2021 Kia Stinger: recalls, fuel economy and safety ratings
EPA rates the 2021 Kia Stinger at 20–25 mpg combined across 4 versions. NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 17 owner complaints for this model year. Its best NHTSA overall crash-test rating is 5 out of 5 stars.
Safety recalls
5
EPA combined mpg
20–25
NHTSA overall rating
5/5
Recall file dated Oct 27, 2026 · EPA file dated Sep 29, 2026 · updated Oct 27, 2026, 7:34 AM EDT
Check your own car: enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls for that exact vehicle, and contact a Kia dealer to schedule the repair — safety recall repairs are free. The list below covers the whole model year, so not every recall applies to every car.
2021 Kia Stinger recalls
NHTSA's recall file lists 5 safety recalls for the 2021 Kia Stinger, newest first.
Engine and engine cooling: Engine: Gasoline: Turbo/supercharger: Hoses/plumbing
NHTSA 24V169000Reported Mar 1, 2024
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC300)
Units affected
36,248 (estimate)
Problem
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.
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.
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.
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.
Risk
Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
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. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC198.
Service brakes, hydraulic: Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: Control unit/module
NHTSA 20V518000Reported Aug 27, 2020Park outside
Filed by
Kia America, Inc. (manufacturer recall no. SC196)
Units affected
28,200 (estimate)
Problem
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.
Recall summaries are written by NHTSA from manufacturers' defect reports. Dates are when NHTSA received the report.
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2021 Kia Stinger fuel economy by version
EPA city/highway/combined estimates for each engine, transmission and drive combination. Annual fuel cost is EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year (55% city, 45% highway) at EPA's current fuel-price assumptions; your cost will vary.
Source: FuelEconomy.gov (U.S. DOE and EPA), file dated Sep 29, 2026. Each version links to its FuelEconomy.gov record.
EPA estimates come from standardized lab tests so cars can be compared fairly; real-world mileage depends on speed, weather, load, tires and driving style.
2021 Kia Stinger crash-test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the tested versions. More stars mean a lower chance of serious injury in that type of crash. Rollover risk is NHTSA's estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
2021 Kia Stinger NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings
Tested vehicle
Overall
Frontal
Side
Rollover
Rollover risk
Forward collision warning
2021 Kia Stinger 4 DR AWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
5 stars
8.7%
Optional
2021 Kia Stinger 4 DR RWD
5 stars
4 stars
5 stars
5 stars
8.7%
Optional
Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program), checked Oct 26, 2026.
Star ratings compare vehicles of similar size and weight; a frontal rating for a large pickup is not directly comparable with one for a small car.
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2021 Kia Stinger owner complaints
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about the 2021 Kia Stinger, most recently on Jun 17, 2026. 1 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injured people and 0 deaths. These are unverified reports; a complaint is not proof of a defect.
Most-cited components in 2021 Kia Stinger complaints
Component named in complaints
Mentions
Unknown or other
5
Engine
4
Service brakes
4
Fuel/propulsion system
3
Electrical system
1
Electrical system: Instrument cluster/panel
1
Fuel system, gasoline
1
Power train
1
Service brakes, air: Disc: Rotor
1
Service brakes, hydraulic
1
Source: NHTSA consumer complaint files (complaints received since January 1, 2015). One complaint can name several components.
