Head-to-head reliability
KIA Forte vs Toyota Camry
How the KIA Forte and Toyota Camry compare on NHTSA complaints, recalls and crash reports — and which is the lower-risk used buy.
Based on NHTSA owner-complaint & recall records
KIA Forte vs Toyota Camry: Over 10 years, the Forte had 1,108 complaints and 6 deaths, while the Camry had 2,056 complaints and 1 death. The Forte averages 110.8 complaints per year, the Camry 205.6. Both have recalls for steering and other systems. Source: NHTSA owner complaints.
The picture
Is the KIA Forte or Toyota Camry more reliable?
A plain-English read on what the NHTSA record says about living with each vehicle.
KIA Forte
The KIA Forte is a compact car with a mixed reliability record over the past decade. Owners frequently report engine problems, including stalling, failure to start, and metal particles in the oil, as well as electrical issues that can cause the car to shut down while driving. These complaints suggest that some Forte models may experience serious, safety-related failures that require immediate attention.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry is a midsize sedan with a higher total number of complaints, but many are for less severe issues. Common reports include transmission hesitation, brake noise, and various electrical glitches. While the Camry has more recalls, the lower fatality count in the data may indicate that its issues are less often life-threatening.
The numbers
Side-by-side NHTSA record
Lower is better in every category. The highlighted cell is the stronger result.
| Category | KIA Forte | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| Total complaintsAll model years combined | 1,108 Better | 2,056 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 31 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 103 Better | 171 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 110.8 Better | 205.6 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 68 Better | 158 |
| Reported deathsTied to owner complaints | 6 | 1 Better |
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 Forte
- 01ENGINE458
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER202
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM151
- 04POWER TRAIN120
- 05AIR BAGS89
Owners report engines that won't start or accelerate, and in some cases metal particles are found in the oil, indicating internal damage. This can lead to costly repairs or engine replacement.
Complaints describe the car stalling and shutting down completely while driving, sometimes leaving the driver unable to restart or shift into neutral. This poses a serious safety risk, especially in traffic.
Drivers experience stalling upon acceleration and issues with the car not moving properly, often linked to transmission or fuel system problems. These failures can leave you stranded or cause accidents.
Reports include steering that loosens or tightens unexpectedly, alignment issues, and complete air conditioning failure. These problems affect control and comfort, and may be expensive to fix.
“While the vehicle was approximately ten months old with approximately 11K miles, it was continuously not functioning properly and would not start/accelerate. My 2024 KIA Forte, which was purchased new from a KIA dealership, has continuously failed to function…”
“In early 2025, I encountered a serious issue with my 2022 Kia Forte GT, a manual car with 76,000 miles and a 1.6L turbo Gamma engine. I took it for a routine oil change at a local non-Kia shop, but they refused, finding metal particles in the oil, suggesting…”
Toyota Camry
- 01POWER TRAIN385
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER323
- 03ENGINE315
- 04SERVICE BRAKES285
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM237
Owners report the ignition key getting stuck and not releasing even when the car is in Park, as well as hesitation and shuddering during driving. These issues can prevent you from securing the vehicle or cause rough operation.
Complaints include delayed throttle response, where pressing the gas pedal doesn't immediately move the car, and check engine lights with shuddering. This can make merging or accelerating unpredictable.
The electronic parking brake may fail to disengage, requiring a tow, and some owners hear clicking or vibrating noises from the brake pedal area. Brake problems are safety-critical and should be addressed promptly.
Multiple systems like stability control, power steering, and blind spot monitoring can malfunction simultaneously, often with warning lights. This can overwhelm the driver and reduce vehicle safety.
“My 2023 Toyota Camry has developed an intermittent defect where the ignition key becomes stuck and cannot be removed even though the dashboard shows the vehicle is in Park. The only way to remove the key is to disconnect the vehicle's battery, which is not a…”
“The contact owns a 2023 Toyota Camry. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle was hesitating and shuddering, and the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who diagnosed the vehicle…”
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 Forte — 16 recalls
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. The right front lower control arm may have been improperly welded, which can cause it to fail.
