SC204_OWNR: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the notification to 2018 MY Stinger owners advising them that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and replace the supplemental brake vacuum pump's rotor and vane in certain 2018 MY Stinger vehicles, produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2018 Kia Stinger brakes problems
severe 9 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
9
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 9 brakes complaints filed for the 2018 Kia Stinger, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 6 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering brakes on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
SC204_DP: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and replace the supplemental brake vacuum pump's rotor and vane in certain 2018 MY Stinger vehicles, produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SC204_DPSM: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia Motors America, Inc. is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign to inspect and replace the supplemental brake vacuum pump's rotor and vane in certain 2018 MY Stinger vehicles, produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SC204_QA: QUESTION AND ANSWER - This document is the Question and Answer guide containing the most frequently asked questions regarding the Voluntary Emissions Campaign (SC204).
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUPPLEMENTAL VACUUM PUMP INSPECTION AND REPAIR (SC204) - This bulletin provides the procedure to inspect and replace the rotor and vane in the supplemental brake vacuum pump on some 2018MY Stinger (CK) vehicles produced from September 21, 2017 through April 24, 2018. When the engine has not reached the normal operating temperature, particularly right after being turned on after being parked overnight, repeatedly and quickly applying the brakes can damage the rotor in the supplemental brake vacuum pump.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle shakes when applying the breaks at speeds above 40mph. This has been going on since the car had about 10k miles.
Car has no brakes when initially starting it and backing out of my driveway. The brake pedal is so hard that I am unable to depress it. After a few seconds, the brake pedal behaves normally. This problem has resulted in me rolling out into the road more than once. I have had the car into the dealership to be analyzed and fixed three times. One time they replaced a vacuum line and the other…
Had brakes trouble with your 2018 Kia Stinger?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the brakes problem on the 2018 Kia Stinger?
It's a meaningful issue. 9 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $450.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 30,600 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $450 for brakes repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to brakes?
No active recalls currently cover brakes issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2018/Kia/Stinger.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.