Kia Stinger: Years to Avoid and Best Years (Engine & Transmission)
Kia Stinger problems by model year, from 169 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. For each year: the share of complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system, how many there were, and the recalls.
Years to avoid: 2018 (54%, 33 drivetrain complaints) and 2019 (37%, 16 drivetrain complaints). 2 of the 2 Kia Stinger years we score have an elevated engine, transmission or fuel-system complaint share.
No Kia Stinger year we score is clear of an elevated signal. The lowest is the 2019 (37%).
By raw volume, the 2018 drew the most drivetrain complaints (33 of 49 across the scored years). Volume also tracks how many were sold and how long they have been on the road, which is why the share, not the count, sets the verdict.
2021, 2022 and 2023 have fewer than 25 complaints on record so far, too few to score. Newer cars have had less time to collect complaints.
Engine and transmission complaint share, 2010–2023
Share of relevant owner complaints about the engine, transmission or fuel system. 33% is elevated, 40% high, 60% very high. A dash means too few complaints to score.
Every Kia Stinger year
| Model year | Signal | Drivetrain share | Drivetrain complaints | All complaints | Rank (1 = worst) | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Stinger | high | 54% | 33 | 69 | 1/2 | 4 |
| 2019 Stinger | elevated | 37% | 16 | 44 | 2/2 | 3 |
| 2020 Stinger | too few to score | – | 10 | 16 | – | 6 |
| 2021 Stinger | too few to score | – | 6 | 17 | – | 5 |
| 2022 Stinger | too few to score | – | 4 | 18 | – | 1 |
| 2023 Stinger | too few to score | – | 0 | 5 | – | 1 |
What owners complain about most, all years
Categories as NHTSA files them, summed across the Kia Stinger years with data. A complaint can name more than one component, so the shares overlap. Red is engine, transmission or fuel.
Kia Stinger engine recalls: timeline
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns on the Kia Stinger involving the engine, transmission or fuel system, out of 4 across the years we track. Each model-year page has the details. Whether a particular car still has a recall open depends on its VIN.
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2023 | 23V634000 | fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump | 2018–2019 |
| Mar 2024 | 24V169000 | engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger: hoses/plumbing | 2018–2019 |
2 other recalls (airbags, lighting, brakes and the rest)
| Date | Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2018 | 18V754000 | electrical system: wiring: front underhood | 2018 |
| Aug 2020 | 20V518000 | service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module | 2018–2019 |
What the free pages leave out on the Kia Stinger
- The mileage where it happens, for the model year you are looking at.
- What the repair costs, to price into your offer.
- Cleaner alternatives: similar cars with a better record.
- Up to 15 owner reports, with the ones about your car's own engine first.
- What to ask the seller and what to check on the test drive.
- Open recalls on the actual car, by VIN.
Questions people ask about the Kia Stinger
What are the worst years for the Kia Stinger?
On engine and transmission complaints, the worst Kia Stinger years are the 2018 (54% of relevant complaints, high) and the 2019 (37% of relevant complaints, elevated). 2 of 2 scored years are elevated in all.
What are the best years for the Kia Stinger?
No Kia Stinger year we score is below the 33% line. The lowest share is the 2019 (37%).
Does the Kia Stinger have engine problems?
In some years. Across the 2 scored years, 49 of 105 relevant NHTSA complaints (47%) concern the engine, transmission or fuel system; the largest drivetrain category is engine. The years with an elevated share are 2018 and 2019.
Is the Kia Stinger reliable?
On the engine and transmission it depends on the year: 2 of 2 Kia Stinger years we score have an elevated complaint share and 0 do not. Pooled across those years, 47% of relevant complaints are about the drivetrain, against a 33% line for an elevated signal. Complaint data does not measure overall reliability, so pick the year first, then inspect the car.
Are there transmission or engine recalls on the Kia Stinger?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns involving the engine, transmission or fuel system across the Kia Stinger years we track, out of 4 in total: 23V634000 (Sep 2023, 2018–2019), 24V169000 (Mar 2024, 2018–2019). Whether a car still has one open depends on its VIN.
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Check a VINExperimental model-level information. This is not a vehicle inspection, vehicle-history report, financial advice or purchase recommendation. It describes patterns across model years, not the condition of any individual vehicle. Model years with fewer than 25 complaints are not scored.