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ProblemsByVin File / 2021-KIA-STINGER NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2021 · Kia

Kia Stinger problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 16 owner complaints and 4 active recall campaigns. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
7.8 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
4
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2021 Stinger?
Acceptable — with caveats

Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 2 categories with 3+ complaints

brakes
3 reports · fails ~25,000 mi · avg $450
moderate
engine
3 reports · fails ~1,200 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2021 Stinger's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2021 Stinger?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2021 Stinger · powertrain Crash
My transmission/engine and brake system failed. I was slowing down to probably 5 mph to make a right hand turn into my driveway from the street when the engine started racing. I heard a loud whine and the car started to speed up. I jammed my foot onto the brake to slow down but…
12/09/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11496826.0
2021 Stinger · fuel system
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his nearby residence.…
11/21/2023 · NHTSA ODI #11556241.0
2021 Stinger · visibility
I was driving on hwy 73 when I heard a sound like a shotgun went off. Glass started falling in the car and on me as the sunroof had shattered. There was no other vehicle in the area and the sunroof was closed.
10/10/2022 · NHTSA ODI #11488712.0
2021 Stinger · engine
Since April I have been having the same issue. Sometimes when I am stopped and the autostop is supposed to shut down the engine, the engine just sputters and if I hit the gas nothing happens. I have to put the car in park and shut it down then restart it. I try to shut the auto…
View all 16 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2021 Kia Stinger? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

0 mi 200k mi
At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 3 of 4

severe NHTSA 20V518000 August 27, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3

An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 20V560000 September 16, 2020

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles

Insufficient fuel supply to the engine can result in a loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
severe NHTSA 23V634000 September 13, 2023

Kia America, Inc

A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.
View all 4 recalls →

Common questions

Is the 2021 Kia Stinger reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 7.8 out of 10 based on 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2021 Kia Stinger is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2021 Kia Stinger?

The 2021 Kia Stinger is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 7.8/10 — above the segment average; 4 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2021 Kia Stinger?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is brakes, with 3 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 25,000 miles. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The brakes is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $450 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 25,000 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Kia Stinger has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2021 Kia Stinger?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 16 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $450, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2021/Kia/Stinger. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Kia. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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