2020 KIA STINGER Recalls, Complaints & Safety

I am reporting a Failure of the Remedy for NHTSA Recall 23V634000 (Kia Recall SC281). The original recall attempted to "fix" a High-Pressure Fuel Pump (HPFP) issue via a software update to the Engine Control Unit (ECU). This remedy has failed. My vehicle is currently experiencing the exact safety hazard described in the recall: loss of motive power and stalling at various speeds due to HPFP failure. Despite the software "patch" performed in 2024, the physical hardware (HPFP) has now suffered a mechanical failure, rendering the vehicle unsafe to drive. Description of the Incident: On or about March 15, 2026, the vehicle began lose power and stuttered while in motion, posing a significant risk of a rear-end collision. Diagnostic scans (OBD-II) confirmed code [Insert Code if known, e.g., P0087 for Low Fuel Rail Pressure]. A secondary diagnosis at Courtesy Kia (Mesa, AZ) on March 18, 2026, confirmed the HPFP has failed. Failure of Manufacturer to Act: The manufacturer (Kia America, Case #XXX) is currently refusing to replace the failed component under the recall mandate. They are categorizing the repair as "Goodwill" because the recall was "closed" by the unsuccessful software update. The manufacturer’s refusal to remediate a known mechanical defect that causes stalling in traffic is a direct violation of the spirit and legal requirement of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. Current Location of Vehicle: Courtesy XXX. The vehicle is grounded as it is unsafe to operate.

I was driving to work when suddenly my steering wheel gets supper heavy as I was making a turn shook the life out of me my eps went out if you could please do a good will repair or see if there’s any extended warranty please check for a TSPs

Transmission light appeared and a loud knocking noise followed by white smoke bellowing out of the exhaust. I took it to a shop and they said it now needs an engine replacement.

I was driving to work and the steering wheel just looked up and got really stiff and hard to control which was really dangerous. Prior to the I could just be sitting idle and the steering wheel would just start moving by itself out of nowhere.

My car shut off while driving down the road, it would not restart, there were no warning lights or check engine lights on. I had it towed to a repair shop and they replaced the fuel pump. Later I found out the fuel pump was recalled for the car and submitted the work receipt for reimbursement on 12/18/2024. I was never notified of the recall to have it replaced. It has been 11 weeks today and I have not been reimbursed for the $1100 I paid to have the fuel pump replaced. I could have been severely injured when my car engine shut down while driving.

The contact owns a 2020 Kia Stinger. The contact received notification of NHTSA 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.

The vehicle will shut off without reason from time to time. I'll be sitting at a light, stop sign, or intersection, and the car just shuts off. All electronics inside the car turn off, the engine turns off, and it's as if I've shut the car off to get out. Usually, I'm able to restart the car after a few moments and go about my day, but in doing some research on this issue, there have been others that have had the same issue. When others take their car in to have it investigated, the dealership is unable to locate the issue as it's extremely difficult to replicate. A person's safety is definitely in question considering if the car shuts off while driving, it could lock the steering wheel as a few others have seen. The only symptom that I have experienced is the music from the radio goes weird prior to the car shutting down.

I was sitting at a red light with my foot on the brake. When I took my foot off the brake when the light turned green, my car would not drive forward!! I checked to make sure my car was not in Park. All of the lights on the dash were on and the engine was no longer running. Not to mention something similar happened November 18, 2023 where I was driving and the engine suddenly lost power And cut off, and it would not crank back up for longer than 3 secs w/o losing power. my car could no longer run. I ended up having to get it towed to a local Kia dealership On Covington Pike in Memphis, TN (the location on Mt Moriah informed me that if I took it to to their location, I would be charged $175 plus tax for them to run diagnostic on it, and it would be best to take it to the location that I purchased the car from—THAT IS ABSOLUTELY INSANE & ridiculous!!!) and all they did was replace the high pressure fuel pump. They did not hook my car up to do a diagnostic, they just went off of the code reader my friend had. The code showed P0088- fuel rail/system pressure- too high. Nothing else was checked to see if it was defective. That particular kia rep told me that there wasn’t anything they could do unless there was a check engine light lit up on the dash. Now fast forward to today, a similar situation happened, but luckily my car was able to start back up. I’ve been waiting on them to perform 1 of the recalls for over 3years now and it’s always the same story, they don’t have the part, they would have to get that ordered & contact me when it comes in & when it comes in, they don’t contact me!! I really want to know what’s going on with my car for it to still be fairly new and to have these issues when I keep the maintenance up. I can’t afford to be stranded or put myself or the lives of other motorists on the road in danger because my vehicle will randomly lose power out of nowhere. That’s unacceptable and dangerous!

