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: The Forte has 121.4 complaints per year with 6 deaths, while the Camry has 208.1 complaints per year with 1 death. Forte owners report engine metal particles and electrical shutdowns; Camry owners report key removal in drive and moonroof shattering. 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 shows a high rate of engine-related complaints, with owners reporting failures like metal particles in oil and stalling, often in relatively new cars. Electrical system issues, including sudden shutdowns and headlight failures, add to reliability concerns. While the Forte has fewer total complaints than the Camry, its problems tend to be more severe, with multiple deaths reported.
Toyota Camry
The Toyota Camry has a higher complaint volume but fewer severe outcomes, with one death reported. Powertrain issues, such as the ability to remove the key while in drive, and spontaneous moonroof shattering are notable. Brake problems, including unintended activation, also appear frequently. Overall, Camry complaints are less likely to involve catastrophic failures.
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 | 1,214 Better | 2,081 |
| Safety recallsFederal recall campaigns | 16 Better | 28 |
| Crash reportsCrash-related complaints | 116 Better | 177 |
| Complaints per yearAveraged across model years | 121.4 Better | 208.1 |
| Reported injuriesTied to owner complaints | 79 Better | 161 |
| 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
- 01ENGINE513
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER211
- 03ELECTRICAL SYSTEM169
- 04POWER TRAIN134
- 05AIR BAGS99
Owners report engines failing early, with metal particles found in oil (e.g., a 2022 Forte GT at 76,000 miles) and cars not starting or accelerating. This suggests potential internal damage or manufacturing defects.
The car shuts down while driving, sometimes on freeways, and headlights can turn off at night. These failures pose immediate safety risks and have been reported multiple times.
Stalling upon acceleration and transmission issues are common, with a 2024 Forte failing to function properly at only 11,000 miles. This affects drivability and reliability.
“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 TRAIN384
- 02UNKNOWN OR OTHER332
- 03ENGINE309
- 04SERVICE BRAKES288
- 05ELECTRICAL SYSTEM233
The key can be removed while the car is in drive, allowing rollaway, and the key can get stuck in Park. These are intermittent defects that can lead to accidents or inconvenience.
The moonroof can shatter spontaneously while driving, sounding like a gunshot, with no external cause. This is a safety hazard from glass debris.
Brakes can erroneously activate, causing unintended deceleration, and there are reports of grinding noises. This can lead to loss of control or rear-end collisions.
“The vehicle allows the engine to be turned off, key removed, while the vehicle is still in drive with no warning lights or sounds. I have tested and the vehicle can roll away. Complained to the toyota dealership and they said the service tech consulted with t…”
“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…”
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 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 September 27, 2023. Owners may contact Kia c…
Toyota Camry — 28 recalls
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 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…
Buyer analysis
KIA Forte or Toyota Camry: which should you buy?
The KIA Forte averages 121.4 complaints per year versus the Toyota Camry's 208.1, but the Forte's complaints are more severe, with 6 deaths compared to the Camry's 1. In practice, the Camry has more frequent but less dangerous issues, while the Forte's problems are more likely to be critical.
Key differences
- KIA Forte has 6 deaths vs. Camry's 1, indicating more severe failure modes.
- Forte's top issue is engine failure (metal in oil, stalling); Camry's top is powertrain (key removal in drive).
- Forte has electrical shutdowns while driving; Camry has spontaneous moonroof shattering.
- Camry has more brake problems (unintended activation); Forte has more air bag complaints (99 vs. not in top 5 for Camry).
- Check for engine metal particles in oil and any stalling or no-start conditions, especially on 2022-2024 models.
- Inspect electrical system for intermittent shutdowns or headlight failures, particularly after hitting bumps.
- Test that the key cannot be removed while in drive and that it releases smoothly from Park.
- Inspect the moonroof for cracks or shatter risk, and check brake system for unintended activation or grinding.
Before you buy
- Ask for service records showing oil analysis for metal particles on the Forte.
- Test drive the Camry to ensure the key removal works correctly and brakes don't activate unexpectedly.
- Check for any open recalls on both vehicles using the VIN.
- Inspect the Forte's headlights and electrical system by driving over bumps at night.
- For the Camry, examine the moonroof glass for any existing damage or stress marks.
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 | 23 | 46 |
| 2023 | 56 | 60 |
| 2022 | 25 | 57 |
| 2021 | 67 | 154 |
| 2020 | 71 | 264 |
| 2019 | 146 | 387 |
| 2018 | 134 | 728 |
| 2017 | 300 | 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
- 1,214
- Toyota Camry total complaints
- 2,081
- KIA Forte total recalls
- 16
- Toyota Camry total recalls
- 28
- KIA Forte avg complaints/year
- 121.4
- Toyota Camry avg complaints/year
- 208.1
- More reliable overall
- KIA Forte
- KIA Forte top complaint area
- ENGINE
- Toyota Camry top complaint area
- POWER TRAIN