Of the 9 electrical complaints filed for the 2018 Kia Stinger,
here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
1 (100%)
25-50k
0 (0%)
50-75k
0 (0%)
75-100k
0 (0%)
100-125k
0 (0%)
125-150k
0 (0%)
150k+
0 (0%)
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
Of the 4 model years of Kia Stinger we track for electrical problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 9.
No new NHTSA electrical complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 7 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles
The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering electrical 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.
Service BulletinTSB_ELE417Apr 2026
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB preparation process is similar across all supported platforms; however, in‑vehicle installation procedures vary by head unit type.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: THETA 2.0L T-GDI ECM SOFTWARE LOGIC IMPROVEMENT (SC279) - This bulletin provides information to upgrade the software logic of the engine control module (ECM) with an improved version on 2018-2021MY Stinger (CK) vehicles equipped with a Theta 2.0L T-GDI ULEV engine manufactured from September 29, 2017 through January 20, 2021. The subject vehicles may have engine calibrations that were not optimized for emissions standards under certain specific conditions, which may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants which exceed Federal and California standards (such as NMOG (Non-Methane Organic Gas) and CO (Carbon Monoxide) during IUVP (In-Use Verification Pro
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PRINCIPAL MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer principals that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards.
VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: DEALER PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGER MEMO - This document is the announcement to the dealer Parts and Service Managers that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufactured from September 29, 2017 to January 20, 2021 to improve the emissions logic in the Electronic Control Module (ECM) to ensure compliance with emissions regulations. This condition may cause the vehicle to release air pollutants that exceed Federal and California standards.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting
3 most recent
electrical · 17,500 mi
· filed 12/28/2018
Vehicle was in park with the engine not running. Came out of big deal convenient store located on rte 9 chesterfield, nh to find smoke coming out of the engine compartment. Called 911 and used a store fire extinguisher to try to put out the flames. Waited for the fire dept to arrive, they put the engine compartment fire out.
electrical
· filed 11/15/2025
related malfunction on my 2018 Kia Stinger. My hazard lights are activating on their own, changing flash speeds, and failing to turn off at times. This creates a safety concern while driving.
electrical
· filed 10/14/2019
An injury has not occurred. The dealer did not seek to resolve the recall issue. Kia motors has decided that a defect which relates to motor vehicle safety exist in certain 2018 stinger vehicles manufactured from july 20, 2017 through june 8, 2018. The defect may cause damage to the front wiring harness which can result in an electrical short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire. The…
Had electrical 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 electrical 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 $850.
At what mileage does the electrical typically fail?
Based on the 9 complaints filed, electrical issues most often appear around 21,300 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 $850 for electrical 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 electrical?
Yes — 1 active recall(s) cover electrical issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.
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.