2019 Kia Stinger Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2019 Kia Stinger, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Engine1224.5%
- Brakes1122.4%
- Electrical918.4%
- Fuel system612.2%
- Visibility36.1%
- Powertrain (other)36.1%
- Body & structure24.1%
- Exterior lighting12.0%
- Tires & wheels12.0%
- Driver assistance12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Oil pressure sensor failure on the engine, there is an open TSB for this same issue/same engine on other Kia models but not the Stinger. Dealer verified that the oil pressure is fine and that it is the sensor, independently verified by a third party shop. Dealer charge is over $3k for the repair and third party is just about $2k.
My 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 with approximately 25,000 miles has been out of service since February 12, 2026 for diagnosis and repair of a system issue. The vehicle has remained at the dealership for over two months. Multiple repair attempts have been made, including escalation to Kia corporate engineering. Despite these efforts, the issue has not been clearly diagnosed and no permanent repair has been completed. The vehicle is currently unusable, and the inability to identify the root cause raises concerns that the issue could result in unpredictable or recurring system behavior. Given the reliance on electronic and computer-controlled systems, there is concern about safe and reliable operation if the vehicle is returned without a confirmed fix. The manufacturer has not provided a clear resolution or timeline.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
I only have 16,2000 miles on this car and for a while now after driving for 10-15 minutes I get a good shaking out of the front end and steering wheel when I use the brakes. I have no problems when the car is cold (less then 10 miles). I gets to the point I am worried there is something wrong with the car. I have started using the paddle shifters to downshift to help slow the car down because I don't want to use the brakes so much. I am not sure if this is a maintenance issue that requires new brakes pads or rotors. Are there any known issues with the brakes on 2019 KIA Stingers that I need to be worried about? Am I required to replace pads or rotors at a certain mileage? Is this something I need to take to a dealer to have inspected? I don't recall when I first noticed this issue so I will add today's date and today's mileage on the car but it has been happening for many months before I started to get concerned.
I have driven 6,000 miles myself since purchasing the vehicle in March of ‘22. The brakes have developed a wobble or shutter feeling. While driving with no braking, the vibration is obvious. When braking, the vibration feels dangerous.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 with approximately 25,000 miles has been out of service since February 12, 2026 for diagnosis and repair of a system issue. The vehicle has remained at the dealership for over two months. Multiple repair attempts have been made, including escalation to Kia corporate engineering. Despite these efforts, the issue has not been clearly diagnosed and no permanent repair has been completed. The vehicle is currently unusable, and the inability to identify the root cause raises concerns that the issue could result in unpredictable or recurring system behavior. Given the reliance on electronic and computer-controlled systems, there is concern about safe and reliable operation if the vehicle is returned without a confirmed fix. The manufacturer has not provided a clear resolution or timeline.
Wiring harness has been severed, chewed through, or burnt. Multiple times. If my phone listed down below does not work call [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
The issue involves the high-pressure fuel pump covered under Recall 23V634000 (Kia SC281). When the recall was marked as “completed” at the dealership, only a software update was performed. The required inspection of the fuel pump and potential replacement were never carried out. Two years later, the vehicle began experiencing problems consistent with the recall defect, including loss of power and engine performance issues. This indicates the recall remedy was not properly completed, and the defective fuel pump was left in place. The safety risk is that the vehicle may lose motive power while driving, increasing the likelihood of a crash. This problem could potentially affect other owners if recalls are being closed without full inspection or replacement. The symptoms have been observed during regular driving and can be reproduced. The vehicle has not yet been inspected by Kia for the current issue beyond the original recall visit. Warning lights and drivability issues began appearing recently, which align with the defect described in the recall notice. The high-pressure fuel pump is available for inspection upon request.
The car had fuel pump recall I had it fixed on 10/24 now the car has the same issue but your kia refuses to fix it. My warranty company is replaceing the fuel pump but not the reprogramming of it but why is it my issue if it is a recall to begin with that wasn’t fixed or I would not need a high pressure fuel pump and have the same problem. Kia states they only fix one time so now I’m responsible to have it programmed when it was a recall to begin with
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
I was driving on the highway & my sunroof exploded. At first i thought someone had dropped something off a bridge , but i realized from the damages. Sunroof exploded. The glass caused damage to my paint !
****BIG safety issue. Headlights low visibility- doesn't shine far enough ahead to avoid any possible collision w/ pedestrian/vehicle. Headlights seem to shine down more and not far enough up ahead. I've avoided driving at night all together due to this safety issue. I do NOT have vision issues- it is the vehicle itself. There is no way to adjust headlights unless the car is physically taken apart and manually done. I've almost hit a pedestrian at high speed and barely stopped. There was no extended visibility up ahead to react and stop more safely. Very dangerous. I don't understand why the headlights were positioned in this manner.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
My 2019 Kia Stinger GT2 with approximately 25,000 miles has been out of service since February 12, 2026 for diagnosis and repair of a system issue. The vehicle has remained at the dealership for over two months. Multiple repair attempts have been made, including escalation to Kia corporate engineering. Despite these efforts, the issue has not been clearly diagnosed and no permanent repair has been completed. The vehicle is currently unusable, and the inability to identify the root cause raises concerns that the issue could result in unpredictable or recurring system behavior. Given the reliance on electronic and computer-controlled systems, there is concern about safe and reliable operation if the vehicle is returned without a confirmed fix. The manufacturer has not provided a clear resolution or timeline.
