2018 Kia Stinger Safety Report
2018 KIA STINGER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2018 Kia Stinger
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2018 Kia Stinger. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | High (4) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (64) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 7 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Engine | Compare engine issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2023 | Compare against the 2023 Kia Stinger with 5 complaints and 1 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2019 | Check the 2019 Kia Stinger before buying across this generation. |
Kia Stinger Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Kia Stinger years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 Kia Stinger | 40 | 3 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2020 Kia Stinger | 14 | 6 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Kia Stinger | 16 | 5 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Kia Stinger | 12 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2023 Kia Stinger | 5 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
2018 Kia Stinger Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2018 Kia Stinger, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Engine
9 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Kia onlyExterior Lighting
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Exterior Lighting issues Kia onlyService Brakes
7 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Service Brakes issues Kia onlyFuel System, Gasoline
5 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel System, Gasoline issues Kia onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Kia onlyFuel/Propulsion System
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Kia onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2018 Kia Stinger
Reliability Score
The 2018 Kia Stinger receives a reliability score of 85 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates above-average reliability relative to comparable vehicles.
Known Issues for the 2018 Kia Stinger
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2018 Kia Stinger:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine And Engine Cooling Hose and plumbing issues can lead to overheating. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Fuel System, Gasoline Fuel pump recalls due to engine sputtering and hesitation. |
Medium | Common | 80k-100k miles |
| Exterior Lighting Headlight malfunctions leading to reduced visibility. |
Low | Occasional | 0-100k miles |
| Service Brakes Issues with anti-lock and traction control systems. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2018 Kia Stinger:
Issues with hoses and plumbing leading to overheating.
Recalls for fuel pump issues causing engine sputtering and hesitation.
Headlight malfunctions leading to reduced visibility.
Issues with anti-lock and traction control systems.
Recall Details for the 2018 Kia Stinger
The following 4 recalls have been issued for the 2018 Kia Stinger by NHTSA:
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Summary: Kia 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.
Consequence: The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Kia 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 Complaint Summaries for the 2018 Kia Stinger
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2018 Kia Stinger with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 1 complaint involved crashes. 2 involved fires.
The oil pressure light is coming on . Even after doing oil change at dealership it’s not going away. Confirmed that the issue was with the oil pressure switch at dealership, which is a common problem for 3.3L V6 engines . Similar issue was observed in other older models with similar engine and the warranty was extended to cover this issue (WTY026).
Oil light comes on and out i do have warranty for the car.
My vehicle is experiencing active symptoms consistent with the defects described in recalls SC279 and SC281. These include: - Sputtering and hesitation under acceleration - Severe drop in fuel mileage - Check Engine Light - Fuel‑rail pressure fault code - Black soot at the tailpipe - Loss of power The vehicle is unsafe to drive and may stall. My dealership confirmed that the recall parts are on na...
Around a two years ago the headlight brights failed and have yet to come back. Kia refuses to fix the issue stating normal wear. This is an incredible hazard to safety in night operation of the vehicle. We are told it is due to a motor in the headlight assembly failing. There are many forum post about this issue and the only known fix is to replace both headlight assemblies at a cost of upward of ...
related malfunction on my 2018 Kia Stinger. My hazard lights are activating on their own, changing flash speeds, and failing to turn off at times. This creates a safety concern while driving.
My oil light came on around 91,000 miles. Kia is known for this issue being an oil pressure sensor issue. Happens around 80,000-100,000 miles. Its a pretty common issue and the labor for a $80 part costs up to $2,000.
I was driving my car as normal, but noticed a clicking noise but with NO dashboard lights on. Went to my dad who was formerly a mechanic to check it out. He put a few fluids in it, told me to drive it for a few miles. Went no more than 5 miles before the car just shut off and into neutral on me whilst driving. No dashboard lights came on until this moment, so not sure if all of the sensors were br...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally while accelerating. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was ...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, there was an abnormal ticking sound coming from the engine compartment. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V169000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the left turbocharger oi...
Fuel pump recall came back but Kia wouldn’t take it back without the recall being open
I have a check engine light related to the high pressure fuel pump. Because i brought the car in for the recall before the code appeared for the high pressure fuel pump, Kia claims the recall is complete and will not perform the related recall repairs. I also have since developed a engine code related to the catalytic converter which i am told by a separate mechanic that this can be caused by the...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the engine started knocking for approximately six minutes. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who declined the repair, due to gaps in between oil changes. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately ...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that occasionally while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle during each failure. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a light, at 5 MPH the vehicle lost automotive power, with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehi...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V169000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated that there was a burning odor coming from underneath the hood of the vehicle near...
