2020 KIA Stinger

Recalls, Specs & Safety Report

Expert Verdict
⚠️Elevated Concerns

This 2020 model shows concerning reliability, primarily driven by 6 recalls—above the KIA average—centered on the fuel system, gasoline.

Key Factor:elevated fuel system, gasoline issues

📋Why This Matters

Powertrain issues affect both daily reliability and long-term ownership costs. Unexpected stalling creates inconvenience at best and safety hazards at worst.

Insurance companies review vehicle reliability data when setting premiums. Models with elevated recall rates often see adjusted pricing.

Given this model year's elevated concern level, budget for a thorough pre-purchase inspection.

Focus Area:powertrain reliability
📊

Expert Analysis

The 2020 Stinger analysis highlights key safety metrics.

Safety & Reliability Score

41/100

Score Breakdown

Recall Impact-48
Complaint Impact-0.6
Investigation Impact-10

Technical Specifications

Key specifications for the 2020 KIA Stinger

Model Year2020
MakeKIA
ModelStinger
Fuel TypeGasoline
Body ClassPassenger Vehicle

Safety History Timeline

Scroll for more →
Jan20
NEWProduction
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jan20
RECALLRecall Issued
Jul20
ISSUEFirst Report
May21
RECALLRecall Issued
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Apr23
INVInvestigation Opened
Jan24
RECALLRecall Issued

Consumer Complaint Analysis

⚠️

Most Reported Issue

3 complaints (25% of total)
➡️

Complaint Trend

Stable
No trend data

Safety Incidents

No critical incidents

Complaint Severity Distribution

Breakdown of 12 consumer complaints by severity level.

🟠High
1(8%)
🟡Medium
5(42%)
🟢Low
6(50%)

Mileage Failure Analysis

⚙️Engineering Insight

Based on consumer reports, issues for this vehicle tend to peak around the 40k-60k mileage range. The average reported failure mileage is 44,091 miles.

📊 Mileage data extracted from 3 of 12 complaints (25% coverage)
0-20k
1 reports (33%)
20k-40k
0 reports (0%)
40k-60k
2 reports (67%)
60k-80k
0 reports (0%)
80k-100k
0 reports (0%)
100k+
0 reports (0%)
* Analysis based on mileage data extracted from consumer complaint descriptions. Actual failure rates may vary.

🛠️ DIY Diagnosis Center

Experiencing an issue? Select a symptom to find official manufacturer solutions (TSBs).

Primary Risk Areas

ELECTRICAL SYSTEMSTEERINGFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINESERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Official Safety Recalls (6)

Campaign: 21V862000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 20V422000

STEERING

Summary

Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Turbo-GDI engine. A component within the Rack Mounted Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS) Assembly may have been manufactured incorrectly, possibly resulting in the steering locking or becoming difficult while driving.

Consequence

A loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Kia will notify owners, and dealers will replace the MDPS Assembly, free of charge. The recall began August 28, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC193.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 20V560000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 20V518000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:CONTROL UNIT/MODULE

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia Motors America

Campaign: 23V634000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

Campaign: 24V169000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE:TURBO/SUPERCHARGER:HOSES/PLUMBING

Summary

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.

Consequence

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.

Additional Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

Manufacturer: Kia America, Inc.

NHTSA Investigations

2 investigations

Official NHTSA safety investigations for 2020 Stinger.

INV-2020-1000🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Stinger performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 16,990
INV-2020-1001🟢 Closed

NHTSA opened investigation after receiving consumer complaints regarding Stinger performance issues.

Opened: Affected Units: 48,390

Consumer Complaints

12 total complaints

Consumer-reported issues submitted to NHTSA for 2020 Stinger.

Common Reported SymptomsAI Analysis

Check Engine Light25%
Acceleration Issues25%
Stall25%
Warning17%
Hesitate17%
Fire8%
Injury8%
Jerk8%
Rattle8%
Smoke8%
Steering/Suspension🔵 Low
STEERING,SUSPENSION

I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

My car shut off while driving down the road, it would not restart, there were no warning lights or check engine lights on. I had it towed to a repair shop and they replaced the fuel pump. Later I found out the fuel pump was recalled for the car and submitted the work receipt for reimbursement on 12/18/2024. I was never notified of the recall to have it replaced. It has been 11 weeks today and I have not been reimbursed for the $1100 I paid to have the fuel pump replaced. I could have been severely injured when my car engine shut down while driving.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 24V169000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled several times for recall repair. The contact stated that upon taken the vehicle to the dealer, the dealer advised the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a second dealer, Clay Cooley (1247 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062), where the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING,ENGINE

The vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. I'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. All electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if I've shut the car off to get out. Usually, I'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely difficult to replicate. A person's safety is definitely in question considering if the car shuts off while driving, it could lock the steering wheel as a few others have seen. The only symptom that I have experienced is the music from the radio goes weird prior to the car shutting down.