MY VEHICLE WAS STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION COMING OFF INTERSTATE THIS EVENING AND MY CAR JUST JUST DOWN AS THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN. I TRIED TO START IT 3X AND 4TH TIME I OPENED THE DOOR AND SHUT IT AND THEN IT STARTED. 3 DAYS AGO I GOT A VOICE WARNING SOMETHING IS WRONG W THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND THEIR SYSTEM IS DOWN BUT SAID IT COULD BE BECAUSE FUEL WAS LOW AND DIRT COULD HAVE CAUSE THE WARNING. THEY CALLED SATURDAY TO CHECK ON ME AND IT WAS FINE UNTIL TODAY. I WILL HAVE IT TOWED TO DEALETSHIP. THIS HAPPENED BEFORE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO AND THEY CHANGED BATTERIES IN KEY FAUB AND HAS BEEN FINE TIL TODAY. OTHERS SHARING ON FORUM HAVE HAD SAME ISSUES. ONE HAD BODY CONTROL MODULE REPLACED FIRST TIME AND SECOND TIME THEY REPLACED WIRING HARNESS. I HAVE A FEELING THE AUTO STOP IS INVOLVED
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
The roof trim panel separates from the vehicle while driving. Depending on the car's speed the metal, plastic and rubber strip is lifted up and off the car and into the slip stream behind the vehicle creating a serious hazard for cars behind us. We examined the strip and determined the plastic clips that hold this panel in place do not function as intended, or fail to adequately hold this large section of trim in place during driving conditions. We brought this to the attention to the Kia dealership and were told "Warranty replacement items are not covered after 12 months". They offered to replace the item but we believe it is material craftsmanship and a design flaw that allows this trim to fall off the car while driving.
KEY PROBLEM IS WITH THE SUNROOF AND A CONSTANT, UNENDING RATTLING. THE SOUND IS VERY LOUD WHENEVER THE CAR IS MOVING BUT IT IS ALSO PRESENT WHEN CAR IS RUNNING BUT STATIONARY. IF SUNROOF IS OPEN, THE RATTLING DISSIPATES; ROAD TYPES OR DIRECTION OF TRAVEL DO NOT CAUSE THE SOUND TO CHANGE IN ANY WAY. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS ISSUE TO THE ATTENTION OF KIA CORPORATE AT LEAST 4-TIMES IN LAST MONTH AND HAVE NOT GOTTEN A SINGLE RESPONSE OTHER THAN SOME ONE IS WORKING IT AND WILL CALL YOU. I PURCHASED THIS CAR OFF SHOWROOM FLOOR LESS THAN 3-MONTHS AGO AND IT HAS ABOUT 2K MILES ON IT. I FINALLY GOT IT TO DEALER WHO HAD IT FOR 12-DAYS; UPON RECEIVING MY CAR BACK, THE RATTLING RETURNED IN LESS THAN 4-DAYS - SAME FACTORS AS LISTED ABOVE. IN READING OTHER ONLINE FORUMS, SEVERAL OWNERS OF SAME MODEL ALSO HAVE THE EXACT PROBLEM AS WELL.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
****BIG safety issue. Headlights low visibility- doesn't shine far enough ahead to avoid any possible collision w/ pedestrian/vehicle. Headlights seem to shine down more and not far enough up ahead. I've avoided driving at night all together due to this safety issue. I do NOT have vision issues- it is the vehicle itself. There is no way to adjust headlights unless the car is physically taken apart and manually done. I've almost hit a pedestrian at high speed and barely stopped. There was no extended visibility up ahead to react and stop more safely. Very dangerous. I don't understand why the headlights were positioned in this manner.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Stinger equipped with Michelin Tires, Tire Line: Pilot Sport 4, Front Tire Size: 225/40/ZR19, DOT number: HCUJ00HX4118; and Rear Tire Size: 255/35/ZR19, DOT number: HCN401FX4118. The contact stated while his wife was driving 55 MPH, the driver-side rear tire experienced a blowout. The contact stated his wife was able to veer to the side of the road, where she replaced the tire with assistance. The contact stated that as his wife returned from her trip, he inspected the front driver side tire and the front and rear passenger’s side tires and noticed that the top tread on those tires was separating. The dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure and referred the contact to the tire manufacturer for assistance. The tire manufacturer offered a discount for new tires. The front driver’s side tire and the front and rear passenger’s side tires were not replaced. The tires were the original equipment. The approximate vehicle and tire failure mileage were 23,600.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving approximately 70 MPH, the Forward Collision Avoidance system erroneously engaged, and the vehicle slowed down. The contact was able to pull over, wait for several minutes, and then restart the vehicle. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that while merging into traffic, the vehicle slowed down and stopped in traffic. The contact stated that the battery had drained. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer. who was unable to duplicate the failure and cleared the warning light. The accelerator pedal and battery were replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was contacted, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .