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2018 Kia Stinger

Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
47 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls3 critical4
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA67
Crash ratingNHTSA overall—
Fuel economybest combined, EPA25 mpg
202320222021202020192018
Active NHTSA advisory: park outside and away from structures until repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and see the recall details below.

The 2018 Kia Stinger is sold in the U.S. as a gas midsize car with 4 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Stinger RWD, is EPA-rated at 25 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year, 3 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 67 complaints, most often about the engine.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Stinger RWDGasRWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo222925$3,100
Stinger AWDGasAWD2.0L 4-cyl turbo212924$3,250
Stinger AWDGasAWD3.3L 6-cyl turbo172520$3,900
Stinger RWDGasRWD3.3L 6-cyl turbo172520$3,900

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 39719, 39718, 39716, 39717.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2018 Kia Stinger is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (4)

Source: NHTSA recall database
!critical

Engine And Engine Cooling

SC300
36,248 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskAn oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 24V169000reported Mar 1, 2024Kia America, Inc.
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

SC281
18,224 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskA loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.FixDealers 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.
NHTSA campaign 23V634000reported Sep 13, 2023Kia America, Inc.
!critical

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

SC196
Park outside28,200 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskAn engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.FixKia 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.
NHTSA campaign 20V518000reported Aug 27, 2020Kia Motors America
!critical

Electrical System

SC170
16,011 vehicles
ProblemKia 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.RiskThe damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.FixKia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.
NHTSA campaign 18V754000reported Oct 25, 2018Kia Motors America

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
67complaints filed

2 involved a crash · 5 a fire · 2 injuries · 1 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2018: 3 · 2019: 13 · 2020: 6 · 2021: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 10 · 2024: 8 · 2025: 14 · 2026: 7

Most-cited components

Engine22
Electrical System11
Fuel/Propulsion System10
Exterior Lighting7
Service Brakes7
Power Train6

What owners describe

“Casey Kia located in Newport News Virginia continues to delay the replacement of my fuel pump. I was told it was replaced but 2 weeks later I was having the same issue to the point where my car was decelerating on the interstate. After I took it back in for them to repair it I was told they would look into it. I receiv…”Jul 26, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“1.What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? •The malfunctioning components are the car seats. Specifically, both the driver and passenger seats do not go back up after reclining. Yes, these seats are available for inspection upon request. 2.How was your safety …”Jul 9, 2024 · Seats · NHTSA owner report
“*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 …”Mar 21, 2024 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP

NHTSA has not published 5-Star crash ratings for this model year.

Other Stinger model years

B

2023 Kia Stinger

1 recalls · 5 complaints

B

2022 Kia Stinger

1 recalls · 17 complaints

F

2021 Kia Stinger

5 recalls · 17 complaints

F

2020 Kia Stinger

6 recalls · 16 complaints

D

2019 Kia Stinger

3 recalls · 44 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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