2021 Kia Stinger problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Stinger, most often about brakes. There are 5 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 17
Recalls: 5
Crashes: 1
Fires: 0
Injuries: 0
Median mileage: 1,200 mi

Safety warning: at least one recall for this vehicle tells owners to park outside until it is repaired. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Key facts

Brakes is the most-reported problem area, named in 6 of 17 complaints (35%).
Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion (4) and engine (4) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 1,200 mi.
Owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries.
The 2021 Kia Stinger has 5 recalls on file.
It ranks 3rd of 6 Kia Stinger model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 6% more complaints than the 2020 model year (16).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Unknown or other	5
Service brakes	4
Engine	4
Fuel/propulsion system	3
Service brakes, air:disc:rotor	1
Service brakes, hydraulic	1
Suspension	1
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly	1

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2021 Kia Stinger complaints that list mileage.

2021 Kia Stinger recalls (5)

Recall 24V169000Mar 1, 202436,248 vehicles
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.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
Recall 23V634000Sep 13, 202318,224 vehicles
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.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
Recall 21V862000Nov 5, 202153 vehicles
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.
Risk: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers 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.
Recall 20V560000Sep 16, 2020635 vehicles
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.
Risk: Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Kia 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.
Recall 20V518000Aug 27, 202028,200 vehiclesPark outside
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-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) is located.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Remedy: Kia 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.

Recent 2021 Kia Stinger complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Jun 17, 2026SCFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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. I called the dealership and they said my VIN wasn't attached to it. But I do think it should be.
NHTSA complaint #11744848 · source
Filed Oct 1, 2025MAEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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 sometimes I forget. It has happened at over 20 times that I have documented over the last couple of thousand miles, many times in dangerous locations, in the middle…
NHTSA complaint #11690875 · source
Filed Aug 5, 2025CABrakesOther / Unknown
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 stingers with this issue and should be replaced and yes the car is dirty but that is not dirt.
NHTSA complaint #11678569 · source
Filed Mar 5, 2024ARBrakes
All 4 Rotors are warped and pads are worn down on a 30K mile vehicle. Have had several mechanics tell me That the pressure proportioning valve hose.might be becoming stuck on just enough to make the rotors get hot and wear down. I have looked online and have read many people having the same issues.Kia has told me there are no active bulletins or recalls for this problem.I have driven sport vehicles 40 plus years and have never had to replace the brakes on a 30k mile car.and…
NHTSA complaint #11575587 · source
Filed Nov 21, 2023MDTowedFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his nearby residence. The contact stated upon driving the vehicle uphill that same day, the vehicle failed to exceed 2-3 MPH and started losing power. The contact stated that he drove back to his nearby residence. The…
NHTSA complaint #11556241 · source
Filed Jun 20, 2023MIBrakesOther / UnknownSuspension
Bought this vehicle from Carvana.com and have been trying to get it repaired since then. There is something wrong with the steering/braking/suspension system. According to License Mechanic Derek Hartfield at Monroe [phone removed] after a road test - told me the vehicle is not safe to drive. He attempted to repair vehicle and Carvana denied the repair. Carvana instructed me to take car to Dealership, dealer has a wait list, I have a family and need to work. It feels like no…
NHTSA complaint #11527904 · source
Filed Dec 9, 2022CACrashBrakesEngineTransmission & Drivetrain
My transmission/engine and brake system failed. I was slowing down to probably 5 mph to make a right hand turn into my driveway from the street when the engine started racing. I heard a loud whine and the car started to speed up. I jammed my foot onto the brake to slow down but did not have the time to try to put the transmission into neutral. The car was not slowing down so I turned right to hit my tree rather than proceed straight and crash into my garage. When I hit the…
NHTSA complaint #11496826 · source
Filed Oct 10, 2022TXOther / UnknownVisibility & Wipers
I was driving on hwy 73 when I heard a sound like a shotgun went off. Glass started falling in the car and on me as the sunroof had shattered. There was no other vehicle in the area and the sunroof was closed.
NHTSA complaint #11488712 · source

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Other 2021 Kia models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology