Head-to-head reliability

KIA Stinger vs Chevrolet Silverado

How the KIA Stinger and Chevrolet Silverado compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.

KIA Stinger165 complaints · 20 recalls Fewer issues per year
Chevrolet Silverado7,904 complaints · 100 recalls

Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records

Which should you buy?

KIA Stinger averages fewer NHTSA complaints per year. KIA Stinger has 165 complaints and 20 recalls on record; Chevrolet Silverado has 7,904 complaints and 100 recalls. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.

The numbers

Side-by-side NHTSA record

Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.

CategoryKIA StingerChevrolet Silverado
Total complaintsAll model years combined165 Better7,904
Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns20 Better100
Crash reportsCrash-related complaints6 Better229
Complaints per yearAveraged across model years27.5 Better790.4
Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints2 Better159
Reported deathsTied to owner complaints1 Better3

Source: NHTSA owner complaints & recall records.

What actually goes wrong

The problems owners report

The most-complained-about systems on each vehicle — what fails, and what owners say in their own words.

KIA Stinger

  1. 01ENGINE47
  2. 02ELECTRICAL SYSTEM35
  3. 03SERVICE BRAKES30
  4. 04FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM24
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER22
In owners' words — ENGINE

I called the Vanguard Kia dealership in Arlington (3:22pm), TX the date I received the recall letter on 5/7/2024. The service rep (I didn't get his name) put me hold and confirmed the work would only take 3 hours, I would take a shuttle home, I should arrive…

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 T…

Chevrolet Silverado

  1. 01ENGINE2,352
  2. 02POWER TRAIN2,254
  3. 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM1,452
  4. 04SERVICE BRAKES1,198
  5. 05UNKNOWN OR OTHER838
In owners' words — ENGINE

My 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500 with the 6.6L Duramax diesel has experienced three separate P2463 Diesel Particulate Filter excessive soot accumulation events at approximately 4,300, 5,500, and 10,280 miles. Each event required a Chevrolet dealer to perform…

At approximately 3,000 miles, the engine began making a loud knocking noise that became progressively worse while driving. The truck was diagnosed as needing a complete engine replacement. No warning lights, no check engine light, nothing. For someone inexper…

Official recalls

Safety recalls on record

Federal recall campaigns — the defect, the risk, and the fix. Confirm any open recall was completed before you buy.

KIA Stinger — 20 recalls

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger — Hoses/Plumbing
#24V169000Jan 2024

The defect: 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.

The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.

The 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 S…

Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — Control Unit/Module
#20V518000

The defect: 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-…

The risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.

The 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 beg…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump
#23V634000

The defect: 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.

The risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.

The 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…

Engine And Engine Cooling — Engine — Gasoline — Turbo/Supercharger — Hoses/Plumbing
#24V169000Jan 2024

The defect: 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.

The risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.

The 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 S…

Chevrolet Silverado — 100 recalls

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#25V815000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2026 Chevrolet Silverado 1500, 2500, and 3500 vehicles. These vehicles may not have received an owner's manual during production. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 225, “Child Re…

The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: Dealers will provide the owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 30, 2025. Owners may contact Chevrolet customer service at 1-800-222-1020. GM's number for this recall is N252532020. Vehicle Identifi…

Fuel System, Gasoline — Delivery — Fuel Pump — Control/Drive Module
#26V129000May 2026

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2025-2026 Chevrolet Silverado 3500, and GMC Sierra 3500 vehicles with gasoline engines and dual fuel tanks (RPOs L8T and N2N). The rear fuel pump may not transfer adequate fuel to the front tank, causing an engine stall.

The risk: An engine stall increases the risk of a crash.

The fix: The vehicle's engine control module (ECM) will be updated by a dealer or through an over-the-air (OTA) update, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 8, 2026. Owners may contact GMC customer service at 1-800-462-8782…

Equipment — Other — Owners/Service/Other Manual
#26V114000

The defect: General Motors has decided that certain 2027 Chevrolet Bolt EV, 2025-2026 Cadillac OPTIQ, Chevrolet Colorado, Equinox EV, GMC Canyon, 2026 Buick Enclave, Envision, Cadillac CT5, Escalade, Escalade ESV, Escalade IQ, Escalade IQL, LYRIQ, VISTIQ, Chevrolet Blazer EV, Corvette Convertible, Corvette Cou…

The risk: Without an owner's manual to consult, owners may not know how to safely use and operate the vehicle, increasing the risk of injury in a crash.

The fix: Dealers will reset the vehicle radio, which will facilitate automatic download of the electronic owner’s manual, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 16, 2026. Owners may contact GM customer service at 1-866-467-970…

Tires — Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems
#26V530000

The defect: General Motors, LLC (GM) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and GMC Sierra 2500 vehicles equipped with the enhanced towing option and 20-inch accessory tire/wheel package. The tire information label may state the incorrect rear tire pressure, resulting in underinflated tires an…

The risk: Driving with underinflated tires can increase the risk of a crash.

The fix: Dealers will inspect, update the engine control module (ECM) software, apply a tire label overlay, inflate tires to the correct pressure, and perform a tire pressure monitor system (TPMS) re-learn process as necessary, free of charge. Owne…

Year by year

Which model years to avoid

Complaints per model year for both vehicles — lower is better. The spikes are the years to scrutinize.

YearKIA StingerChevrolet Silverado
20235424
2022171302
202117914
202016831
2019431977
201867588
Years to scrutinize: the 2018 KIA Stinger drew the most complaints (67); the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado drew the most (1,977). Inspect these model years especially closely.

Check the actual car

Comparing models is smart. Checking the VIN is essential.

Brand averages tell you the trend. A VIN check tells you what's wrong with the specific KIA Stinger or Chevrolet Silverado in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.

Go deeper

Full reliability reports

KIA Stinger vs Chevrolet Silverado — comparison facts
Comparison
KIA Stinger vs Chevrolet Silverado
KIA Stinger total complaints
165
Chevrolet Silverado total complaints
7,904
KIA Stinger total recalls
20
Chevrolet Silverado total recalls
100
KIA Stinger avg complaints/year
27.5
Chevrolet Silverado avg complaints/year
790.4
More reliable overall
KIA Stinger
KIA Stinger top complaint area
ENGINE
Chevrolet Silverado top complaint area
ENGINE