AI DamageKIA Forte: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the KIA Forte across 9 model years: 861 owner complaints and 269 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 35% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 15% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 12% of all complaints
- 4 Exterior lighting 9% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 8% of all complaints
- 6 Steering 6% of all complaints
- 7 Fuel/propulsion system 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 5% of all complaints
- Engine: 304 complaints (35% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 55.
- Electrical system: 126 complaints (15% of all), 11 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 270.
- Powertrain: 105 complaints (12% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 97.
- Exterior lighting: 74 complaints (9% of all), 5 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Air bags: 66 complaints (8% of all), 46 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 1.6 L · petrol · turbo · 4 cyl 2014–2024named in 1 complaints
- 1.8 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2014–2016
- 2 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2010–2024named in 7 complaints
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2010–2013
- automatic, 4-speed 2010
- automatic, 5-speed 2010
- automatic, 6-speed 2011–2018
- CVT 2019–2024named in 4 complaints
- dual-clutch (DCT), 7-speed 2017–2024named in 2 complaints
- manual, 5-speed 2010named in 2 complaints
- manual, 6-speed 2010–2024named in 2 complaints
Drive: FWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 861 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 304 | 7 | 55 |
| Electrical system | 126 | 11 | 270 |
| Powertrain | 105 | 4 | 97 |
| Exterior lighting | 74 | 5 | 13 |
| Air bags | 66 | 46 | 0 |
| Steering | 55 | 11 | 36 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 51 | 3 | 3 |
| Vehicle speed control | 42 | 5 | 7 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 41 | 2 | 14 |
| Structure | 30 | 9 | 83 |
| Service brakes | 29 | 5 | 34 |
| Engine and cooling | 28 | 0 | 113 |
| Visibility | 19 | 1 | 28 |
| Lane departure | 19 | 3 | 6 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
I was recently hit by another driver, i had to go to the hospital but for some reason the airbag did not deploy. I need some assistance
Suddenly, the vehicle bounced up and down, pulled over and crashed into a railing, and the driver was forced to stop the vehicle using the parking brake. The driver was unable to maintain steering control due to the severe pulling to the right.
During a basic collision Avoidance maneuver performed by myself on the highway at speed of aprox 60MPH the steering suddenly became non-responsive, resulting in my inability to maintain directional control and cause a collision. The vehicle continued traveling before coming to its final resting position.
There were no warning lights or messages what so ever ahead of the accident. A claim with the insurance was filed and also a complaint with the Kia manufacturer was filed. At this time no one has accessed the damages of the vehicle, State Farm has the vehicle at this time.
I was driving in a road, when a female deer appeared out of the trees and bushes from the right shoulder of the road. I tried not to hit it but but the deer got in my way. I hit the deer and quickly moved over to the right shoulder. The whole front right of the vehicle was destroyed and the airbags did not open.
The contact stated that while driving at 45 MPH, the steering wheel locked independently, causing the vehicle to veer off the road into a construction site. The contact stated that the air bags did deploy. The contact stated that she sustained noise and neck injuries, including placenta rupture, causing early labor.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Exterior lighting. Headlamps, leveling, sensors and mounts after a frontal hit.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
- PRODUCT IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN
- VOLUNTARY EMISSIONS SERVICE CAMPAIGN
- TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
- CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- Kia Forte Common Repairs & Average Costs (2010–2018)
- 2020 Kia Forte front corner assembly after an accident.#autobody#car#collision #restoration#diy#kia
- 2022 Kia Forte GT-Line CRASH | AUTOBODY, Quality Control, & Delivery
- 2024 Kia forte strut replacement #automobile #mechanic #kia #diy #automotive #howto #shorts
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.