2018 Kia Stinger problems and complaints

Owners have filed 67 complaints with NHTSA about the 2018 Kia Stinger. The most-reported areas: Engine (22), Electrical System (11), Fuel/Propulsion System (10).

Key takeaways

  • 67 owner complaints on file with NHTSA.
  • 2 involve a crash, 5 a fire, 2 reported injuries.
  • Complaints are unverified owner reports; recalls are confirmed defects.
Complaints by component
ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine2233%
Electrical System1116%
Fuel/Propulsion System1015%
Service Brakes913%
Exterior Lighting710%
Power Train69%
Unknown Or Other57%
Fuel System57%
Gasoline57%
Steering34%
Engine And Engine Cooling34%
Vehicle Speed Control34%

One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

NHTSA 5-Star crash ratings
VersionOverallFrontSideRollover
2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated
2018 Kia Stinger 4 DR FWDNot ratedNot ratedNot ratedNot rated

Latest complaints, as filed

Owner-written and unverified by NHTSA.

Engine - filed 2026-08-07

On XXX my son picked up his 2018 Kia Stinger (VIN [XXX]) from Ken Garff Honda Riverdale, UT after a routine oil change, filter change, and tire rotation (RO# 5026743). About 3 hours later, while driving on [XXX] near [XXX], he noticed a burning smell, then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, followed by fla...

Steering,electrical System,lane Departure - filed 2026-08-01

While driving the steering wheel jerks back and forth as if it's trying to help assist in keeping in lanes even with the lane assistant off and it doesn't matter what speed it jerks the whole time. The steering wheel will also move on its own back and forth while in a parked position too. It's very dangerous because i...

Fuel/Propulsion System - filed 2026-07-18

My vehicle is exhibiting a loss of drive power, particularly uphill, with a diagnostic code of P0088 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too High). This is the same defect addressed by recall campaign 23V634000 (Kia SC281), covering the high-pressure fuel pump / fuel control valve plunger on 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. I had th...

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More for the 2018 Kia Stinger

Complaints are reports filed by owners with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. NHTSA publishes them without verifying them, and counts rise with how many cars were sold, so compare years of the same model rather than different models. Crash ratings are NHTSA's own 5-Star Safety Ratings results.