Kia Stinger years to avoid (and the best years)

162 NHTSA owner complaints and 7 recalls across 5 model years, 2018 to 2022. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.

162complaints
7recalls
5reported crashes
8reported fires
2reported injuries
1reported deaths

Which Kia Stinger years should you avoid?

No Kia Stinger model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Kia Stinger year has 18 complaints on file. The busiest year is the 2018 (67).

What are the best Kia Stinger years?

The Kia Stinger years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2020 (16), 2021 (17) and 2022 (18). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.

NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.

Every model year

Year	Complaints	vs typical year	Recalls	Crashes	Injuries	Our read	Most reported
2022	18	1.0×	1	0	0	Few red flags	Electrical system
2021	17	0.9×	5	1	0	Few red flags	Brakes
2020	16	0.9×	6	1	0	Few red flags	Fuel system
2019	44	2.4×	3	1	0	Few red flags	Engine
2018	67	3.7×	4	2	2	Some concerns to check	Engine

Most reported problem areas

Share of the 51 complaints sorted by system, all years together.

Engine & powertrain20 (39%)
Electrical & infotainment10 (20%)
Brakes8 (16%)
Structure & body8 (16%)
Steering, suspension & tires3 (6%)

Recalls (7)

Engine · 24V169000 · Mar 2024 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022
An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
Fuel system · 23V634000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 21V862000 · Nov 2021 · model years 2020, 2021
An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fuel system · 20V560000 · Sep 2020 · model years 2020, 2021
Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 20V518000 · Aug 2020 · model years 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021
An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Steering · 20V422000 · Jul 2020 · model year 2020
A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V754000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2018
The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.