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Kia Stinger hesitation problems

10 of the 172 owner complaints about the Kia Stinger describe hesitation when accelerating, most of them for the 2020 model year.

owner complaints
10
worst model year
2020
typical mileage
55,000
Is there a fix? No recall or service bulletin covers this area of the car yet.

By model year

  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    4
  • 2019
    1
  • 2018
    3

Often reported together

Stalling 5Check engine light 5Fuel pump 4Loss of power 3Jerking 3Won't start 1Start-stop 1Shudder 1

Trouble codes mentioned

P2180 1P2178 1P061B 1P0175 1P0172 1P0108 1P0068 1

What owners say

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 Apr 8, 2026 · Fuel system · FL

Was wondering why this vehicle isn't included in the fuel pump recall .There is hesitation, starves for fuel. All the symptoms, per mechanic, saying that is should be included!

Filed Mar 14, 2026 · Engine · FL

My 2022 Kia Stinger first went into the dealership because it would not accelerate properly even at full throttle, creating an immediate safety risk in traffic. Over multiple visits, the dealership replaced the ECM, ABS module, brake booster, vacuum pump, and a fuel injector, and confirmed repeated electrical shorts across major systems including throttle control, braking, and fuel delivery. Despite months of repairs, the loss of power, brake assist issues, ABS faults, and electrical failures continued, and the dealership never identified the root cause. The problems were reproduced and documented by the dealer, the vehicle was inspected multiple times on behalf of the manufacturer, and warning lights and drivability symptoms appeared before each failure. The vehicle is currently not in my possession, and all replaced components are available for inspection. The combination of engine hesitation, brake system failures, and repeated electrical shorts makes the vehicle unsafe and unreliable to operate.

Filed Feb 3, 2026 · Engine, Fuel system · TX

My vehicle is experiencing active symptoms consistent with the defects described in recalls SC279 and SC281. These include: - Sputtering and hesitation under acceleration - Severe drop in fuel mileage - Check Engine Light - Fuel‑rail pressure fault code - Black soot at the tailpipe - Loss of power The vehicle is unsafe to drive and may stall. My dealership confirmed that the recall parts are on national backorder and cannot repair the vehicle. Kia Corporate has refused to authorize towing or a loaner vehicle upfront, leaving me without safe transportation. This is a serious safety issue, and Kia is unable to provide a timely remedy.

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 Sep 3, 2024 · Engine · 55,000 miles · TX

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 24V169000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated while driving 70-75 MPH and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. An unknown warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred while driving. The dealer was contacted, and an appointment was scheduled several times for recall repair. The contact stated that upon taken the vehicle to the dealer, the dealer advised the contact that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to a second dealer, Clay Cooley (1247 E Airport Fwy, Irving, TX 75062), where the contact was informed that the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 55,000. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Mar 2, 2023 · Engine, Fuel system · 59,272 miles · FL

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would jerk and hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal as the check engine light appeared on the instrument panel. One day while at a stop sign, the vehicle stalled upon depression of the accelerator pedal. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where he was informed that the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The contact purchased the spark plugs from the dealer but had an independent mechanic perform the repair. Despite the repair, the failure occurred a second time. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where another diagnostic test was performed, and the contact was notified that both the spark plugs, and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Upon investigation, the contact discovered the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 20V560000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) which he linked to the failure. The dealer was notified of the recall but was informed that the VIN was not under recall. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and provided the same information as the dealer. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was 59,272.

Filed Jun 1, 2022 · Fuel system · CA

Dealer stated that the GDI pump has failed and that is not a common issue. My car started shuddering as I was driving in the interstate I5 north at 70mph, then the car stalled in the middle of the freeway, gas pedal was useless, if it was not because my speed was 70mph and the force of the speed keep my car moving for a little I would probably be hit by a truck putting my life and others at risk. Car was towed back to the dealer, very strong smell of gas and smoke was coming from underneath it, engine lights came on after it stalled a second time while parked on the side of the road. Only signs noticed was the shuddering one day prior to this incident but car did not stall and I thought It was because it needed oil change, other was hesitation to start while cold, after a second attempt it would start without problem. all those signs were not long lasting nor repetitive (shuddering happened only ones prior the day of the incident and ones seconds before the incident).

Filed Apr 19, 2021 · Engine · 1,200 miles · IL

Just purchased a 2021 kia stinger gt awd new about a month ago. Just over 1000 miles on it now and encountered a concerning issue. Sitting at a stoplight with the auto start/stop off, traction control off and in sports mode, I pressed the gas pedal and there was a slight hesitation followed by a pretty forceful lurch forward. As I approached the next stoplight several hundred feet further ahead the car completely stalled out. I took it to the dealer and they could not duplicate it... Of course.

Filed Jan 28, 2021 · Engine, Fuel system · 16,041 miles · NC

On feb 18, 2020 the car had a throttle hesitation and cut off in traffic while turning through an intersection and when started again had check engine light and car went into limp home mode. Car had error codes p061b, p0172, p0175, p2180, p2178. Kia advised to not drive the car and have it towed to dealer. I was told there was a loose wire connection and dealer supposedly fixed it. On march 23, 2020, car was running with rough idle and check engine light came on pulling codes p0108 and p0068. Car was able to be driven to dealer and dealer could not find the issue. On september 25, 2020, car had rough idle and check engine light and pulled code p0068. Car was able to driven to dealer and dealer could not find the issue. Dealer said maybe it was related to k&n air filters so at their advice and replaced them with stock air filters. January 26, 2021, car had throttle hesitation on the highway and when on the exit ramp the idle was jumping between 1000 and 1500 RPM. Check engine light came on and car went into limp home mode and pulling error codes p061b, p0172, p2178, p2180 which were the same codes from february 18, 2020. Car was towed to dealer january 27, 2020, and for two days the dealer has not been able to find the issue. I do not consider this car safe to drive. There's an electrical issue that can not be found and not knowing if car is going to stall or go into limp home mode is a terrifying way to drive.

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Questions about the Kia Stinger hesitation

Which Kia Stinger years have hesitation when accelerating problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2020 (4 complaints), 2018 (3 complaints) and 2019 (1 complaints).

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