2018 Kia Stinger: fuel pump failure

Filed Nov 2, 2026 · Fuel system · MO

Vehicle Safety Complaint – 2018 Kia Stinger 3.3L Twin-Turbo I am filing a safety complaint regarding my 2018 Kia Stinger 3.3L twin-turbo due to a suspected failure involving the high-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pipe. While driving, my vehicle began hesitating and sputtering while stopped at a traffic light. The vehicle subsequently became unable to start. The engine cranks but will not remain running. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility for diagnosis. The mechanic tested the vehicle by manually supplying fuel, and the engine started but only ran for a few seconds before shutting off. The mechanic suspects a failure involving the high-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pipe. I am concerned about the safety implications of this failure because the vehicle experienced hesitation and sputtering while operating in traffic. A fuel-system failure that causes an engine to lose power or shut off unexpectedly could create a dangerous situation for the driver and other motorists. I contacted Kia Customer Care and provided my VIN. Kia informed me that there were no open recalls applicable to my vehicle and declined goodwill assistance. I am requesting that the federal safety agency document this complaint and review whether the high-pressure fuel pump and fuel pipe failures in 2018 Kia Stinger 3.3L models warrant further investigation or a safety recall. Vehicle: 2018 Kia Stinger 3.3L Twin-Turbo VIN: [XXX] Reported symptoms: Hesitation, sputtering, crank-no-start condition, and engine shutting off shortly after starting. Suspected components: High-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pipe. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Oct 22, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · NJ

the federal safety agency Vehicle Safety Complaint Statement Vehicle: 2018 Kia Stinger Premium 2.0L Turbo VIN: [XXX] Component: Fuel System, Gasoline: Delivery: High Pressure Pump [1, 5] Recall Campaign Reference: 2023 Kia High-Pressure Fuel Pump Safety Recall [5] 1. Failure of Initial Recall Remedy & Active Safety Hazard This vehicle was subject to the 2023 Kia High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) Safety Recall due to a known manufacturer defect that causes fuel pressure drops, stalling, and loss of motive power on the highway. I originally presented the vehicle to an authorized dealership (Kia Cherry Hill) for execution of this critical safety recall. Instead of physically replacing the defective mechanical pump as required by federal safety guidelines, the dealership only performed a corporate software update and released the vehicle back into commerce with the defective hardware still active. This failure to execute the physical remedy allowed a known, high-risk safety hazard to remain completely unmitigated in the vehicle. 2. Recurrence of Failure and Catastrophic Incidents The unreplaced defective safety component inevitably failed, causing the vehicle to suffer severe pressure drops and repeatedly drop into an emergency "constant limp mode" while driving. The vehicle was brought to Turnersville Kia (Sicklerville, NJ) to finally address the failed component. Turnersville Kia replaced the high-pressure fuel pump and its related high-pressure pipe (Invoice #[XXX]). However, exactly 76 miles after picking the vehicle up, while traveling on a public roadway, the vehicle suffered an immediate, catastrophic structural engine blowout (severe rod bearing failure and turbocharger meltdown) [5, 5]. The vehicle immediately lost all motive power, creating a severe, sudden highway safety hazard. 3. Technical Negligence & Post-Repair Safety Failure The high-pressure fuel pump sits directly atop the cylinder head and is driven mechanically by an engine camshaft lobe. The line op INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

Filed Jul 18, 2026 · Fuel system · NJ

My vehicle is exhibiting a loss of drive power, particularly uphill, with a diagnostic code of P0088 (Fuel Rail/System Pressure Too High). This is the same defect addressed by recall campaign 23V634000 (Kia SC281), covering the high-pressure fuel pump / fuel control valve plunger on 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. I had the SC281 recall repair completed on this vehicle on Novermber 16th 2024. I am now experiencing the same symptom and code the recall was meant to fix, indicating the repair did not resolve the defect. The original repair only updated the software but did not replace the fuel pump. The dealer, Jack Daniels Kia in NJ, has quoted me a $250 diagnostic fee before proceeding further. Under the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (49 U.S.C. § 30120), once a safety recall has been issued, the manufacturer is required to remedy the defect, including diagnosis tied to that defect, free of charge to the owner. This applies whether the issue is addressed as a continuation of SC281, a revised action (I was told a repair labeled "SC281Y" applies, though it does not currently appear in the dealer's system under my VIN), or simply as a recurrence of the same defect after an incomplete repair. The SC281Y memo from Kia is PROOF that Kia knows the original SC281 fix did NOT resolve the defect for my car. This is a dangerous situation that KIA MUST resolve. I am requesting that Kia: 1. Confirm my VIN against campaign 23V634000 and clarify the status of any SC281Y follow-up action. 2. Investigate why the original SC281 repair did not resolve the defect. 3. Waive the $250 diagnostic fee, as it is tied to a defect already covered under an open federal safety recall. 4. Perform any necessary repair at no cost to me.