The risk: Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will replace the right front lower control arm, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 17, 2024. Owners may contact Kia custo…
The defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2023 Forte vehicles. Due to a manufacturing error, the front left steering knuckle may crack, which can result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the front left steering knuckle, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed January 12, 2023. Owner may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall…
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
The defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021-2022 Rio and Forte vehicles. A bolt in the steering column may not be secured properly, which can cause the steering column to detach from the steering rack and result in a loss of steering control.
The risk: Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will tighten the lower steering column u-joint retention bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 27, 2022. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC235.
Toyota Camry — 31 recalls
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The lug nuts that attach the wheels to the vehicle may be loose, which can result in wheel detachment.
The risk: A wheel that detaches from a moving vehicle can cause a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Owners are advised not to drive their vehicles until the repair has been performed. Dealers will inspect and tighten the lug nuts, and replace any damaged components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed on…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2020-2021 Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Corolla, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Lexus ES350, Lexus RX350, Lexus RX450H, 2021 Sienna Hybrid, Lexus ES250, 2020-2022 Camry, Camry Hybrid, and ES300H vehicles. A short cir…
The risk: An air bag that does not deploy during a crash increases the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the sensor as necessary, free of charge. Interim letters notifying owners of the safety risk were mailed in February 2024. Some final remedy owner letters were mailed October 31, 2024. Letters will continue…
The defect: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2023-2024 Camry and Camry Hybrid vehicles. The second-row center and right-side seats may have insufficiently welded head restraint brackets. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle…
The risk: A head restraint bracket that is insufficiently welded may not properly restrain an occupant during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
The fix: Dealers will replace the 60% rear seat-back frame sub-assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 19, 2024. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are 24TB0…
Buyer analysis
KIA Forte or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA Forte has fewer complaints per year (about 111) compared to the Toyota Camry (about 206), but the Forte's complaints more often involve severe engine and electrical failures that can cause stalling or shutdowns. The Camry's higher complaint volume includes many less critical issues, yet it has far fewer deaths reported (1 vs. 6). In practice, the Forte may have a lower overall complaint rate but a higher risk of sudden, dangerous breakdowns.
Key differences
- The KIA Forte has 6 deaths reported in NHTSA data over 10 years, while the Toyota Camry has only 1, suggesting the Forte's issues may be more often fatal.
- Forte owners frequently report engine stalling and failure to start, while Camry owners more often report transmission hesitation and brake noise.
- The Camry has nearly double the annual complaint rate (205.6 vs. 110.8), but many are for less severe problems like infotainment glitches.
- Both have recalls for steering and suspension, but the Forte's recalls include control arm and steering column issues, while the Camry's include seat and air bag sensor recalls.
- Check for any signs of engine trouble: listen for unusual noises, look for metal particles in the oil, and ask for maintenance records.
- Test drive at various speeds and pay attention to any stalling, hesitation, or electrical glitches like the car shutting down or warning lights flickering.
- Test the ignition key to ensure it releases smoothly from the ignition when in Park, and check for any hesitation or shuddering during acceleration.
- Inspect the electronic parking brake operation and listen for clicking or vibrating noises when pressing the brake pedal.
Before you buy
- Obtain a full vehicle history report and check for open recalls on the NHTSA website using the VIN.
- Have a certified mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection, focusing on engine, transmission, and electrical systems.
- During the test drive, simulate stop-and-go traffic and highway driving to check for stalling, hesitation, or warning lights.
- Ask the seller for all maintenance records, especially oil changes, to assess engine health.
- Verify that all safety recalls have been addressed by contacting a dealership with the VIN.
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.
| Year | KIA Forte | Toyota Camry |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 25 | 50 |
| 2023 | 63 | 64 |
| 2022 | 27 | 61 |
| 2021 | 68 | 157 |
| 2020 | 76 | 274 |
| 2019 | 147 | 395 |
| 2018 | 136 | 744 |
| 2017 | 303 | 148 |
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 Forte or Toyota Camry in front of you — accident history, open recalls and title records.
Go deeper
Full reliability reports
- Comparison
- KIA Forte vs Toyota Camry
- KIA Forte total complaints
- 1,108
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,056
- KIA Forte total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 31
- KIA Forte avg complaints/year
- 110.8
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 205.6
- More reliable overall
- KIA Forte
- KIA Forte top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN