Kia Stinger Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Kia Stinger model year (2018–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, deaths, and injuries. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Kia Stinger Years to Avoid
3 recalls · 43 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 52
2 recalls · 29 complaints
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 35
5 recalls · 19 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 34
Best Kia Stinger Years to Buy
1 recall · 3 complaints
Main area: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 6
1 recall · 11 complaints
Main area: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Problem score: 14
4 recalls · 14 complaints
Main area: ENGINE
Problem score: 26
Found the right year? Verify that specific Stinger with a free VIN report.
Kia Stinger — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Deaths | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 3 | — | — | 6 | Good |
| 2022 | 1 | 11 | — | — | 14 | Good |
| 2021 | 4 | 14 | — | — | 26 | Caution |
| 2020 | 5 | 19 | — | — | 34 | Avoid |
| 2019 | 2 | 29 | — | — | 35 | Avoid |
| 2018 | 3 | 43 | — | — | 52 | Avoid |
All 9 model years shown. Deaths and injuries from NHTSA complaint filings. Higher problem scores indicate more reported safety issues.
Kia Stinger Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Stinger models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. The 2026 stands out with just 0 problem points. Always request a pre-purchase inspection and VIN history report.
Frequently Asked Questions
What year Stinger should I avoid?+
Avoid the 2018 Kia Stinger if possible. It has 3 recalls, 43 owner complaints. The overall problem score is 52 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Stinger to buy?+
The 2023 Kia Stinger is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 6. It has only 1 recall and 3 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Stinger has the fewest problems?+
The 2023, 2022, 2021 model years have the fewest documented problems. Even for low-problem years, verifying a specific vehicle's history via its VIN is always recommended before purchase.
More Kia Stinger Research
Check a Specific Kia Stinger VIN
Model-year rankings show statistical risk. A VIN-specific report reveals the individual vehicle's full history — accidents, odometer rollbacks, auction records, and open recall status.
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