YearToAvoid

2019 Kia Stinger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

80/100

#2 most-complained of 6 Stinger years

The 2019 Kia Stinger has 44 NHTSA complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 80, ranking it 2nd-worst of 6 model years with an Avoid verdict. Engine, brakes, and electrical issues dominate the complaints.

Complaints
44
Recalls
3
Crashes / fires
1 / 3
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy

Top 2019 Kia Stinger problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Engine12 (27%)
  2. Brakes11 (25%)
  3. Electrical System10 (23%)
  4. Fuel System7 (16%)
  5. Other5 (11%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
  7. Visibility & Wipers3 (7%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  9. Collision Avoidance & Cameras1 (2%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report smoke and flames coming from the rear fuse panel area shortly after starting or driving the car.
  • Some drivers noticed smoke entering the cabin along with illuminated tire gauge and brake warning lights while stopped.
  • Instrument panel warning lights and blind-spot alerts flash erratically without an actual hazard present, with noticeable play in controls.
  • Brakes feel soft or mushy and require extra pedal effort to stop, especially at low speeds around town.
  • A rattling noise from the sunroof area persists whether the car is moving or stationary, worsening when the sunroof is closed.
  • The auto stop-start feature causes a dip in electrical power that blanks out the center console lights and display when the engine restarts.
2019 Kia Stinger complaints: complaints filed per month3May 2019Jul 2020Mar 2021Jan 2022Sep 2023Jan 2025Mar 2026
55 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2019 to Aug 2026; peak Nov 2020 (3).

2019 Kia Stinger recalls

3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 24V169000Mar 1, 2024Engine36,248 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.

  2. NHTSA 23V634000Sep 13, 2023Fuel System18,224 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.

  3. NHTSA 20V518000Aug 27, 2020Brakes28,200 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.

2019 Kia Stinger fuel economy and fuel cost

City
19 MPG
Highway
27 MPG
Combined
22 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,650
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Premium
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2019 compared with other Stinger years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100201820192020202120222023
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2018Avoid10068422
2019Avoid8044322
2020Best2016622
2021Good4017522

All Kia Stinger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2019 Kia Stinger reliable?
NHTSA data shows the 2019 Stinger has 44 complaints, 3 recalls, and a complaint index of 80, making it the 2nd-worst year out of 6 for this model, with an Avoid verdict.
What problems does the 2019 Kia Stinger have?
The top problem area is the engine (12 complaints, 27% share), followed by brakes (11 complaints, 25%) and electrical system issues (10 complaints, 23%), including reports of fires.
Does the 2019 Kia Stinger have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2019 Stinger: an engine turbocharger oil feed pipe recall, a fuel system recall for the fuel pump plunger, and a brakes recall involving a fuse kit that also required parking outside.
Which Kia Stinger year is worse than 2019?
The 2018 Stinger is worse, with 68 complaints, 4 recalls, and a complaint index of 100, compared to the 2019 model's index of 80.
What mileage do 2019 Kia Stinger problems typically show up at?
The median mileage at failure across all reported problems for the 2019 Stinger is 12,500 miles, though engine issues showed a median of 21,000 miles and brake issues showed 1,380 miles.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.