Kia Forte years to avoid (and the best years)
2,531 NHTSA owner complaints and 18 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 2,531complaints
- 18recalls
- 234reported crashes
- 136reported fires
- 190reported injuries
- 12reported deaths
Which Kia Forte years should you avoid?
By NHTSA owner complaints, the Kia Forte years to avoid are 2014 and 2017. The typical Kia Forte year has 147 complaints on file.
- 2014: 440 complaints, 3.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (50% of complaints) and the steering (14% of complaints).
- 2017: 301 complaints, 2.0 times the typical year. Most complaints name the engine (52% of complaints) and the electrical system (15% of complaints).
What are the best Kia Forte years?
The Kia Forte years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2022 (26), 2020 (75) and 2018 (136). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 24 | 0.2× | 0 | 5 | 1 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2023 | 61 | 0.4× | 3 | 11 | 5 | Some concerns to check | Steering |
| 2022 | 26 | 0.2× | 1 | 3 | 2 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2021 | 67 | 0.5× | 2 | 10 | 6 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2020 | 75 | 0.5× | 0 | 9 | 6 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2019 | 147 | 1.0× | 2 | 11 | 5 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 136 | 0.9× | 3 | 13 | 9 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2017 | 301 | 2.0× | 3 | 23 | 21 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2016 | 135 | 0.9× | 1 | 16 | 13 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2015 | 259 | 1.8× | 1 | 16 | 11 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2014 | 440 | 3.0× | 3 | 32 | 29 | Approach with caution | Engine |
| 2013 | 195 | 1.3× | 5 | 16 | 17 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2012 | 291 | 2.0× | 4 | 20 | 16 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2011 | 153 | 1.0× | 3 | 28 | 35 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
| 2010 | 221 | 1.5× | 3 | 21 | 14 | Some concerns to check | Engine |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 638 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain260 (41%)
- Airbags & seat belts94 (15%)
- Steering, suspension & tires90 (14%)
- Electrical & infotainment77 (12%)
- Brakes47 (7%)
Recalls (18)
Suspension · 24V244000 · Apr 2024 · model year 2023
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 23V652000 · Sep 2023 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
An engine compartment fire while parked or driving can increase the risk of injury.
Suspension · 23V649000 · Sep 2023 · model year 2023
Front lower control arm failure can cause a sudden loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Steering · 22V906000 · Dec 2022 · model year 2023
A loss of steering control increases the risk of a crash.
Steering · 22V304000 · May 2022 · model years 2021, 2022
Loss of steering control can increase the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 22V031000 · Jan 2022 · model years 2017, 2018
Air bags that do not deploy as intended can increase the risk of injury in a crash.
Safety · 21V622000 · Aug 2021 · model years 2016, 2017, 2018
A person inside the trunk compartment may become trapped, increasing their risk of injury.
Engine · 21V260000 · Apr 2021 · model years 2017, 2018
A damaged engine may stall, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 21V164000 · Mar 2021 · model year 2021
In the event of a crash, deployment of the front passenger air bag, with a child in that seat, can increase the risk of injury to the child.
Safety · 20V750000 · Dec 2020 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
An engine compartment fire increases the risk of injury.
Transmission · 20V459000 · Aug 2020 · model year 2019
A broken driveshaft can result in a sudden loss of drive power, increasing the risk of a crash.
Exterior lighting · 18V771000 · Oct 2018 · model year 2019
If the headlights are not properly aimed, the driver may have reduced visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 18V363000 · Jun 2018 · model years 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
If the frontal air bags and seat belt pretensioners are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Brakes · 17V773000 · Dec 2017 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
If the brake light switch plunger does not retract as it should when the brake pedal is not being pressed, the brake lights may stay illuminated preventing accurate communication to following vehicles that the vehicle is slowing or stopping. Additionally, if the brake switch plunger is not retracted, then the transmission can be shifted out of PARK without depressing the brake pedal. Either condition increases the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 16V312000 · May 2016 · model year 2013
If a retaining plate breaks during a crash, pieces of the plate could strike the occupants, increasing risk of injury.
Transmission · 16V070000 · Feb 2016 · model year 2011
If enough transmission fluid leaks out, the transmission may not function properly and the vehicle may stop moving, increasing the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 15V015000 · Jan 2015 · model year 2014
If the cooling fan resistor overheats and melts, there is an increased risk of a vehicle fire.
Exterior lighting · 13V114000 · Apr 2013 · model year 2010
Failure to illuminate the stop lamps during braking or inability to disengage the cruise control could increase the risk of a crash. Additionally, when the ignition is in the 'ON' position, the transmission shifter may be able to be moved out of PARK without first applying the brake. This may lead to unintentional movement of the car which may increase the risk of a crash.