Most common 2020 Kia Stinger problems
Share of the 16 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Kia Stinger complaints by model year
Best Stinger years: 2020, 2023, 2021. Compare all years →
2020 Kia Stinger recalls (6)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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 driving.
Remedy: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS Assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC193.
What 2020 Kia Stinger owners say
Fuel & propulsion system
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. …
I am reporting a Failure of the Remedy for NHTSA Recall 23V634000 (Kia Recall SC281). The original recall attempted to "fix" a High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue via a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This remedy has failed. My vehicle is currently experiencing the exact safety hazard described in the recall: loss of motive power and stalling at various speeds due to HPFP failure. Despite the software "patch" performed in 2024, the physical hardware (HPFP) has now suffered a mechanical failure, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. Description of the Incident: On or about March 15, 2026, the vehicle began lose power and stuttered while in motion, posing a significant risk of a rear-end collision. Diagnostic scans (OBD-II) confirmed code [Insert Code if known, e.g., P0087 for Low Fuel Rail Pressure]. …
Electrical system
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. …
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.
Engine & cooling
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 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. …
2020 Kia Stinger engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 22 / 29 / 25 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 21 / 29 / 24 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | AWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl turbo | 8-speed automatic | RWD | 17 / 25 / 20 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2020 Kia Stinger a good car?
Based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2020 Stinger rates better than average: 57% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Stinger at the same age. It is one of the best Stinger years by this measure. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2020 Kia Stinger?
The fuel & propulsion system — 7 complaints, 44% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the electrical system (6) and engine & cooling (6).
How many recalls does the 2020 Kia Stinger have?
There are 6 recalls for the 2020 Kia Stinger, the most recent from March 1, 2024 (hoses/plumbing). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Kia Stinger?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2020, 2023 and 2021. See the full Kia Stinger years comparison.
At what mileage do 2020 Kia Stinger problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 48,000 miles; 60% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.