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The Kia Stinger is one of the most divisive cars out there. On one hand, it proved the Korean brand can make a capable four-door performance coupe that can rival the likes of Audi S5 and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. I have covered a few issues reported by Kia Stinger owners and while it seems getting one of these stylish performance cars is a bit like playing Russian roulette, it often comes down to how the car has been maintained.
I think it is important to look into such cases, so other owners can be better prepared in case they come across similar problems in the future.
The Kia Stinger came out for the 2018 model year, and as these cars age, we start getting a clearer picture of the model’s common problems.
One owner recently posted a video in the Kia Stinger Owners Group, with what at first glance, seems like an alarming issue. The owner explains that the “car has oil only at idle”, but in reality, he means that the oil pressure light illuminates at idle and goes away as the engine speed climbs to over 2,000 RPM. Once the RPMs return to idle, the oil pressure light shows up again.
Owners chime in with various solutions as others have experienced similar symptoms, but there is no one cause.
The illumination of the oil pressure light generally foreshadows expensive repairs, but not always. Still, it is an alarming occurrence, and it seems different Kia Stinger owners point to different causes. I asked the owner who posted the video if the car has oil consumption, to which he replied, “It consumes oil a lot to be honest”. Not to be a bringer of bad news, but currently, I am performing an engine rebuild on my Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8, after noticeable oil consumption and eventual refusal to build oil pressure.
Related Kia Stinger story: "I Love My 2021 Kia Stinger, But I Have Had Nothing But Problems, And Now, It's Jerking Like Crazy."
While such symptoms could indicate an early(ish) stage of road and main bearing failure, other owners have reportedly solved the issue through various means. Here are the experiences of other Kia Stinger owners who reportedly fixed the issue.
Ken Bruns, who is fond of his Stinger, shares that the “Oil pressure sending unit needs to be replaced. Here's the dealer list of parts replaced. Had the same issue. Light on at idle, goes away after 2,000 RPM..then progresses to staying on at higher RPMs. Had mine done at the dealer last year at 103k miles. Got 128k miles on it now without a hiccup. Runs strong. No leaks, rattles, or vibration, and everything still works. Great daily driver”. He also provided a parts list with everything the dealership changed (see image below).
Mark Owens Jr. says, “Exactly the same happened to my Stinger. After 11 weeks of diagnosis, I was told it needed an engine replacement. Four months later, I still haven't got the car back. Luckily, Kia agreed to cover it out of warranty (just expired by eight weeks).”
Joseph Russel says, “Oil pressure sensor. Not a cheap fix because of where it's located.”
Mark Armstrong says, “Oil pressure sensor, replaced mine a few weeks ago myself, cost $240 in parts.”
Vincent Huneaut says, “Oil pressure sensor or Oil pump. For me, it was both.”
Most owners seem to point to the oil pressure sending unit (also known as the oil pressure sensor), which monitors oil pressure and sends data to the ECU, and in turn to your dashboard if need be. If the oil pressure is low, the “oil can” symbol will illuminate on your instrument cluster. If the light shows up, it could mean a faulty sensor or that your oil is too low.
If the sensor fails, it could indirectly cause oil consumption, as in the case of this owner’s Kia Stinger. Many times, this can be from a leak in the sensor seal. Note that the failure of the oil pressure sender unit can mask other, more serious issues.
At least one owner (like the one mentioned above) had its engine replaced free of charge, but severe oil consumption (a quart per day) may indicate something more serious. I am currently speaking with the owner, so we can better determine the real cause, in case it turns out to be something more serious than the oil pressure sensor.
Despite all that, the Kia Stinger continues to provide exceptional value for money. A stylish daily driver that can also double as a performance car is hard to find for a reasonable price. Despite some owners reporting a variety of issues, they are happy with their Stinger, and having tested one some years back, I can understand why. What’s your take on the Kia Stinger? If you own one, have you experienced issues? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
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Image source: 2021 Kia Stinger press release
Dimitar Angelov's automotive interests made him an expert in a wide variety of vehicles. Japanese brands like Toyota and Nissan are closest to his heart, although performance cars in general are his favorite segment, which is why he is constantly on the lookout for the best deals on the market. Dimitar Angelov's car passion and knack for the written word led him to complete a Master of Arts in Media and Communications, and classic car restoration. Dim is happy to get behind the wheel of any car and share his impressions. You can follow Dimitar on X, Linked-in, Instagram, and Facebook.
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