Kia Stinger: Lambda II 3.3 TT Left Turbo Oil Feed Pipe Deterioration and Engine Fire Risk

The left-hand turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly on the 3.3 TT engine degrades over time due to proximity to the exhaust manifold and sustained radiant heat. Once the pipe cracks or softens, engine oil leaks onto hot exhaust components, creating a significant underhood fire risk. Kia issued NHTSA Recall 24V-169 in March 2024 following a confirmed engine fire on a Stinger in December 2023. Approximately 36,248 US vehicles are affected. Dealers replace the pipe assembly free of charge, but unrepaired vehicles remain a serious safety hazard.

• Burning oil smell from engine bay, especially after sustained driving
• Visible oil staining or residue on the left exhaust manifold or heat shields
• Oil level dropping faster than expected with no visible undercar leak
• Smoke from engine bay on deceleration or at idle after a run
• Oil pressure warning light illumination in severe cases

1. 1

   Check NHTSA recall 24V-169 completion status by VIN before purchase.

2. 2

   With the hood open, inspect the left (driver-side) turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose for softening, cracking, discolouration or oil staining on the surrounding exhaust manifold heat shield.

3. 3

   Smell for burning oil in the engine bay after a warm drive.

Parts involved: Turbocharger.

$0 to $1,800 at New Zealand independent workshop rates. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.

An estimate, in NZD, for the repair as normally carried out. What a specific car costs depends on which part has failed and what it damaged on the way — treat this as the floor for a negotiation, not a quote.

• “Has the NHTSA recall 24V-169 for the turbo oil feed pipe been completed at a Kia dealer, and do you have the service record?”
• “Has the engine bay been steam cleaned at any point, which could mask existing oil contamination from a leaking pipe?”
• “Has the vehicle ever had an underhood fire, burning smell, or oil pressure warning light?”

The failure described above is documented in published sources — owner forums, technical service bulletins, recall notices and workshop write-ups — held in our fault database. The inspection instructions and the cost estimate are KickTyres’ own interpretation of them, and it is a starting point for an inspection rather than a manufacturer statement.