1st safety related incident discovered December 27th, 2021, rear window defroster stopped working. Checked rear fuse block as the owner's manual had listed that the fuse would be located there. Visual observation of fuse block showed rear heater fuse had blown and the area around the fuse discolored and melted. Remedy was dealership replacing rear fuse block and given back with no explanation why the fuse heated up to cause fuse and fuse block to start to melt. 2nd same safety related incident discovered June 18th, 2023, when checking rear fuse block to see if the previous repair fixed the possible electrical fire related concern. It was noticed again that the same fuse had similar discoloration and plastic melting around the fuse. Fuse was removed and alternate dealership contacted about this concern. Vehicle was left at dealership on July 28th, 2023 and loaner vehicle was given to use until remedy could be completed. As of October 14th, 2023 this vehicle is still at the dealership with no remedy or cause determined why the rear fuse block has started melting again after being replaced the first time. Pictures of the fuses and the melted fuse block have been secured by this writer. Neither the fuse blocks nor the fuses are in my possession. Current miles on the vehicle is 47,922. This unsafe condition has the potential to cause a fire and could either cause serious physical injury and or death.

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 NHTSA 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.

Dealer said it is a known issue, but the brakes leave deposit on rotors and cause severe shaking while slowing down. Rattles entire car and steering wheel violently. Had this issue first at 5k miles, now at 18k miles and it is back. The dealer turned the rotors for me under warranty at 5k, but now are telling me I need to purchase my own aftermarket pads and rotors because they won't cover it. Pads have plenty of meat left, just has a nasty "warble" under braking.

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).

moving forward into parking space with my foot on the brake car accelerated and smashed into a tree.

Crash

I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW IN JULY AND HAVE HAD THE SAME ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM AT LEAST 7 TIMES NOW. THE ISSUE IS THAT SOMETIMES, WHEN I GIVE A RIGHT HAND TURN SIGNAL, THE VEHICLE'S ENTIRE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUTS DOWN. IT HAS DONE IT ON A SLOW TURN, ON A MERGE GOING 35MPH, AND ON A A HIGHWAY EXIT RAMP GOING 60MPH. THIS IS DANGEROUS AND ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL ME, OR SOMEONE ELSE, DIES AS A RESULT OF THIS FAILURE. I HAVE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS PROBLEM OFF AND ON FOR 6 MONTHS AND I'M TIRED OF IT.

FUEL LINE CONNECTION WITHIN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT HAD A LOCK/COVER THAT WAS NOT SEATED/ATTACHED. ISSUE WAS DISCOVERED AFTER DOING A THOROUGH LOOK OVER OF A NEWLY PURCHASED VEHICLE IN WHICH A LOOSE NUT WAS FOUND IN THE TRUNK. UPON REMOVAL OF THE PLASTIC ENGINE COVER NEXT TO THE NON LOCKED FUEL LINE TWO MISSING BOLTS WERE FOUND FOR A WIRE HARNESS ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. OWNER CONNECTED FUEL LINE LOCK, DEALER INSTALLED TWO BOLTS TO THE WIRE HARNESS. NO RECEIPT WAS GIVEN SINCE NOTHING WAS BILLED.