Engine/Powertrain🔵 Low
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,SERVICE BRAKES,ENGINE

I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. Not to mention something similar happened November 18, 2023 where I was driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Kia dealership On Covington Pike in Memphis, TN (the location on Mt Moriah informed me that if I took it to to their location, I would be charged $175 plus tax for them to run diagnostic on it, and it would be best to take it to the location that I purchased the car from—THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE & ridiculous!!!) and all they did was replace the high pressure fuel pump. They did not hook my car up to do a diagnostic, they just went off of the code reader my friend had. The code showed P0088- fuel rail/system pressure- too high. Nothing else was checked to see if it was defective. That particular kia rep told me that there wasn’t anything they could do unless there was a check engine light lit up on the dash. Now fast forward to today, a similar situation happened, but luckily my car was able to start back up. I’ve been waiting on them to perform 1 of the recalls for over 3years now and it’s always the same story, they don’t have the part, they would have to get that ordered & contact me when it comes in & when it comes in, they don’t contact me!! I really want to know what’s going on with my car for it to still be fairly new and to have these issues when I keep the maintenance up. I can’t afford to be stranded or put myself or the lives of other motorists on the road in danger because my vehicle will randomly lose power out of nowhere. That’s unacceptable and dangerous!

Electrical⚠️ High
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

1st safety related incident discovered December 27th, 2021, rear window defroster stopped working. Checked rear fuse block as the owner's manual had listed that the fuse would be located there. Visual observation of fuse block showed rear heater fuse had blown and the area around the fuse discolored and melted. Remedy was dealership replacing rear fuse block and given back with no explanation why the fuse heated up to cause fuse and fuse block to start to melt. 2nd same safety related incident discovered June 18th, 2023, when checking rear fuse block to see if the previous repair fixed the possible electrical fire related concern. It was noticed again that the same fuse had similar discoloration and plastic melting around the fuse. Fuse was removed and alternate dealership contacted about this concern. Vehicle was left at dealership on July 28th, 2023 and loaner vehicle was given to use until remedy could be completed. As of October 14th, 2023 this vehicle is still at the dealership with no remedy or cause determined why the rear fuse block has started melting again after being replaced the first time. Pictures of the fuses and the melted fuse block have been secured by this writer. Neither the fuse blocks nor the fuses are in my possession. Current miles on the vehicle is 47,922. This unsafe condition has the potential to cause a fire and could either cause serious physical injury and or death.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ENGINE

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the spark plugs from the dealer but had an independent mechanic perform the repair. Despite the repair, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was notified that both the spark plugs, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 20V560000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the recall but was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 59,272.

Brakes🔵 Low
SERVICE BRAKES

Dealer said it is a known issue, but the brakes leave deposit on rotors and cause severe shaking while slowing down. Rattles entire car and steering wheel violently. Had this issue first at 5k miles, now at 18k miles and it is back. The dealer turned the rotors for me under warranty at 5k, but now are telling me I need to purchase my own aftermarket pads and rotors because they won't cover it. Pads have plenty of meat left, just has a nasty "warble" under braking.

Engine/Powertrain🔶 Medium
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Dealer stated that the GDI pump has failed and that is not a common issue. My car started shuddering as I was driving in the interstate I5 north at 70mph, then the car stalled in the middle of the freeway, gas pedal was useless, if it was not because my speed was 70mph and the force of the speed keep my car moving for a little I would probably be hit by a truck putting my life and others at risk. Car was towed back to the dealer, very strong smell of gas and smoke was coming from underneath it, engine lights came on after it stalled a second time while parked on the side of the road. Only signs noticed was the shuddering one day prior to this incident but car did not stall and I thought It was because it needed oil change, other was hesitation to start while cold, after a second attempt it would start without problem. all those signs were not long lasting nor repetitive (shuddering happened only ones prior the day of the incident and ones seconds before the incident).

Other🔶 Medium
UNKNOWN OR OTHER

moving forward into parking space with my foot on the brake car accelerated and smashed into a tree.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any recalls for the 2020 KIA Stinger?

Yes, the 2020 KIA Stinger has 6 recorded recalls from NHTSA. These recalls cover various components including ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE, STEERING, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP.

Is the 2020 KIA Stinger safe to drive?

The 2020 KIA Stinger has 6 recalls. If you own this vehicle, check with your dealer to ensure all recall repairs have been completed. Most recalls have free remedies available.

Where can I check if my 2020 KIA Stinger has open recalls?

You can check for open recalls by visiting NHTSA.gov and entering your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or by contacting your local KIA dealer.

🎯Risk Areas & Recommended Actions

Based on recall data, these components require verification:

1

Fuel system, gasoline

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm fuel system, gasoline recalls are complete. Recall repairs are always free.

🔍

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all fuel system, gasoline recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaigns:20V56000023V634000
2

Electrical system

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm electrical system recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

🔍

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all electrical system recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:21V862000
3

Steering

Issue: increases crash or loss-of-control risk

If you already own this vehicle: Contact your dealer immediately to confirm steering recall is complete. Recall repairs are always free.

🔍

If you are evaluating a used example: Request VIN and verify all steering recalls are completed before purchase.

Campaign:20V422000
💡Visit NHTSA.gov or contact your KIA dealer to verify recall completion status.

🧭What This Means for You

This information is especially relevant for drivers who rely on stop-and-go traffic or frequently use auto start-stop systems.

If you're unsure, we recommend starting with a VIN check or consulting a certified mechanic.

🔑

If You Own This Vehicle

  • Verify all 6 recalls have been completed using your VIN at NHTSA.gov or through your KIA dealer.
  • If any recalls are open, schedule service immediately—recall repairs are always free.
  • Consider setting up VIN-specific alerts to receive notification of future recalls.
🛒

If You're Buying Used

  • Request full service history and documentation of all recall completions.
  • Consider whether adjacent model years (2019 or 2021) show better safety metrics.
  • Budget for thorough pre-purchase inspection focusing on known problem areas.

This page is designed to help you decide, not alarm you.

Compare with Similar Vehicles

Data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Last updated: January 10, 2026.