Filed Sep 8, 2025 · Fuel system · 115,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle hesitated and jerked abnormally while accelerating. The check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic, who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the high-pressure fuel pump was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact was informed of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V634000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). The contact was informed that parts were not yet available. The failure mileage was 115,000.

Filed Jul 24, 2025 · Fuel system · HI

Fuel pump recall came back but Kia wouldn’t take it back without the recall being open

Filed Jul 17, 2025 · Engine · CA

I have a check engine light related to the high pressure fuel pump. Because i brought the car in for the recall before the code appeared for the high pressure fuel pump, Kia claims the recall is complete and will not perform the related recall repairs. I also have since developed a engine code related to the catalytic converter which i am told by a separate mechanic that this can be caused by the high pressure fuel pump error. All in the repair estimate is $8,006.26, not including the $235 for Kia to give me this information without fixing anything.

Filed May 16, 2025 · Brakes, Engine · 99,000 miles · GA

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that occasionally while starting the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start immediately. The contact stated that oil was leaking from the vehicle during each failure. The contact stated that while attempting to accelerate from a light, at 5 MPH the vehicle lost automotive power, with the check engine and ABS warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed, and the contact was informed that the fuel pump and vacuum pump were faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Jul 26, 2024 · Fuel system · VA

Casey Kia located in Newport News Virginia continues to delay the replacement of my fuel pump. I was told it was replaced but 2 weeks later I was having the same issue to the point where my car was decelerating on the interstate. After I took it back in for them to repair it I was told they would look into it. I received a call saying the fuel pump was never replaced and the only thing that had been done originally was a software update, so basically I was lied to and put in a very dangerous situation because a fire could've been caused while driving. They also said they were waiting for approval for the recall before they repaired it. Had I known it wasn't repair I wouldn't have driven the car. I was supposed to pick my car up on 07/26 but I was told they ordered the wrong part and it would be available to them on 07/29.

Filed Mar 21, 2024 · Electrical, Engine · GA

*Notice* There has been NO ACCIDENT but it could potentially be a fatal one. When performing the auto start up process the car's RPM increases rapidly, the engine makes a sputtering sound as if the car will crank or that there is a misfire and shuts down. This results in the check engine light coming on the instrument panel and error code P0172: Replace High Pressure Fuel Pump.

Filed Feb 13, 2024 · Engine, Fuel system · CA

On 11/13/2020 my car had 26,942 miles. I experienced my first issue with my vehicle where it lost power while driving on the freeway. My vehicle was in the shop for 17 days where they replaced the fuel pump directly affected my turbo. On 10/19/2023 my vehicle had 68,366 miles on it while driving to work when I went to accelerate from a stop sign there was no power and I literally had to drift to the side of the road. My vehicle was in the shop for seven days and it was the same issue. A few weeks after my vehicle was repaired, I received the recall notice, however at this time there was no resolution it was nearly a recall campaign. On 12/29/2023 my vehicle had 70,290 miles (not even 2000 miles since my vehicle had returned from the shop) as I was leaving work, my car begin sputtering like it was going to lose power. I made it home safely however, upon trying to start my vehicle the next morning there was a warning and a message saying not to drive my vehicle. My vehicle has been in the service center since December 30, 2023 with no resolution.

Filed Dec 7, 2023 · Fuel system · 65,000 miles · SC

The contact owns a 2018 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 23V634000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in second gear. The contact was able to drive to the dealer at slow speed. The dealer diagnosed that the fuel pump assembly part number: 35320-2CTB1 and bolts needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 65,000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Filed Oct 1, 2023 · Acceleration, Fuel system · NM

All of a sudden while driving on the road my vehicle lost total power in the middle of an intersection. I would pres the gas pedal and got no response the vehicle would not go. I had to turn car off and try starting it again then the vehicle got power. This keeps happening not everyday but it's happening about once a week while driving. There has been times where the car wouldn't restart for about an hour I got the car off the road and stayed stranded at night till it finally got power to move it would start but it would just putter like it wasn't getting enough fuel and my engine light came on. It is telling me something is wrong with the fuel rail , high pressure fuel pump, and it is running too rich. I have a little over 62,000 miles on it . Now there is a delay in take off it has lost a lot of power and is using a lot of fuel getting poor gas milage.