2021 Kia Stinger Fuel Gauge Recall (21V862)
Kia America, Inc. · 53 vehicles · Reported November 5, 2021
Kia America, Inc. is recalling 53 2021 Kia Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading. An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will make the repair free of charge.
Recall 21V862 at a glance
| NHTSA campaign number | 21V862000 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer recall number | SC219 |
| Date reported to NHTSA | November 5, 2021 |
| Manufacturer | Kia America, Inc. |
| Vehicles | 2021 Kia Stinger |
| Units affected | 53 |
| Component | Electrical System > Instrument Panel > Fuel Gauge |
| Safety risk | An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash. |
| Fix | Available at dealers |
What is wrong with the 2021 Kia Stinger in recall 21V862?
A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Stinger vehicles. A software error in the instrument cluster may cause an inaccurate fuel gauge reading.
Is it safe to drive a 2021 Stinger with recall 21V862?
NHTSA has not told owners to stop driving, but the risk is real: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA describes the risk this way: An inaccurate fuel gauge may result in the vehicle unexpectedly running out of fuel and stalling, increasing the risk of a crash.
NHTSA has not issued a do-not-drive or park-outside warning for this recall. Still, get the repair done as soon as it is available, and stop driving if you notice symptoms related to the fuel gauge.
Which vehicles are included in recall 21V862?
Recall 21V862 covers 53 vehicles: 2021 Kia Stinger.
NHTSA lists 53 vehicles in this campaign. Not every vehicle of these models and years is included, so check your VIN.
| Model years | Make | Model |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Kia | Stinger |
What is the fix for the Stinger fuel gauge recall?
Yes. Dealers will update the software, free of charge.
Dealers will update the software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 10, 2021. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC219.
When was recall 21V862 announced?
Kia America, Inc. reported recall 21V862 to NHTSA on November 5, 2021. NHTSA lists the owner letter date as December 10, 2021.
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| November 5, 2021 | Kia America, Inc. filed the defect report with NHTSA; NHTSA assigned campaign 21V862000. |
| December 10, 2021 | Owner notification letters mailed (per NHTSA). |
This recall was filed 59 months ago. If your Stinger was built in that window, the VIN check below is the way to confirm it is included.
How do I check if my Stinger is part of recall 21V862?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If recall 21V862 is open on your Stinger, it will be listed there.
Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA’s recall lookup. It shows any open safety recall on your vehicle, including 21V862000. Your VIN is on the registration card, the insurance card, and the driver side of the dashboard where it meets the windshield. Recent recalls can take a few days to appear in the lookup.
What should Stinger owners do about recall 21V862?
Check your VIN, schedule the free recall repair, and keep a repair order for every dealer visit.
- Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm recall 21V862000 applies to your Stinger.
- Call a Kia dealer and schedule the recall repair. Ask how long the repair takes and whether parts are in stock.
- Keep a copy of every repair order. Check that each one lists your complaint, the mileage, and the dates in and out.
- Keep a simple log of any fuel gauge symptoms with dates and mileage. Video of a warning light or the problem happening is strong evidence.
- Count the days the vehicle is at the dealer. Days out of service add up toward California's 30-day presumption.
- If the problem comes back after the repair, return to the dealer and contact a lemon law attorney.
What are Stinger owners reporting to NHTSA?
Owners have filed 17 complaints with NHTSA about these vehicles since 2020, 4 of them about the fuel system.
Too few NHTSA complaints about the fuel system have been filed since recall 21V862 was reported (3) to say whether the fix is holding.
NHTSA’s public complaint database lists 17 owner complaints filed since 2020 for the vehicles in this recall, and 4 of them involve the fuel system. Complaints are reports from owners and have not been verified by NHTSA, but a high count for the same component is a sign the problem is widespread.
- 2021 Kia Stinger: 17 complaints in total, 4 about the fuel system
A few excerpts from owner complaints filed with NHTSA (unverified, lightly trimmed):
The contact owns a 2021 Kia Stinger. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed and making a turn, the vehicle lost motive power inadvertently. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove to his nearby residence.
2021 Kia Stinger owner, MD, NHTSA complaint 11556241, filed November 21, 2023
Since April I have been having the same issue. Sometimes when I am stopped and the autostop is supposed to shut down the engine, the engine just sputters and if I hit the gas nothing happens. I have to put the car in park and shut it down then restart it.
