PITSTOP - BRAKE CALIPER LEAK INSPECTION - This PITSTOP provides information related to a brake caliper fluid/oil substance found on some Kia vehicles, due to possible excess assembly oil applied during assembly.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2019 Kia Stinger brakes problems
moderate 10 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $450 · see brakes across all vehicles →
Complaints
10
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$450
What stands out
Brakes accounts for 24% of all owner complaints filed against this vehicle, across 4 categories tracked.
No new NHTSA brakes complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 5 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.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report two distinct brake problems in the 2019 Stinger. First, front rotors warp from new, causing a shaking or wobbling sensation in the steering wheel and front end during braking, especially after the engine warms up. The vibration can be felt even without braking in some cases. One owner reported the issue at 16,200 miles; another noticed it at 6,000 miles. A dealer told one owner that rotor warping would not be covered under warranty.
Second, several owners describe the brake pedal as mushy or requiring excessive effort to achieve adequate stopping power. One owner, shortly after purchase, had to press the brake pedal as hard as possible at moderate speed and relied on the vehicle's forward collision warning system to avoid a rear-end crash. Another owner states the issue is noticeable during constant city driving and requires more brake effort than other cars he has driven.
Kia issued NHTSA recall 20V518000 for hydraulic service brakes. Multiple owners reported that recall parts were unavailable at dealers for extended periods, preventing them from having the repair completed.
Failure modes owners describe
Front rotor warping and brake vibration
Front rotors warp from new, causing steering wheel and front-end shaking during braking after the car warms up. Vibration occurs even without braking in some cases and is described as a wobble or shutter feeling. Owners report the issue from the time of purchase or within the first few thousand miles.
When: Early in ownership; one owner reported 16,200 miles and months of issue history; another at 6,000 miles after purchase
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel shaking during braking; Front-end vibration or shuddering when braking; Vibration felt even during light driving without braking; Symptoms more pronounced after 10-15 minutes of driving (warm brakes); No symptoms when car is cold
Repairs/costs cited: One owner replaced front rotors and pads themselves on 5/21/22; dealer stated warping would not be covered under warranty
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V518000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued; however, remedy parts were unavailable at multiple dealers for extended periods, causing significant delays in recall completion
Brake pedal response and stopping power inadequacy
Brake pedal feels soft or mushy with insufficient stopping force relative to pedal effort. Owners report needing to press harder than expected to achieve adequate deceleration. One owner experienced a near-collision when maximum braking effort at moderate speed did not produce expected stopping distance.
When: From purchase; one incident reported April 28 on newly purchased vehicle
Symptoms owners cite: Mushy or soft brake pedal feel; Excessive pedal effort required for moderate braking; Longer stopping distances than expected for effort applied; Problem evident during routine city driving and moderate-speed braking
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign 20V518000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) issued for this component
Synthesized from 10 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
Tl* the contact owns a 2019 Kia stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20v518000 (service brakes, hydraulic) informing her to contact the local dealer to schedule an appointment for the recall repair. Joe myers Kia (16484 northwest fwy, houston, tx 77040, (713) 587-9940) was contacted by phone. The contact was informed that the remedy part was not yet available. The…
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…
The contact owns a 2019 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign number: 20V518000 (Service Brakes, Hydraulic) however, the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was contacted and confirmed that the part was not available. The manufacturer was…
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.
Had brakes trouble with your 2019 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 2019 Kia Stinger?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 10 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $450 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the brakes typically fail?
Based on the 10 complaints filed, brakes issues most often appear around 1,380 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/2019/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.