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2021 Kia Stinger

Gas
Midsize Cars
4 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
F
Safety Signal
51 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
Recalls2 critical5
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA17
Crash ratingNHTSA overall5★
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 2021 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 5 recall campaigns for this model year, 2 rated critical, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of F. Owners have filed 17 complaints, most often about the engine. NHTSA crash-tested it at 5 stars overall.

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: 42778, 42777, 42779, 42780.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 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 (5)

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.
○minor

Electrical System

SC219
53 vehicles
ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.RiskAn inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.FixDealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.
NHTSA campaign 21V862000reported Nov 5, 2021Kia Motors America
▲high

Fuel System, Gasoline

SC198
635 vehicles
ProblemKia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel pump's jet nozzle may have a plastic burr remaining from the manufacturing process, possibly causing a blocked nozzle and an insufficient fuel supply to the engine.RiskInsufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.FixKia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel pump and replace the jet nozzle housing assembly, if necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 29, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC198.
NHTSA campaign 20V560000reported Sep 16, 2020Kia Motors America
!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

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
17complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 5 · 2022: 6 · 2023: 2 · 2024: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2026: 1

Most-cited components

Unspecified5
Engine4
Service Brakes4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Electrical System2
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1

What owners describe

“My car started skipping or stalling when I'd press the accelerator. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to an Independent mechanic and it showed high pressure fuel pump or system. The spark plugs were changed, but the problem remained. I checked and noticed that there was a recall for that particular problem…”Jun 17, 2026 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“Since April I have been having the same issue. Sometimes when I am stopped and the autostop is supposed to shut down the engine, the engine just sputters and if I hit the gas nothing happens. I have to put the car in park and shut it down then restart it. I try to shut the auto stop off when I get in the car but someti…”Oct 1, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System · NHTSA owner report
“At certain times when I am braking the brake "skips" it's like i am unable to brake so I end up braking late. It's become a safety hazard since there are times when I have almost hit another car. Also, the other is the silver trim on the exterior looks completely faded probably from the sun but I've seen multiple sting…”Aug 5, 2025 · Service Brakes · 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
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
4 DR AWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9%
4 DR RWD★★★★★★★★★☆★★★★★★★★★★9%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Stinger model years

B

2023 Kia Stinger

1 recalls · 5 complaints

B

2022 Kia Stinger

1 recalls · 17 complaints

F

2020 Kia Stinger

6 recalls · 16 complaints

D

2019 Kia Stinger

3 recalls · 44 complaints

F

2018 Kia Stinger

4 recalls · 67 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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