Total Complaints
23 filings
KIA STINGER · model year
23 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 6 recall campaigns listed for this cohort. A VIN lookup is required to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
New Car Assessment Program
The 2020KIASTINGER carries 23 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall 5/5 rating, with 4/5 front crash, 5/5 side crash, and 5/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
The most frequently selected component label in reports for the 2020 STINGER is electrical system with 5 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (4) and engine (4). Complaint categories reflect owner reports and intake categorization; they do not establish a defect pattern or cause. This cohort has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns listed below. Enter a VIN in NHTSA's official recall lookup to determine whether a specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.
NHTSA currently has 38 investigation files overlapping the 2020 STINGER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should read the complaint-by-year trend as report volume, not a causal diagnosis. Use the related-complaint feed and the official recall lookup when researching a specific vehicle.
Total Complaints
23 filings
Crashes Reported
1 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 5 |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 4 |
| ENGINE | 4 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 2 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 1 |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 1 |
| VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM | 1 |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING | 1 |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | 1 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE
Kia 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
STEERING
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while d
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Kia 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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Kia 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING
Kia 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.
Transmission light appeared and a loud knocking noise followed by white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. I took it to a shop and they said it now needs an engine replacement.
Transmission light appeared and a loud knocking noise followed by white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. I took it to a shop and they said it now needs an engine replacement.
Transmission light appeared and a loud knocking noise followed by white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. I took it to a shop and they said it now needs an engine replacement.
I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.
I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.
My car shut off while driving down the road, it would not restart, there were no warning lights or check engine lights on. I had it towed to a repair shop and they replaced the fuel pump. Later I found out the fuel pump was recalled for the car and submitted the work receipt for reimbursement on 12/18/2024. I was never notified of the recall to have it replaced. It has been 11 weeks today and I have not been reimbursed for the $1100 I paid to have the fuel pump replaced. I could have been severely injured when my car engine shut down while driving.
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V169000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled several times for recall repair. The contact stated that upon taken the vehicle to the dealer, the dealer advised the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a second dealer, Clay Cooley (1247 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062), where the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts dist
Mileage: 55,000
The vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. I'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. All electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if I've shut the car off to get out. Usually, I'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely difficult to replicate. A person's safety is definitely in question considering if the car shuts off while driving, it could lock the steering wheel as a few others have seen. The only symptom that I have experienced is the music from the radio goes weird prior to the car shutting down.
The vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. I'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. All electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if I've shut the car off to get out. Usually, I'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely difficult to replicate. A person's safety is definitely in question considering if the car shuts off while driving, it could lock the steering wheel as a few others have seen. The only symptom that I have experienced is the music from the radio goes weird prior to the car shutting down.
The vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. I'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. All electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if I've shut the car off to get out. Usually, I'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely difficult to replicate. A person's safety is definitely in question considering if the car shuts off while driving, it could lock the steering wheel as a few others have seen. The only symptom that I have experienced is the music from the radio goes weird prior to the car shutting down.
