10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
11,071 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2018 Kia Stinger engine problems

engine problem

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2018 Kia Stinger Owner Comments

problem #13

Oct 022023

Stinger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

*Notice* There has been NO ACCIDENT but it could potentially be a fatal one. When performing the auto start up process the car's RPM increases rapidly, the engine makes a sputtering sound as if the car will crank or that there is a misfire and shuts down. This results in the check engine light coming on the instrument panel and error code P0172: Replace High Pressure Fuel Pump.

- Pendergrass, GA, USA

problem #12

Feb 282024

Stinger

  • miles
Turbo oil supply line cracked and leaking oil increasing risk of a fire.

- Medford, WI, USA

problem #11

Nov 132020

Stinger

  • miles
On 11/13/2020 my car had 26,942 miles. I experienced my first issue with my vehicle where it lost power while driving on the freeway. My vehicle was in the shop for 17 days where they replaced the fuel pump directly affected my turbo. On 10/19/2023 my vehicle had 68,366 miles on it while driving to work when I went to accelerate from a stop sign there was no power and I literally had to drift to the side of the road. My vehicle was in the shop for seven days and it was the same issue. A few weeks after my vehicle was repaired, I received the recall notice, however at this time there was no resolution it was nearly a recall campaign. On 12/29/2023 my vehicle had 70,290 miles (not even 2000 miles since my vehicle had returned from the shop) as I was leaving work, my car begin sputtering like it was going to lose power. I made it home safely however, upon trying to start my vehicle the next morning there was a warning and a message saying not to drive my vehicle. My vehicle has been in the service center since December 30, 2023 with no resolution.

- Chowchilla, CA, USA

problem #10

May 012023

Stinger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The car will lose power while accelerating and the turbo does not properly work well. Was told it was a fuel pump issue.

- White, PA, USA

problem #9

Aug 022021

Stinger

  • miles
Bought a CERTIFIED PREOWNED 2018 Kia Stinger from Russ Darrow Kia in Madison, WI Feb. 2021. Approx. Aug 2021 cylinder 3 on our 2018 Kia Stinger started misfiring. After replacing the spark plugs (x4 times) and coil packs, there was no improvement. We had it towed to Metro Kia of Madison because it was under Kia warranty still, and after 5-months and an engine replacement (including the long-block), we got our car back in Feb 2022. Flash forward to the end of Jan 2023, the Stinger starts driving rough. Idling harder, but no error codes are showing. After about 24hrs of very light driving because we knew something was wrong, an error code for cylinder 1 came up on my way home from work just a half mile away. When I got home, thick white smoke was billowing out of the exhaust which filled up the entire parking garage causing an environmental hazard to myself and my neighbors. So, I immediately open the garage doors and opened the windows to air everything out, and moved my car outside. I did some research online and figured I would try to replace the spark plugs and coil packs again, just to see if I could drive it to an independent shop because it is out of manufacturer warrenty by 3k miles. That didn't really help, and we ended up having it towed, again. After a week, find out they can't see anything on the top of the engine which has cause cylinder 1 to completely FAIL, and going to inspect for bottom side repair, plus labor, and whatever else is going to be close to $15k! Metro Kia basically said there was nothing they could do even though it was them who did the last repair. Russ Darrow Kia who originally sold us the vehicle also said we were screwed. We stopped work on the vehicle for now because we can't afford it and $2k in rentals. Opened a case with Kia on 2/14/23 due to the 2.0 THETA II engine recalled which Stingers are NOT included on, but haven't heard back yet. Never buying another KIA ever again because it's been nothing but PROBLEMS!

- Sun Prairie, WI, USA

problem #8

Apr 142020

Stinger

  • 22,000 miles
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while the vehicle was stationary in her garage, she started to smell antifreeze and saw an oil leak underneath the vehicle and on the engine. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the timing chain pan to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was informed that the serpentine belt was loose. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer and made the mechanic aware of the diagnostic result from the independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The contact also stated the dealer completed NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V754000 (Electrical System) on 11/26/2019. The failure mileage was approximately 22,000.

- Asbury, IA, USA

problem #7

Mar 252021

Stinger

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I recently purchased a used 2018 Kia Stinger premium. I was notified online that my vehicle had an outstanding recall, sc196A with a fire hazard from the fuse box. I made an appointment with garden grove Kia and ask numerous times if the part could be ordered ahead of time before I took it in so I don't have to be inconvenienced twice. I went to the dealership and was told to leave the vehicle for 3 hours for an inspection and then the part would be ordered for me to come back for the install. I then called the huntington beach dealership and they told me the same thing. I have contacted Kia corporate and am awaiting an answer. There has to be a more efficient way of dealing with this recall. This should be done in a single appointment and is a liability for me to have to return later.

- Tustin, CA, USA

problem #6

Jun 202020

Stinger 4-cyl

  • 55,700 miles
Went to car wash to degrease engine in the evening. Car was parked in car wash bay not running. Sprayed gunk engine degreaser on motor and car caught on fire in a few seconds unexpectedly. Car was not running. Quickly put fire out with water and fuel leaks after careful inspection and electrical wires found bare and burnt. Not sure if there was a short or a fuel leak present before using gunk degreaser but did not expect fire for doing this. Premium model Stinger with 2.L T gdi engine. Love the car but did not expect this. :( repair expensive to not replace motor. Around $13,000 at dealership.

- Sylmar, CA, USA

problem #5

Feb 152020

Stinger

  • 33,000 miles
Car check engine went on. Took to an auto store and was told cylinder 3 was misfiring. Proceeded to change plus myself, plugs were burnt, 1 broken, very little if any oil in the car. Took to dealer and they informed be the engine will not hold pressure. Engine needs to be replaced. Not 1 warning came on. Kia will not warranty as I have an aftermarket air filter.

- Arlington Heights, IL, USA

problem #4

Dec 272018

Stinger

  • 8,828 miles
Vehicle began experiencing loss of power and engine knocking. This gradually became worse and would substantially lose all power upon takeoff at intersections causing for dangerous and life-threatening situations. Kia replaced the engine but the issue persists and has gotten worse. They refuse to correct this problem or buyback the defective vehicle.

- Lowell, AR, USA

problem #3

Oct 142019

Stinger

  • 0 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

An injury has not occurred. The dealer did not seek to resolve the recall issue. Kia motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exist in certain 2018 Stinger vehicles manufactured from July 20, 2017 through June 8, 2018. The defect may cause damage to the front wiring harness which can result in an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The front wiring harness is located in the engine and passenger compartment of the vehicle. I was advised to file an online complaint because the safety recall was not addressed.

- Columbus, OH, USA

problem #2

Feb 112019

Stinger

  • 6,900 miles
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.

- Novi, MI, USA

problem #1

Dec 012018

Stinger

  • 17,500 miles
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.

- Keene, NH, USA

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