Oil pressure switch is malfunctioning. At idle, low oil light comes after. When accelerating the light goes off.
Oil pressure sender unit is failing on these vehicles. There are several reports on the forums about this issue. First, the oil pressure warning light appeared on the dash. I brought my vehicle to an independent service center and they performed a diagnostic. They confirmed that the oil pressure sender was bad and filling with oil. This is a fire risk as oil is leaking in a hot engine compar...
Confirmed that the Oil Pressure Switch had to be replace. Kia had a recall begin July 3, 2019 that the part was faulty and did extend to eligible vehicles to 15 years or 150,000 miles. This part is known problem in the make and model of the Kia Stinger. My 2018 Stinger GT2 was not included in the recall. The dealer did replace and confirmed that the part number is 24V169000 which was included in...
The bright lights on both headlights stopped working instantly.. the design is flawed as it operates on a shutter using one bulb.. the malfunction is cause by premature failure of the gears in the shutter. The dealerships are aware of this problem as the shutter is also used in their Telluride vehicles as well… it causes safety issues when driving at night. Kia also knows the problem also the gear...
Oil Pressure Switch is bad. Kia had a recall begin July 3, 2029 that the part was faulty and did extend to eligible vehicles to 15 years or 150,000 miles. This part is known problem in the make and model of the Kia Stinger and I now have this issue with my 2018 Stinger GT2 with 115,000 miles. Many complaint on forums related to this but it seems that Kia has selected specific vehicles only. Oil...
The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle was shuddering and lost motor power. The contact previously replaced the spark plugs, and the engine out of pocket. In addition, excessive white smoke was coming from the exhaust pipes. The vehicle was towed to a local dealer where it was diagnosed with a misfire in cylinder #3. The vehicle w...
Showing 20 of 64 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2018 Kia Stinger
Has the 2018 KIA STINGER been recalled?
Yes, the 2018 KIA STINGER has 4 recalls on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2018 KIA STINGER have?
The 2018 KIA STINGER has 64 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 2 involved crashes. 2 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2018 KIA STINGER?
The 2018 KIA STINGER does not have an NHTSA safety rating on file. This can happen for newer model years, specialty vehicles, or models that have not been crash-tested.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 KIA STINGER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2018 KIA STINGER involve engine (9 complaints), exterior lighting (7 complaints), service brakes (7 complaints). Other affected components include fuel system, gasoline, unknown or other, fuel/propulsion system.
How many crash reports does the 2018 KIA STINGER have?
There are 2 crash reports associated with the 2018 KIA STINGER out of 64 total complaints (3.1% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2018 KIA STINGER have?
There are 5 fire reports for the 2018 KIA STINGER out of 64 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2018 KIA STINGER?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA STINGER. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2018 KIA STINGER?
2 injuries have been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2018 KIA STINGER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2018 KIA STINGER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2018 KIA STINGER is research thoroughly before purchasing. It has 64 complaints, 4 recalls. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2018 KIA STINGER?
The components with the most failures on the 2018 KIA STINGER are: 1. ENGINE (9 complaints), 2. EXTERIOR LIGHTING (7 complaints), 3. SERVICE BRAKES (7 complaints), 4. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (5 complaints), 5. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints). ENGINE is the single most-reported problem area with 9 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2018 KIA STINGER?
Be aware of potential engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system recalls, exterior lighting failures, and service brake problems. Regular maintenance and timely recalls are crucial. The 2018 KIA STINGER has 64 NHTSA complaints and 4 recalls on record.
How reliable is the 2018 KIA STINGER?
The 2018 KIA STINGER receives a reliability score of 85/100, indicating above-average reliability. This is based on 64 owner complaints, 4 recalls, and 7 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Engine and engine cooling and Fuel system, gasoline.
What are the known issues with the 2018 KIA STINGER?
Known issues with the 2018 KIA STINGER include: Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasoline, Exterior lighting, Service brakes. These are based on patterns found across 64 NHTSA complaints. 4 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the common issues with the 2018 KIA Stinger?
Common issues include engine and engine cooling problems, fuel system recalls, exterior lighting failures, and service brake issues.
Are there any recalls for the 2018 KIA Stinger?
Yes, recalls have been issued for fuel pump issues and engine and engine cooling problems.
What should I do if I experience engine sputtering or hesitation?
Check for recalls and contact Kia for a potential fuel pump replacement or other necessary repairs.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be aware of potential engine and engine cooling issues, fuel system recalls, exterior lighting failures, and service brake problems. Regular maintenance and timely recalls are crucial.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2018 Kia Stinger
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2018 Kia Stinger. The data includes 64 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 4 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 2 reported crashes, 5 fire incidents, 2 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16