I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. Not to mention something similar happened November 18, 2023 where I was driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Kia dealership On Covington Pike in Memphis, TN (the location on Mt Moriah informed me that if I took it to to their location, I would be charged $175 plus tax for them to run diagnostic on it, and it would be best to take it to the location that I purchased the car from—THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE & ridiculous!!!) and all they did was replace the high pressure fuel pump. They did not hook my car up to do a diagnostic, they just went off of the cod
I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. Not to mention something similar happened November 18, 2023 where I was driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Kia dealership On Covington Pike in Memphis, TN (the location on Mt Moriah informed me that if I took it to to their location, I would be charged $175 plus tax for them to run diagnostic on it, and it would be best to take it to the location that I purchased the car from—THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE & ridiculous!!!) and all they did was replace the high pressure fuel pump. They did not hook my car up to do a diagnostic, they just went off of the cod
I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. Not to mention something similar happened November 18, 2023 where I was driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Kia dealership On Covington Pike in Memphis, TN (the location on Mt Moriah informed me that if I took it to to their location, I would be charged $175 plus tax for them to run diagnostic on it, and it would be best to take it to the location that I purchased the car from—THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE & ridiculous!!!) and all they did was replace the high pressure fuel pump. They did not hook my car up to do a diagnostic, they just went off of the cod
1st safety related incident discovered December 27th, 2021, rear window defroster stopped working. Checked rear fuse block as the owner's manual had listed that the fuse would be located there. Visual observation of fuse block showed rear heater fuse had blown and the area around the fuse discolored and melted. Remedy was dealership replacing rear fuse block and given back with no explanation why the fuse heated up to cause fuse and fuse block to start to melt. 2nd same safety related incident discovered June 18th, 2023, when checking rear fuse block to see if the previous repair fixed the possible electrical fire related concern. It was noticed again that the same fuse had similar discoloration and plastic melting around the fuse. Fuse was removed and alternate dealership contacted about this concern. Vehicle was left at dealership on July 28th, 2023 and loaner vehicle was given to use until remedy could be completed. As of October 14th, 2023 this vehicle is still at the dealersh
Mileage: 47,922
1st safety related incident discovered December 27th, 2021, rear window defroster stopped working. Checked rear fuse block as the owner's manual had listed that the fuse would be located there. Visual observation of fuse block showed rear heater fuse had blown and the area around the fuse discolored and melted. Remedy was dealership replacing rear fuse block and given back with no explanation why the fuse heated up to cause fuse and fuse block to start to melt. 2nd same safety related incident discovered June 18th, 2023, when checking rear fuse block to see if the previous repair fixed the possible electrical fire related concern. It was noticed again that the same fuse had similar discoloration and plastic melting around the fuse. Fuse was removed and alternate dealership contacted about this concern. Vehicle was left at dealership on July 28th, 2023 and loaner vehicle was given to use until remedy could be completed. As of October 14th, 2023 this vehicle is still at the dealersh
Mileage: 47,922
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the spark plugs from the dealer but had an independent mechanic perform the repair. Despite the repair, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was notified that both the spark plugs, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V560000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the recall but was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufa
Mileage: 59,272
The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the spark plugs from the dealer but had an independent mechanic perform the repair. Despite the repair, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was notified that both the spark plugs, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V560000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the recall but was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufa
Mileage: 59,272
Dealer said it is a known issue, but the brakes leave deposit on rotors and cause severe shaking while slowing down. Rattles entire car and steering wheel violently. Had this issue first at 5k miles, now at 18k miles and it is back. The dealer turned the rotors for me under warranty at 5k, but now are telling me I need to purchase my own aftermarket pads and rotors because they won't cover it. Pads have plenty of meat left, just has a nasty "warble" under braking.
Dealer stated that the GDI pump has failed and that is not a common issue. My car started shuddering as I was driving in the interstate I5 north at 70mph, then the car stalled in the middle of the freeway, gas pedal was useless, if it was not because my speed was 70mph and the force of the speed keep my car moving for a little I would probably be hit by a truck putting my life and others at risk. Car was towed back to the dealer, very strong smell of gas and smoke was coming from underneath it, engine lights came on after it stalled a second time while parked on the side of the road. Only signs noticed was the shuddering one day prior to this incident but car did not stall and I thought It was because it needed oil change, other was hesitation to start while cold, after a second attempt it would start without problem. all those signs were not long lasting nor repetitive (shuddering happened only ones prior the day of the incident and ones seconds before the incident).
moving forward into parking space with my foot on the brake car accelerated and smashed into a tree.
Data vintage: August 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Every figure on PlainCars is rendered directly from NHTSA complaint and safety data, no number is typed in by an editor. This year-specific record is rendered from NHTSA ODI, recall, and NCAP rows for the 2020 KIA STINGER; no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of August 2026.
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.