KIA Forte Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls — NHTSA Data
Comparing used KIA Forte options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017–2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact KIA Forte you plan to buy.
KIA FORTE (2017–2026) has 813 NHTSA complaints, with engine issues leading at 286. The 2017 model year accounts for 299 complaints, while 2024–2026 have only 21. Buyers should check for open recalls (14 total) and inspect the engine. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Make
- KIA
- Model
- Forte
- Model years analyzed
- 2017–2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 813
- Safety recall campaigns
- 14
- Crash-related complaints
- 84
- Fire-related complaints
- 23
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2017 (299 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2024 (21 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ENGINE
- Reliability signal
- Average
KIA Forte: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used — lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record — lower risk starting points.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
AverageBased on NHTSA complaint data, the Kia Forte from 2017–2026 has 813 complaints and 14 recalls, with the engine accounting for 286 complaints. The 2017 model year has the most complaints (299), while 2024–2026 have very few. Buyers should prioritize engine inspection and recall checks. Source: NHTSA owner complaints and recall records.
- Engine complaints total 286, the highest of any component.
- The 2017 model year has 299 complaints, the most of any year.
- There are 84 crash-related complaints across all years.
- ENGINE
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- POWER TRAIN
The 2017 model year has 299 complaints, driven largely by engine problems, making it the highest-risk year.
The 2024–2026 model years show very few complaints (21 total), suggesting better reliability and fewer issues.
- Inspect engine for any signs of failure or prior repairs
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for engine, electrical, and transmission
- Have a mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
14 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017–2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 813 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
813 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
My car would not go when i gave it gas on a major highway with mu 3 children in the back seat. We almost got into a wreck.
Suspension noise over bumps
Exposed electric wires, airbag system failure codes, breaks non resistance in functional limitation of human safety. Voltage malfunction involves hazardous crash impact results
My car suddenly accelerated while I was pulling into my canopy carport causing me to crash into an old basketball goal and then the wall of my cottage. When this happened I was slowly pulling in to park when the car suddenly accelerated on its own and kept moving forward despite me pressing the brake. The RPM gauge continued to rev after the impact and the only way that I was able to make it stop was by putting the car into park and pushing the button to turn the car off. No warning lights illuminated on my dash. I have video of the incident from my security camera in my backyard.
Dealership refused to fix my safety system unint failure alont with proof of voltage malfunction
AIRBAG SYSTEM UNIT, AIRBAG SENSOR, VOLTAGE CRONIC MALFUNCTIONING POWER SUPPLY
Please see attachment:
I purchased this brand new in 2024 and about 5 months ago it started to just loose power. It almost caused me to be hit several times and the car just won’t go it looses all power and you can press the gas and it won’t go but eventually will start going again. It’s very dangerous luckily I haven’t had a wreck with me and my Infant in the car and I’ve been able to move out of the way of others.
The car shuts down on my wife multiple times now more than 10 to 15 times and most of the time it’s on the freeway few times she’s had my teenage son with her and I have three videos that I have sent to Kia but they’re refusing to move with buying the car back, saying because the dealership cannot duplicate the problem And the dealership drives the car 10 to 20 miles. I’ve stated to the dealership and to Kia factory that this car has to be driven every day like my wife who drives it so they can discover the problem they’re not going to be able to discover the problem or just drive and get 10 to 20 miles once or twice Last time I was found on my wife to take the car to the dealership on the freeway and it shut down on her on [XXX] right before the junction of [XXX] and I also have a video of that if I’m able to download it. I’ll download it for you guys. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
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 properly. It had a water pump replaced after failing to be operated for more than a week and has since continued to fail - this time for not starting at all, not accelerating properly, and losing all power while driving (switching off completely) on at least two separate occasions. The dealership stated that I should drive the vehicle and document it when it occurs again (video) to assist them with identifying the issue since they are unable to correct the malfunction. It has been at the dealership for more than a month with no definitive resolution concerning the safety of the vehicle. I refuse to drive the vehicle and am afraid that I may injured/killed in an accident due to the safety concerns aforementioned. As of today's date, 09/22/2025, my 2024 KIA Forte remains at the KIA dealership with no foreseeable actions that may lead to a safe resolution. Further: 1) Component or system failed/malfunctioned - Engine, fuel pump, water pump. 2) Is it available for inspection - Yes. 3) How was your safety or that of others put at risk - Vehicle switched off multiple times while operating in traffic and barely escaping accidents. Suffered a scrape on the passenger's door as vehicle would not accelerate and stalled in a separate incident. 4) Vehicle or component been inspected by manufacturer - Yes, at the KIA dealership again. 5) Were there any warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure - No, there were no prior warning lamps, messages, or symptoms. KIA dealership stated that the 2024 KIA Forte has been "reprogrammed", but the dealership has been unable to identify the safety issues it has. I do not feel safe to operate this vehicle nor have any family members operate it.