2021 Kia Stinger owner, MA, NHTSA complaint 11690875, filed October 1, 2025
My car started skipping or stalling when I'd press the accelerator. Then the check engine light came on. I took it to an Independent mechanic and it showed high pressure fuel pump or system. The spark plugs were changed, but the problem remained.
2021 Kia Stinger owner, SC, NHTSA complaint 11744848, filed June 17, 2026
Can recall 21V862 make my Stinger a lemon in California?
Not by itself. A recall repair that fails, or repeat dealer visits for the same defect, can support a California lemon law claim.
Recall 21V862000 does not automatically make your Stinger a lemon. California's Song-Beverly Act asks two questions: does a warranty defect substantially impair the vehicle's use, value or safety, and did the manufacturer fail to fix it in a reasonable number of tries (Civ. Code 1793.2(d))?
Fuel system defects can cause stalling, fuel leaks or a fire risk. Repeat stalling after a recall repair is a strong sign the fix did not work.
The recall repair is available at dealers. If it works, great. If the same symptom comes back, the recall visit is one repair attempt and the next visit is another.
California law presumes a reasonable number of attempts has been made if, within 18 months or 18,000 miles of delivery, the same problem was repaired two or more times for a defect likely to cause death or serious injury, four or more times for any covered defect, or the vehicle was out of service for repairs more than 30 days in total (Civ. Code 1793.22(b)). Some of these require written notice to the manufacturer. A claim can still succeed outside that window.
An owner who prevails in a lemon law case can recover reasonable attorney fees and costs from the manufacturer (Civ. Code 1794(d)). You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
In our cases, a recall repair visit counts as a repair attempt, and it's strongest when the owner complained about the problem before the recall came out. A recall shows the defect is real and that enough owners reported it for the manufacturer to issue a fix.
The biggest mistake I see is waiting too long. The mileage offset starts at your first repair visit for the problem, so the sooner you take it in, the better. If the problem comes and goes, take it in when it happens. You can't go back to that date later.
If you get a recall notice, call a lemon law attorney right away. You may have taken the car in for the same problem before and forgotten, or there may be other recalls related to it.
Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320), Founder and Managing Attorney. Quotes lightly edited for clarity. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
Has your Stinger been back to the dealer for this problem?
Call 877-536-6620Other Kia Stinger recalls
Frequently asked questions about recall 21V862
Is the 21V862000 recall repair free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are done free of charge at authorized dealers.
When will owners be notified?
According to NHTSA, owner notification letters were or are scheduled to be mailed December 10, 2021.
How do I know if my Stinger is part of recall 21V862000?
Enter your 17-character VIN in NHTSA's recall lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or call a dealer. The VIN is on your registration, insurance card and the lower corner of the windshield.
Does a recall mean my car is a lemon?
Not on its own. A lemon law claim depends on whether a covered defect keeps coming back or keeps the vehicle out of service. A recall repair that fails, or repeat visits for the same problem, can support a claim.
What should I keep for a possible lemon law claim?
Keep every repair order, the recall owner letter, your purchase or lease contract, and notes on dates, mileage and symptoms. Make sure each dealer visit is written up, even when the dealer says it cannot find a problem.
Does the recall fixing my car mean I have no case?
Not necessarily. Even if the recall repair fixed it, you may still have a case, and a car that's a year or more old can still qualify.
Do used cars qualify for California lemon law?
We take certified pre-owned, demo and dealer vehicles. Since the California Supreme Court's Rodriguez decision in 2024, ordinary used cars generally do not qualify.
How long does a recall lemon law case take?
Recall-related cases typically resolve in one to three months from your first call. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
What does a lemon law attorney cost?
You pay nothing, win or lose. We are paid only if you win, and the manufacturer pays our fees, including in settlements. If a case is lost, our firm covers the costs.
Sources
- NHTSA recall record 21V862000 (recall report and owner letters are posted there)
- NHTSA complaints and recalls data, accessed October 1, 2026
- California Civil Code 1793.2 and 1793.22
Attorney advertising. America’s Lemon Lawyer is a trade name of Wynn Law Group, APC. Responsible attorney: Jacob Shayesteh, Esq. (SBN 362320). This page is general information, not legal advice. America’s Lemon Lawyer is not affiliated with NHTSA or Kia. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.