The most-reported Stinger run is KNAE55LC8J6 (2018 builds) with 6 complaints, 4× the typical run. Engine problems make up 25% of reports; 2018 is the worst model year at 2 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 7 recall campaigns for Stinger model years 2018–2023.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Kia Stinger has 110 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 13% of every Stinger complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KNAE55LC8J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| KNAE25LA2J6•••••• | 2018 | — | 1 | |
| KNAE15LA1J6•••••• | 2018 | — | 1 | |
| KNAE35LC9K6•••••• | 2019 | 1 | — | |
| KNAE55LC1J6•••••• | 2018 | 1 | 1 | |
| KNAE55LC7K6•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KNAE25LA1J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| KNAE55LC3J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| KNAE55LC6J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| KNAE55LC9J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — | |
| KNAE45LC5K6•••••• | 2019 | — | — | |
| KNAE55LC0J6•••••• | 2018 | — | — |
Each of the other 98 Stinger runs has 3 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 44 Stinger VINs so far, most often 2018, 2020, 2022 builds; 2 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Kia Stinger the gap between build years is 1.8×: a 2018 car draws 2 complaints per run, a 2020 one 1.1.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 5 | 5 | 1 | |
| 2022 | 18 | 16 | — | |
| 2021 | 17 | 12 | 1 | |
| 2020 | 15 | 14 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 43 | 30 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 67 | 33 | 2 |
Heaviest year here is 2018 at 2 complaints per run; lightest is 2023 at 1. The 2023 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 25% of everything Kia Stinger owners report: Engine, 47 of 165 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 1 | 4 | |
| Electrical System | 2 | 6 | |
| Service Brakes | 1 | 1 | |
| Fuel/propulsion System | — | 1 | |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 | — | |
| Power Train | 1 | — | |
| Exterior Lighting | — | — | |
| Structure | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 7 recall campaigns on the Kia Stinger; the 6 below cover build years 2018 to 2023. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 24V169000 | Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger:hoses/plumbing | 2018–2023 |
| 20V518000 | Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module | 2018–2021 |
| 23V634000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2018–2021 |
| 21V862000 | Electrical System:instrument Panel:fuel Gauge | 2020–2021 |
| 20V560000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 2020–2021 |
| 20V422000 | Steering | 2020 |
24V169000 was opened in 2024 on cars built from 2018: 6 years on the road before the recall.
The Stinger against its rivals
The Stinger draws 1.5 complaints per production run; the Infiniti Q50 2.6 and the Acura RLX 1.8. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kia Stinger | 165 | 110 | 3.6% | |
| Infiniti Q50 | 466 | 180 | 7.5% | |
| Acura RLX | 110 | 60 | 1.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 165 reports on the Kia Stinger, 3.6% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, below the norm.
| Outcome | Kia Stinger | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 165 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 6 (3.6%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 8 (4.8%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 2 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 38% below the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Kia Stinger share of that is 165 complaints over 110 runs, 0.01% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Kia Stinger VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 165 NHTSA complaints from 110 Stinger runs and 7 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Stinger production run has the most complaints?
KNAE55LC8J6, a 2018 build, with 6 complaints. The typical Stinger run has 1.5.
Which Stinger years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2018 is heaviest at 2 complaints per run and 2023 lightest at 1.
Does the Stinger get more complaints than the Infiniti Q50?
No: 1.5 complaints per production run for the Stinger against 2.6 for the Infiniti Q50.
How many Stinger complaints involve a crash?
3.6% of 165 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 8 involved a fire.
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