Kia Stinger Years to Avoid — Worst & Best Years to Buy
Every Kia Stinger model year (2018–2026) ranked by recall count, complaint volume, injuries, and deaths. Data sourced directly from NHTSA.
Kia Stinger Years to Avoid
4 recalls · 64 complaints
2 reported injuries
1 reported death
Top issue: ENGINE
Problem score: 85
3 recalls · 39 complaints
Top issue: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Problem score: 48
6 recalls · 14 complaints
Top issue: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Problem score: 32
Best Kia Stinger Years to Buy
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
0 recalls · 0 complaints
Main area: No significant complaints
Problem score: 0
Found the right year? Verify that specific Stinger with a free VIN report.
Kia Stinger — Year-by-Year Problem Report
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Problem Score | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2025 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Excellent |
| 2023 | 1 | 5 | 8 | Excellent |
| 2022 | 1 | 12 | 15 | Good |
| 2021 | 5 | 16 | 31 | Caution |
| 2020 | 6 | 14 | 32 | Caution |
| 2019 | 3 | 39 | 48 | Caution |
| 2018 | 4 | 64 | 85 | Avoid |
Higher scores indicate more reported safety issues across recalls, complaints, and injury data.
Kia Stinger Shopping Guide by Era
2018–Present
Best: 2026Recent Stinger models benefit from updated safety systems and revised engineering. Lower problem scores typically appear in this era. 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 4 recalls, 64 owner complaints, and the most common complaint category is ENGINE. The overall problem score is 85 — the highest in our dataset.
What is the best year Stinger to buy?+
The 2024 Kia Stinger is the lowest-risk year in our analysis, with a problem score of 0. It has only 0 recalls and 0 complaints on record with NHTSA.
Which Stinger has the fewest problems?+
The 2024, 2025, 2026 model years have the fewest documented problems across recall and complaint databases. 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.
Run a Free VIN Report →