Complaints by model year
Each bar is one model year. The most recent years are still collecting complaints.
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026
New York safety inspections
Share of first inspections failed on safety, by model year. Older cars fail more as miles build up, so compare each year with the average car of the same year. Best against its own year: 2024.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections, initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
Year by year
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 Forte | 26 | 0 |
| 2023 Forte | 65 | 3 |
| 2022 Forte | 28 | 1 |
| 2021 Forte | 69 | 2 |
| 2020 Forte | 78 | 0 |
| 2019 Forte | 149 | 2 |
| 2018 Forte | 136 | 3 |
| 2017 Forte | 305 | 3 |
| 2016 Forte | 136 | 1 |
| 2015 Forte | 260 | 1 |
| 2014 Forte | 444 | 3 |
| 2013 Forte | 195 | 5 |
| 2012 Forte | 292 | 4 |
| 2011 Forte | 154 | 3 |
| 2010 Forte | 221 | 3 |
| 2009 | 1 | 0 |
A model year gets its own page when it has enough data for at least three sections
Most common problems
- Engine1,130
- Electrical system325
- Unknown or other324
- Air bags294
- Power train218
- Exterior lighting178
- Steering166
- Service brakes156
NHTSA ODI complaints, all model years
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 901 Forte vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died, and 601 people died inside them. These are counts, not crash rates: a model with more cars on the road shows up more often, and people killed outside the vehicle are not counted here.
| Model year | Vehicles in fatal crashes | Deaths in the vehicle |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 1 | 0 |
| 2023 | 26 | 20 |
| 2022 | 23 | 14 |
| 2021 | 85 | 77 |
| 2020 | 75 | 50 |
| 2019 | 97 | 56 |
| 2018 | 96 | 57 |
| 2017 | 116 | 81 |
| 2016 | 92 | 59 |
| 2015 | 67 | 39 |
| 2014 | 56 | 34 |
| 2013 | 31 | 23 |
| 2012 | 52 | 42 |
| 2011 | 34 | 24 |
| 2010 | 50 | 25 |
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain) · how we count
Crash-test ratings by year
NHTSA 5-star results for 14 model-year variants; 4 of 14 rated variants score five stars overall. Rollover risk is the estimated chance of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Year | Variant | Overall | Rollover risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2024 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2023 | 2023 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2022 | 2022 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2021 | 2021 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2020 | 2020 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2019 | 2019 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.7 % |
| 2018 | 2018 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2017 | 2017 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2016 | 2016 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2015 | 2015 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★★ | 10.3 % |
| 2014 | 2014 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2013 | 2013 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2012 | 2012 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
| 2011 | 2011 Kia Forte 4 DR FWD | ★★★★☆ | 10.3 % |
NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), api.nhtsa.gov · US federal work, public domain
Fuel consumption by year
Official Canadian test results for 15 model years, best variant per year. Combined consumption ranges from 6.9–8.3 L/100 km.
| Year | Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.0 | 7.2 |
| 2023 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.2 | 6.0 | 7.2 |
| 2022 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 5.9 | 7.0 |
| 2021 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.8 | 5.9 | 6.9 |
| 2020 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 5.9 | 7.0 |
| 2019 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.7 | 5.9 | 6.9 |
| 2018 | Forte (MPI) · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.0 | 6.1 | 7.1 |
| 2017 | Forte (MPI) · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 7.9 | 6.3 | 7.2 |
| 2016 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.9 | 6.1 | 7.6 |
| 2015 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 8.8 | 6.1 | 7.6 |
| 2014 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.4 | 8.0 |
| 2013 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.6 | 8.1 |
| 2012 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.6 | 8.1 |
| 2011 | Forte · Mid-size · Regular gasoline | 9.3 | 6.7 | 8.1 |
| 2010 | Forte · Compact · Regular gasoline | 9.4 | 7.0 | 8.3 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
In New Zealand
8 Forte cars are on the New Zealand register; 100% arrived as used imports.
| Model year | Registered | Sold new in NZ | Used imports |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 0 | 6 |
| 2014 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
New registrations in Europe
8 new Kia Forte cars registered in the EU, Norway and Iceland between 2010 and 2022, from the European Environment Agency's CO₂ monitoring of every new car. In 2022 the largest markets were Spain (3).
| Year | New cars | CO₂ g/km |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 124 (WLTP) |
| 2020 | 2 | 182 (WLTP) |
| 2012 | 2 | — |
| 2010 | 1 | — |
Averages are weighted by registrations; CO₂ is the type-approval value (NEDC until the WLTP switch). European Environment Agency, CO₂ emissions from new passenger cars · re-use permitted with acknowledgement
EU safety alerts
Safety Gate, the European Union's rapid alert system, names the Forte in 1 alert. European versions can differ from the North American car.
Due to a manufacturing error, the engine might overheat due to fuel or oil leaks and subsequently break down. This may endanger the following traffic and can cause a fire. The product does not comply with the Regulation on the approval and market surveillance …
Safety Gate (European Commission) · CC0
Recalls
18 campaigns cover the Forte; the latest 12 are below.
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.
Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2010-2019 Borrego, 2014-2016 Cadenza, 2010-2013 Forte, Forte Koup, Sportage, 2015-2018 K900, 2011-2015 Optima, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, Soul, 2012-2017 Rio, 2011-2014 Sorento, and 2010-2011 Rondo vehicles. The Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) may experience an electrical short, which can result in an engine compartment fire while parked or driving.
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.
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.
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.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Sedona, Soul, Soul EV, 2017-2018 Forte, and 2017 Forte Koup vehicles. The Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) cover may contact a memory chip on the printed circuit board and damage the electrical circuit. Circuit damage may result in deactivated air bags that will not deploy in a crash.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Forte 4-door, Forte Koup 2-door, and 2018-2019 Rio 4-door vehicles. The trunk latch may become damaged, preventing the opening of the trunk from the inside. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 401, "Internal Trunk Release."
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Forte vehicles equipped with a 2.0L Nu MPI engine. Foreign particles may stick inside the oil pump, which may cause an oil pump failure and engine damage.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2021 Telluride, K5, and Forte vehicles. The Occupant Classification and Detection System (OCS/ODS) unit may not detect the presence of a child restraint system in the front passenger seat. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2012-2013 Sorento, 2012-2015 Forte and Forte Koup, 2011-2013 Optima Hybrid, 2014-2015 Soul, and 2012 Sportage vehicles. An engine compartment fire can occur while driving.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Forte vehicles. The left front axle driveshaft may not have been heat-treated, which can cause it to break.
Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2019 Kia Forte vehicles equipped with LED headlights. The headlights may not have been manufactured with the correct low beam aiming. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
NHTSA recalls