Model year guide

2021 Kia stinger

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2021 Kia stinger is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 7 on record.

2021 Kia stinger — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2021 Kia stinger at a glance

Safety recalls5
Owner complaints17
Overall safety5 / 5 ★
Combined20–25 mpg

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2021 Kia stinger recalls 5

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/supercharger:hoses/plumbing NHTSA Campaign #24V169000 · manufacturer #SC300 · 01/03/2024

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #23V634000 · manufacturer #SC281 · 13/09/2023

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.

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.

Electrical System:instrument Panel:fuel Gauge NHTSA Campaign #21V862000 · manufacturer #SC219 · 05/11/2021

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.

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #20V560000 · manufacturer #SC198 · 16/09/2020

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.

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/traction Control/electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/module NHTSA Campaign #20V518000 · manufacturer #SC196 · 27/08/2020

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.

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 servic…

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2021 Kia stinger common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2021 Kia stinger safety ratings

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Frontal — driver★★★★★
Frontal — passenger★★★★★
Side — front seat★★★★★
Side — rear seat★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★

Rollover risk: 8.7% — NHTSA's estimated chance of rollover in a single-vehicle crash (dynamic test: no tip).

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2021 Kia Stinger 4 DR RWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2021 Kia stinger MPG & running costs

Combined20–25 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway27 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,725
EPA size classMidsize Cars
TransmissionAutomatic (S8)
Forced inductionTurbocharged
Engine start-stopYes
Passenger volume95 cu ft
Cargo volume23 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$6,625 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 4 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2021 Kia stinger costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,625
Fuel only$18,625
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
190.2 in
Width
73.6 in
Height
55.1 in
Wheelbase
114.6 in
Curb weight
4,129 lb
Front track
63.0 in
Rear track
64.6 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2021 Kia stinger. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 45

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 45.

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE USING UPDATE.KIA.COM - This bulletin provides information and service procedures for updating the infotainment systems on applicable Kia vehicles using the Kia Navigation Updater available at upda…

Bulletin TSB_ELE422 · Electrical System · May 2026

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: INFOTAINMENT SOFTWARE UPDATE PROCEDURE - This bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing USB for installation on applicable Kia vehicles. The software downloads and USB p…

Bulletin TSB_ELE417 · Electrical System · Apr 2026

PITSTOP: TECHNICAL OPERATIONS: EXTERNAL DAMAGE TO ULTRASONIC SENSOR: This Pitstop provides information related to Parking Distance Warning (PDW) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. The PDW system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating dis…

Bulletin PS797 · Back Over Prevention · Dec 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: SUBSEQUENT REPAIR ACTION: HIGH-PRESSURE FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT INSTRUCTIONS FOR DTC P0088 (SC281Y) - This bulletin provides information related to the Technical Service Bulletin previously published under SC281 titled “High-Pressure…

Bulletin SC281Y_TSB · Fuel/propulsion System · Oct 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: TRANSMISSION FLUID APPLICATION GUIDE - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides information relat…

Bulletin TSB_TRA046_R5 · Power Train · Apr 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…

Bulletin TSB_ENG222_R8 · Engine · Apr 2025

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION NU/GAMMA/THETA/KAPPA ENGINES - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides…

Bulletin TSB_ENG222_R7 · Engine · Feb 2025

This bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid type and fill quantity requirement for each Kia model. A flush is required ONLY when a transmission is replaced.

Bulletin TSB_TRA046_R4 · Power Train · May 2024

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN: AVN 5.0 WIDE NON-RESPONSIVE RADIO ICON (AM, FM, SXM) - This bulletin has been revised to include additional information. New/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. This bulletin provides i…

Bulletin TSB_ELE303_R2 · Electrical System · Feb 2024

VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN: OWNER NOTIFICATION - This document is the owner notification advising that Kia is conducting a Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign on certain 2018-2021 MY Kia Stinger vehicles equipped with 2.0L Turbo GDI engines manufact…

Bulletin SC279_OWNR · Engine And Engine Cooling, Fuel System, Gasoline, Electrical System · Dec 2023

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the STINGER AWD. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

Canadian recalls 3

Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia stinger. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, Canada.

Engine

Issue: On certain vehicles, the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly could become damaged by heat from the exhaust. If this happens, oil could leak onto hot components. Note: This recall only affects vehicles equipped with a 3.3 L turbo (T-GDI) engine. Safety Risk: Oil that leaks onto hot components can create the risk of a fire. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify…

Transport Canada #2024146 · Mar 2024

Fuel System

Issue: On a small number of vehicles, the fuel gauge may display a higher fuel level than what is actually present in the fuel tank. This could cause a driver to believe there is fuel when the tank is empty. As a result, the vehicle could run out of fuel and stall. Safety Risk: A sudden loss of engine power could increase the risk of a crash. Corrective Actions: Kia will notify…

Transport Canada #2021683 · Nov 2021

Brakes

Issue: On certain cars equipped with a 3.3 L T-GDI engine, an engine compartment fire could occur while driving. Kia believes that a fire could start in or near the brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU). Note: This recall does not affect vehicles equipped with Smart Cruise Control (SCC). Safety Risk: The car could catch fire while driving. Corrective Actions: Kia will…

Transport Canada #2020404 · Aug 2020

Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.

About the Kia stinger

The Kia Stinger is a mid-size liftback/fastback manufactured by Kia between 2017 and 2023.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2021 Kia stinger trims & engines on record

Trims
GT2
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl 365 hp

2021 Kia stinger vehicles on record

Other Kia stinger model years

2021 Kia stinger — frequently asked questions

Does the 2021 Kia stinger have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists 5 recall campaigns for the 2021 Kia stinger. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2021 Kia stinger?

Across all 17 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are service brakes, engine, fuel/propulsion system.

What is the 2021 Kia stinger safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2021 Kia stinger an overall crash-test rating of 5 out of 5 stars (frontal 4★, side 5★, rollover 5★).

What gas mileage does the 2021 Kia stinger get?

The 2021 Kia stinger has U.S. EPA estimates of 20–25 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (4 versions).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.