tyres | 6.5% | 5.2% |
| Brakes | 3.3% | 2.9% |
| Visibility | 3.1% | 3.6% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 1.9% | 4.0% |
| Identification of the vehicle | 0.7% | 0.2% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 0.1% | 1.0% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In Finland
38 of these cars first registered in 2018 were in use in Finland on 30 Jun 2026, with an average of 99,000 km on the odometer at their last inspection.
Traficom (Finnish Transport and Communications Agency), open data on vehicles in use · CC BY 4.0
In New Zealand
395 2018 cars are on the New Zealand register; 1% arrived as used imports, 97% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-star results for 2 variants; not yet fully rated. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|
| 2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWD | — | 0.0 % |
| 2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR FWD | — | 0.0 % |
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
- Forward collision warning
- Optional
- Lane departure warning
- Optional
- Best overall rating
- —
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 1 variant: combined 11.3 L/100 km (about 21 mpg US), CO₂ 265 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stinger AWD · Mid-size · Premium gasoline | 12.7 | 9.6 | 11.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2018 Kia Stinger.
| 2024146 4 Mar 2024 | Engine Issue: On certain vehicles, the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly could become damaged by heat from the exhaust. If this happens, oil could le… |
| 2020404 31 Aug 2020 | Brakes Issue: On certain cars equipped with a 3.3 L T-GDI engine, an engine compartment fire could occur while driving. Kia believes that a fire could start in or ne… |
| 2018598 30 Oct 2018 | Electrical On certain vehicles, the front wiring harness could come in contact with a sharp metal opening on the left inner fender and become damaged. This could result in… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
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.
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.
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.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Kia told its dealers about the 2018 Kia Stinger: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11000787 | This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced. |
| 10248085 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards. |
| 10248077 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA 2.0L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC279) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software logic of the engine control module (ECM) with an improved version on 2018-2021MY Stinger (CK) vehicles equipped with a Theta 2.0L T-GDI ULEV engine manufactured from September 29, 2017 through January 20, 2021. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards ( |
| 10247636 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer Guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign (SC279). |
| 10247634 | SC279_POC: PROOF OF CORRECTION CARD |
| 10247633 | SC279_STKR: VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN COMPLETION STICKER |
| 10247632 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards. |
| 10247631 | VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards. |
| 10242913 | PITSTOP: AWD SYSTEM CONCERN DUE TO TIRE CIRCUMFERENCE - This Pitstop provides information regarding potential concerns with the All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) system due to tire sizes of differing circumference. Some customers may complain of a chatter sensation felt in the drivetrain of the vehicle and/or the failure of drivetrain component(s). A difference in tire size (width, aspect ratio, construction, rim diameter etc.) may be the cause. |
| 10237139 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: OVERHEAD CONSOLE SUNGLASS DOOR-LATCH REPAIR - This bulletin provides information to repair the overhead console lamp assembly and sunglass door latch on some 2012-2023MY model vehicles listed in the table below, which may encounter the sunglass case of the overhead console lamp not closing properly. |
| 10226555 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced, refer to applicable vehicles in the chart starting on page 2. |
| 10226551 | PITSTOP: VARIANT CODING AFTER MDPS/EPS REPLACEMENT - This Pitstop provides information to perform variant coding on some 2018-2023MY Stinger (CK) vehicles, after replacement of an MDPS and/or EPS unit. The selections on KGIS do not match those on the KDS. Follow the procedure below to perform variant coding on a newly replaced MDPS and/or EPS unit. |
| 10225558 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: PARTIAL REPAIR FOR SUNROOF OPERATION - This bulletin provides information to replace the rear sled assembly in the sunroof (left and right side) on some 2018-2023MY Stinger (CK) vehicles produced from September 21, 2017 through January 28, 2022, which may exhibit separation of the rear sled assembly in the sunroof mechanism, resulting in an inoperative sunroof. |
| 10224805 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN HEAD UNIT REPLACEMENT FOR INTERMITTENT NO SOUND - This bulletin provides information to replace the AVN head unit on some 2018-2020MY Stinger (CK) vehicles produced from October 1, 2017 through May 31, 2019, which exhibit intermittent audio dropping or audio sound cutting out concern while the engine is 'ON' or during normal driving operation. Confirm that the concern is present and place an order for the applicable AVN part required. |
| 10220346 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: MAINTENANCE REMINDER FEATURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area.This bulletin provides information on setting the "Service Interval Reminder" feature available on most 2014-2023MY Kia vehicles (refer to model list on page 2). If the service interval reminder is set, the customer will be informed to have the next maintenance service performed, which can positively affect vehicle longevity and performance. Refer to TSB ENG241 for 2023MY~ vehicles equi |
| 10214153 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: DYNAMIC BENDING LIGHT DTC B232509/B232609 - MOISTURE ABSORBENT & BRACKET REPLACEMENT - This bulletin provides information to repair an inoperative Dynamic Bending Light (DBL) by replacing the moisture absorbent and bracket on some 2018-2022MY Stinger (CK) vehicles produced from October 11, 2017 through April 27, 2022, which may exhibit a MIL 'ON' with DTC B232509 or B232609 (active or pending). This may be due to an expanded moisture absorbent causing the bracket to interfere with the DBL module. New parts are available to address this condition (see chart below for |
| 10209438 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. |
| 10206642 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. |
| 10205426 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2021MY vehicles (refer to the tables on pages 8-9 for applicable models and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. |
| 10201529 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFORMATION FOR HEADLAMP CONDENSATION AND MOISTURE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relating to some Kia models that may exhibit fogging, condensation, and/or moisture inside a headlamp assembly. Generally, a fogging condition is considered normal and can be eliminated by turning on the headlamps with the engine running for up to 30 minutes or during normal driving conditions. Headlamp assembly replacement WILL |
| 10201158 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repairing some 2011-2019MY vehicles (refer to table below for applicable model and engine), which may exhibit a symptom of excessive oil consumption. |
| 10200525 | PITSTOP: FRONT RADAR SENSOR MOUNTING INSPECTION (PS704) - This pitstop provides information regarding front radar sensor alignment on 2014MY and later vehicles that may exhibit a warning light ON related to radar sensor alignment errors in the Forward Collision-Avoidance Assist (FCA)/Smart Cruise Control (SCC) system. |
| 10191054 | TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUPPLEMENTAL VACUUM PUMP INSPECTION AND REPAIR (SC204) - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and replace the rotor and vane in the supplemental brake vacuum pump on some 2018MY Stinger (CK) vehicles produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018. When the engine has not reached the normal operating temperature, particularly right after being turned on after being parked overnight, repeatedly and quickly applying the brakes can damage the rotor in the supplemental brake vacuum pump. |
| 10191053 | SC204_QA: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Campaign (SC204). |
| 10191052 | SC204_OWNR: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the notification to 2018 MY Stinger owners advising them that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and replace the supplemental brake vacuum pump's rotor and vane in certain 2018 MY Stinger vehicles, produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)