NHTSA Data Explorer

Kia Forte

Data refreshed August 27, 2026

Select a model year to filter results to that year of the Kia Forte.

Complaints

2,521

Active records

Recalls

18

Active records

TSBs

460

Active records

Filing history

Monthly totals over the last 20 years. Click a legend item to show or hide that series.

Reported severity

Based on consumer complaints filed since 2000. Recalls and TSBs do not include severity data.

Deaths

12

Injuries

190

Crashes

233

Fires

135

Top reported issues — Kia Forte

Click a category to expand its values.

Operating state

804

Noise

651

Condition issue

624

Reporting mechanism

523

Engine behavior

507

Performance issue

341

Safety restraint issue

322

Fluid issue

269

Thermal issue

261

Safety restraint behavior

195

Lighting behavior

187

Vibration/harshness

141

Transmission/drivetrain behavior

138

Driver assistance issue

128

Braking behavior

114

Starting behavior

100

Steering behavior

98

Electrical issue

94

Smell

84

Access/entry issue

68

Powering on/off behavior

49

Recent change

44

Ride/handling behavior

33

Infotainment behavior

25

HVAC behavior

24

Wiper/washer behavior

10

Communication/network issue

4

Electrified system issue

2

Recent filings

The 10 most recent filings for each type.

2023 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 24, 2026


Electrical system failed while operating vehicle on major highway. All lights flashed, system shut off, power steering locked up.

2020 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 23, 2026


Engine burning excessive oil over a quart in 1000 miles. Catalytic converter code P0420 because of the excessive oil burning. Oil was always changed within the specified dealer milage range.

2016 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 21, 2026


When I have the windows down, I can see the headrest flapping in the wind. I took the cover off and discovered that the styrofoam had broken in half. I used foam adhesive to bind it together. Once again, windows down and the headrest is still flapping in the wind. Look underneath the cover and this time the Styrofoam is broken into multiple pieces.

2022 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 20, 2026


AC is not blowing cold air even after replacing refrigerant. Mechanic says the compressor has failed, even though the car is only a few years old and has never been involved in any major incidents.

2017 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 20, 2026


See attached document for complaint.

2020 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 20, 2026


I experienced a check engine light and had the vehicle diagnosed with codes P0017 and P0014. The vehicle was taken to a Kia dealership, where the technician found that the exhaust camshaft was free-spinning without the phaser and that the pin connecting the two had sheared. The dealership replaced the exhaust camshaft and phaser and released the vehicle as repaired and operating normally. Less than 24 hours after pickup, the check engine light returned during normal driving. While returning…

2014 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 12, 2026


The systems affected appear to be engine, powertrain, and vehicle speed control. My 2014 Kia Forte, VIN [XXX] has approximately 118,000 miles. Since purchase in November2025 from Wondries Toyota, the vehicle has had repeated high RPM, poor acceleration, and loss of power when entering freeway on-ramps and driving uphill. It struggles to accelerate while merging into faster traffic, creating a safety risk as vehicles behind approach at higher speeds. Two different mechanics verbally advised…

2016 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 10, 2026


My 2016 Kia Forte had a recall that was never performed and I was never told anything about the car fax or any recalls from where I got the car from, it needs a engine repair.

2023 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 9, 2026


The right front lower control arm has completely broken/fractured during operation. Kia has previously issued safety recalls SC283 (NHTSA 23V649) and SC306 (NHTSA 24V244) for this exact vehicle model year due to improperly manufactured right front lower control arms that can crack and fail. My vehicle was manufactured in March 2023 (03/23), which is just prior to the official April 12, 2023 recall window. Because the component suffered the precise, catastrophic structural failure described in…

2023 KIA FORTE

Filed Aug 6, 2026


The A/C compressor field coil assembly failed on my 2023 Kia Forte. The air conditioning system is completely inoperative. The vehicle is currently [at my residence / at the dealership - specify location] and the component is available for inspection upon request. 1 This is a documented issue. Kia issued Technical Service Bulletin #048 (Revision TSB_CLI048_R1, dated November 18, 2022) for 2019–2023 Kia Forte models, which specifically identifies a defective A/C compressor field coil assembly…

Data sourced from NHTSA's public datasets. Issue classifications are generated by Repair Surge. About this data.

Updated August 27, 2026. Refreshed nightly.