Avoid: 2018 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2023
6 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 6 model years, the Kia Stinger has 168 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 20 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are engine and electrical system. 2018 drew the most complaints (68), 2023 the fewest (5).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Kia Stinger vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $23,295–$29,995.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
Highest: 2018 (68 complaints). Lowest: 2023 (5).
Mixed to positive sentiment, with a clear distinction between engine variants. The 3.3L twin-turbo V6 (TT) models are widely praised for their strong acceleration, smooth power delivery, and compelling value proposition as a sporty, practical liftback.
Very small rear window, thick C-pillars creating significant blind spots.
Slow to respond to manual shift inputs, computer forces upshifts, downshifts take too long.
Significant delay in power delivery, sluggish acceleration from a stop.
Air conditioning system rattles at certain fan speeds, trunk rattles (though an owner-provided fix exists).
Particularly for younger drivers, cited as prohibitively expensive.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Stinger. Individual model years are broken down above.
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