Car has been in several times for repair clutch assembly clutch plate, flywheel transmission, and the problem continues with shifting it does not want to go into gear it grinds even with the clutch fully to the floor. It will not go into first gear, not going to reverse intermittently and sometimes it will go from 1st to 5th third gear is missing sometimes first gear is missing this can happen at any given time shifting putting it into reverse sometimes it will not go into gear. It will just grind gears or taking off from a dead stop. It will not go into first gear. It will automatically go into third gear even though you’re putting it over and trying to put it into first gear, it will not engage in first gear. It will go to third gear and if you try to put it in a different gear, it will grind. Kia is aware of the issue with my vehicle and another vehicle that is experiencing the same problems and is unable to fix them this is an ongoing intermittent issue
The contact owns a 2024 Kia Forte GT. The contact stated that while driving approximately 25 MPH on an off-ramp and making a right turn, the lane assist feature had malfunctioned, causing the vehicle to steer and crash into the guard rail. During the incident, the passenger side of the vehicle was damaged along with the guard rail. No injuries were reported. A police report was taken at the scene, and the vehicle was driven away. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer, who was unable to determine the cause of the failure. Previously, while driving, the vehicle had experienced transmission failures, causing the vehicle to jerk and shudder while attempting to accelerate. The RMPS failed to increase over 1.5 and failed to accelerate during normal mode however, in sports mode, the vehicle performed normally. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failures. The failure mileage was 14,000.
Police report filed after the vehicle was attempted to be stolen. 3 suspects were found in the car preparing to drive off with the car using the USB method as the cord was on the floor and it is not mine amd suspects were found in the car with it running and begining to move the vehicle.
Date of Incident: [XXX] Location: [XXX] To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter to report a potential airbag malfunction involving my 2024 Kia Forte GT. On [XXX], I was the driver and sole occupant of my vehicle when I was T-boned on the driver’s side while traveling [XXX] on [XXX] at the intersection of [XXX] . The collision was severe enough to spin my vehicle and resulted in significant damage to the driver-side door and frame. Despite the force and nature of the crash, none of the airbags in my vehicle deployed—including side airbags that should have been triggered by the impact. I was later diagnosed with a concussion and sustained other physical and emotional injuries from the crash. As of the date of this complaint, the vehicle has not been repaired, and I have photos documenting the damage. Given the potential risk to other drivers who may experience similar failures, I am requesting that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration review this vehicle for airbag deployment defects. I am willing to provide photos, medical records, and further details as needed. Also, the seatbelts sometime freeze when pulling them out to get secured in the car, you have to release and then pull again to gain full access to the seat belt. There is a police report done on this matter but I do not have access to it yet because it has yet to be approved by the LRPD sergeant. We checked on July 5th, 2025. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
2 MONTHS AFTER I BIUGHT CAR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME OFF..AND WILL ONLY BE OFF IF I WOUL RELEASE GAS CAP SEVERL TIMES ETC..IN FEB 2025 THE DEALER SAID ITS 02 SENSOR I HAD IT REPLACED, 2 WEEKS LATER ITS EXACLY SAME..I HAVE READ THE CODEA AND CATALITIC CONVERTER AND EMISSION EXHAUST AND 02 SENSOR ALL FAILES..I NEED A NEW REPLACEMENT CAR, AS THIS IS A LEMON CAR..BIUGHT OIN JULY 2024 ..ALSO THEY MADE EMISSION TESTS /WINDOW STICKER FOR 2 YEARS???? BC TEHY PROBAB;Y NEW IT HAS ISSUES??? IT IS ALL VERY WEIRD
2 MONTHS AFTER I BIUGHT CAR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME OFF..AND WILL ONLY BE OFF IF I WOUL RELEASE GAS CAP SEVERL TIMES ETC..IN FEB 2025 THE DEALER SAID ITS 02 SENSOR I HAD IT REPLACED, 2 WEEKS LATER ITS EXACLY SAME..I HAVE READ THE CODEA AND CATALITIC CONVERTER AND EMISSION EXHAUST AND 02 SENSOR ALL FAILES..I NEED A NEW REPLACEMENT CAR, AS THIS IS A LEMON CAR..BIUGHT OIN JULY 2024 ..ALSO THEY MADE EMISSION TESTS /WINDOW STICKER FOR 2 YEARS???? BC TEHY PROBAB;Y NEW IT HAS ISSUES??? IT IS ALL VERY WEIRD
Headlights shut off while driving at night. The right turn signal was on and was in a right hand turn when the car hit a small dip. There was the sound that you hear when you turn on the key when the car hit the dip and the healights went off. After pulling off the road and turning on the hazard lights, tried turning the headlights off then back on several times. The parking lights seem to come on then went off. Noticed that the information screen reset and was at the setup screen. Turned the car off then restarted the car and the headlights turned on. On the freeway the tone you hear when you turn on the key sounded several times as the car went over the bumps at the overpasses where the road is subsiding. This is a rental car. No police report made. No information if problem occurred previously or if rental company had problem looked into. Problem occurred 11/16/2024
There is grinding in the gears when pressing on the gas as well as down shifting and in reverse. The car will rev high and will not shift or down shift at the appropriate time and is stuck in gear.
Hello, I'm trying to fix my front radar calibration right now but the dealership appointments is months away and I cannot wait that long and it's a hazard to be driving on the road with this being unfixed. Also, please have a vietnamese translator on call when/if you contact me by phone. Thanks!
The lane assist stopped working properly and pulled me into the guardrail
Showing 20 of 813 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact KIA Forte
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The KIA Forte has 813 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The KIA Forte has 14 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 84 of the KIA Forte's 813 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all KIA Forte vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two KIA Forte vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The KIA Forte has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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📍 Check a KIA Forte by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used KIA Forte.