YearToAvoid

2020 Kia Stinger Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Best

Complaint Index

20/100

#5 most-complained of 6 Stinger years

The 2020 Kia Stinger ranks 5th out of 6 model years with a Complaint Index of 20 and is rated Best relative to other Stinger years. It has 16 complaints, 6 recalls, and no fires, injuries, or deaths reported.

Complaints
16
Recalls
6
Crashes / fires
1 / 0
Injuries / deaths
0 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
5 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
22
19 city / 27 hwy

Top 2020 Kia Stinger problems

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

  1. Fuel System7 (44%)
  2. Electrical System6 (38%)
  3. Engine6 (38%)
  4. Brakes2 (13%)
  5. Steering2 (13%)
  6. Transmission & Powertrain2 (13%)
  7. HVAC1 (6%)
  8. Other1 (6%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (6%)

What owners report

  • Owners report the engine or fuel pump causing sudden stalling at highway speeds, sometimes with the accelerator becoming unresponsive.
  • Some drivers describe the entire electrical system shutting down mid-drive, including at low speeds during turns and at highway exit speeds.
  • Owners report the vehicle jerking or hesitating when the accelerator is pressed, often with the check engine light coming on.
  • Brake rotors reportedly develop deposits that cause severe shaking and rattling through the steering wheel when slowing down.
  • A few owners describe the steering wheel suddenly locking up or becoming stiff, or moving on its own while the car is idle.
  • One owner reported a rear defroster fuse blowing with visible melting and discoloration around the fuse block.
2020 Kia Stinger complaints: complaints filed per month5Jul 2020Jun 2021Mar 2023Dec 2023Sep 2024Aug 2025Mar 2026
28 complaints filed with NHTSA from Jul 2020 to Apr 2026; peak Mar 2026 (5).

2020 Kia Stinger recalls

6 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 21V862000Nov 5, 2021Electrical System53 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.

See all 6 recalls for the 2020 Kia Stinger →

2020 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.

2020 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
2022Caution6018122

All Kia Stinger years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2020 Kia Stinger reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Stinger has a Complaint Index of 20 and ranks 5th out of 6 model years, earning a Best verdict relative to other Stinger years.
What problems does the 2020 Kia Stinger have?
The top problem area is the Fuel System, accounting for 44% of complaints, followed by Electrical System and Engine issues, each at 38%. Median mileage at failure across all complaints is 47,922 miles.
Does the 2020 Kia Stinger have a recall?
Yes, NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2020 Stinger, covering the engine turbocharger oil line, fuel pump/fuel control valve, instrument cluster software, brake fuse box, and steering assembly. None are do-not-drive recalls.
How does the 2020 Stinger compare to other years?
The 2020 Stinger has a lower Complaint Index (20) than 2018 (100) and 2019 (80), which are rated Avoid, but a higher index than 2021 (40), 2022 (60), and 2023 (0).
What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Kia Stinger?
The 2020 Stinger gets 22 mpg combined (19 city / 27 highway) and costs $3,650 a year in fuel according to EPA estimates.

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.